The Bay Area Reporter has published a curated list of over 20 arts and nightlife events taking place from May 21 to May 29. The article serves as a local guide, highlighting a range of cultural activities including visual art exhibitions, performances, and nightlife gatherings in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph, New Jersey, is hosting a Summer Art Exhibition featuring works by students from its Summer Portfolio and Presentation course. A reception was held on June 20 at the Learning Resource Center on CCM’s campus. The exhibition showcases selected pieces by students including Susan Harrsch, John Lyssikatos, Lia Scherr, Sarah Sci, Kevin Testa, and Allison Zavaleta, who completed the course designed to prepare Fine Art and Design students for careers or further study.
The 'Remembering' exhibition at Kiripost in Phnom Penh showcases contemporary artworks that revive and celebrate Cham culture, a minority ethnic group in Cambodia. The show features paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media pieces by local artists who draw on Cham traditions, textiles, and historical narratives to preserve and reinterpret their heritage.
On May 7, the community gathered at Jodi House Gallery for a reception and awards ceremony hosted by Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, celebrating the 23rd Annual Student Art Show. High school students from Carpinteria to Goleta submitted 120 pieces interpreting the Santa Barbara Channel, with 50 selected for the show. Awards were juried by Meagan Stirling, Associate Professor of Art at Westmont College. First place went to Aricin Marshall for his ceramic sculpture *Tide Bound – Hollister Ranch*, second to Josefa Olivio for *Channel Islands Fox*, and third to Jocabed Carranza for *After the Tide*. The Environmental Ethic Award was given to Maria Rojo for *Insufferable Freedom*, and the Juror’s Choice Award to Madeline Adler for *Sea Life vs. Pollution: The Ongoing Battle*. Honorable mentions included Sophia Lam, Alejandro Miranda, and Camila Sandoval.
Nine students received awards at Jamestown Community College’s Juried Student Art exhibition, which opened recently in the Weeks Gallery on the Jamestown Campus. Winners included Tala Abuhmeidan (Outstanding Achievement in Painting), Alyson Danielson (President’s Award), Nicole Ford (Excellence in Sculpture), Rachel LeRoy (Distinguished Body of Work), Jack Lingenfelter (Innovation in New Media), Jessica Olson (Juror’s Award for Excellence), Zoe Pike (Excellence in Ceramics), Olivia Reynolds (Excellence in Drawing Practices), and Courtney Runge (Distinguished Work in Photography). The exhibition features works from students at JCC’s Jamestown and Cattaraugus County campuses across media including painting, drawing, prints, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and digital media. Jurors included JCC Art faculty Madison LaVallee, Nathan Jeffery, Mark Kirsch, Brenna Turner, and Tom Makovitch.
Western Spirit Museum, Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, partnered with the Arizona Art Education Association to present a Youth Art Month exhibition from March 15 to March 28, 2025. The show featured 109 original works by students in kindergarten through 12th grade from 22 schools across Arizona, spanning multiple mediums and styles. The exhibit concluded with a student artist reception on March 28, drawing families, educators, and community members. Teachers submitted student artwork, which was reviewed and selected by the Arizona Art Education Association Youth Art Month board.
The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian, in collaboration with Museums on Main Street, has launched its nationally touring exhibition "Americans" at the Cornell Creative Arts Center in Kingston, New York. Kingston is the first of 125 communities across the country to host the exhibition, which will travel for six years as part of the Rev250 commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. The exhibition explores how Native American history and identity have been portrayed and often misunderstood, challenging visitors to reconsider familiar narratives like Pocahontas, the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and the Trail of Tears through interactive elements and digital content.
Bangkok's Give.Me.Museums presents 'Art Anything Else?', a major exhibition by the artist KOMM after a four-year hiatus. The show transforms the museum into an interactive playground with over nine zones, including massive sculptures, an immersive room, a tactile flower playground, and a collaboration with Choco Project where desserts are served on painter's palettes. Visitors can also purchase exclusive merchandise such as Fujifilm cameras and frame magnets. The exhibition runs until May 30, with tickets priced at 200 Baht.
A new community-led exhibition called Wild Art Exhibition 2026 will take place at Railworld Wildlife Haven in Peterborough from May 24 to 31. Organized by Community Clickers, Peterborough Together Project, and Peterborough Embroidery Society in collaboration with the venue, the show features work from local amateur artists, photographers, and makers, all inspired by the theme of nature and wildlife. The exhibition will open with a car show on May 24, presented with support from Abandoned City Camo Crew, blending art and automotive culture.
The Pulitzer Arts Foundation in St. Louis is hosting its monthly First Fridays event on May 1, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. During this time, museums and galleries in the Grand Center Arts District offer free admission and extended hours, with the Pulitzer featuring its current exhibition "Dialogues & Conversations" and a cash bar on the Mezzanine. The event is free and open to the public, with accommodations available upon request.
A new community-led exhibition called 'Wild Art Exhibition 2026' will take place at Railworld Wildlife Haven in Peterborough from May 24 to 31. Organized by Community Clickers, Peterborough Together Project, and Peterborough Embroidery Society, the event features amateur artists, photographers, and makers from the area, showcasing works inspired by nature, wildlife, and the environment. The exhibition opens with a classic car show on May 24, presented in collaboration with Abandoned City Camo Crew.
The I’M SO ATL public art campaign is launching in May 2025 to transform Atlanta city parks into a "living, breathing art gallery" through large-scale installations, leading up to the ARTlanta Festival of Culture in Piedmont Park from August 7–9, 2026. Organized by spokesperson Yamileth Jaramillo, the initiative includes an open call for 1,000 artists, partnerships with Atlanta Parks and Recreation and other city agencies, and a social media campaign inviting residents to share what "I'm so ATL" means. Art will remain on display through November 2026.
Cameron University's senior art show is currently on display, featuring a range of works from graduating art students. The exhibition showcases the diverse expressions and creative journeys of the artists as they conclude their undergraduate studies.
The Yahara Journal is hosting a celebration on May 1 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Truax Gallery to mark the opening of its student art show and the release of its latest book. The art show, featuring 70 pieces by 31 student artists including photographs, paintings, and ceramic works, will be on display from April 29 through May 15. During the event, the journal will honor the 44 students featured in the new edition and invite attendees to read from their work. Free copies of the book will be available at the celebration, with additional copies at the Student Life Office and branch campus offices.
Cal Poly Humboldt's Reese Bullen Gallery will host the 2026 Art Graduates Exhibition from April 22 to May 16, 2026, showcasing work by graduating art majors and minors. The exhibition features ceramics, painting, photography, printmaking, small metals, sculpture, and digital arts, with an Awards Presentation on April 30. The gallery, established in 1970 and named after a founding art professor, is located on the university campus.