St. Mary’s College Professor Of Art Sue Johnson Reveals D.C. Gallery Exhibition

Sue Johnson, professor of art at St. Mary's College, is presenting her second solo exhibition at gallery neptune & brown in Washington, D.C., titled “Blueprint for Happiness.” The show runs from May 16 through June 20, with an opening reception on May 16. Johnson debuts a new series, “My Teenage Years,” which builds on her earlier “Symmetrical Bodies” work and examines the pressures on women to conform to ideals of happiness and perfection in body image and domestic spaces, drawing on 1960s-70s material and commercial culture.

Shaniqwa Jarvis: Only Love Can Break Your Heart

Artist Shaniqwa Jarvis is set to debut her first UK solo exhibition, "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," at London’s Public Gallery on April 30, 2026. The show features twelve new works that blend photography with silk, mirrored surfaces, aluminum, and collage to explore themes of grief, memory, and renewal. Central to the exhibition are immersive silk installations that create live double exposures and a new film work that weaves together personal archival footage with intimate conversations on motherhood, labor, and identity.

Santa Monicas 1st Municipal Art Gallery To Open Soon

The City of Santa Monica is launching its first municipal art gallery, the Santa Monica City Gallery, located within the Bergamot Station Arts Center. The space will debut on April 10 with an inaugural exhibition titled “Case Study: Adapt,” which features architectural models developed by USC Architecture students in collaboration with professional firms. The opening event will include remarks from California for the Arts Executive Director Julie Baker and a commendation for State Senator Ben Allen.

art fair conductor powerhouse arts new york

Conductor Art Fair made its debut at Powerhouse Arts in Gowanus, Brooklyn, with a VIP preview night on April 29, ahead of its public run from April 30 to May 3. Led by Powerhouse Arts President Eric Shiner and Fair Director Adriana Farietta, the event drew over 800 guests, featuring installations by Juan Jose Barboza-Gubo, House of Silence by Vuslat, and Sana Frini, along with 28 gallery exhibitors and 20 special projects. A performance by Grammy-nominated artist Lido Pimienta highlighted the evening, and the fair showcased works by numerous artists and gallerists.

design salone del mobile 2026 milan raritas

Salone del Mobile 2026 in Milan debuted a new curated section called Salone Raritas, tucked into Pavilion 9 of the fairgrounds. Conceived by fair editorial and cultural director Annalisa Rosso with exhibition design by Formafantasma, the selective showcase brought together 28 exhibitors from 32 countries, featuring rare collectibles, antiques, limited editions, and high-end craft. Highlights included Saudi design house Zaza Maison, Marseille gallery 13desserts, Italian gallery Serafini with works by Indian designer Karan Desai, and live ceramic assembly by Officine Saffi Lab. Formafantasma’s sustainable design used reusable wooden dividers and drilling-free hanging systems.

Nella Tenuta Todini in Umbria sta per aprire un parco di sculture d’arte contemporanea. Le immagini

A new contemporary sculpture park, Parco Sculture Todini, is set to open on May 23 within the Tenuta Todini estate in Collevalenza, near Todi, Umbria. The debut features two site-specific works: "VITE" by Matteo Attruia, which plays on the double meaning of vine and lives, and "Tempus Mirabilis" by Silvia Ranchicchio, a reflective environmental sculpture that changes with light and seasons. The park is curated by Massimo Mattioli and supported by the Arvedi steelworks of Terni and entrepreneur Luisa Todini.

Un’importante collezione tedesca d’arte per la prima volta in mostra in Italia a Venezia

The Kelterborn Collection, a German private collection focused on video art and experimental installations, will be exhibited in Italy for the first time at Venice's Contemporary Forces platform from May 7 to September 27, 2026. The exhibition, titled "Who’s a good boy??," is curated by Anastasia Stravinsky and Mario von Kelterborn in collaboration with IKT – International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art, and features works by twelve artists including Joseph Beuys, Gary Hill, Laure Prouvost, and Ulay. The show aligns with the theme of the 61st Venice Biennale, exploring power "in minor keys."

Kunsthaus Paradiso is Born in Venice: Italian Art Has a Home, Despite the Biennale

Nasce a Venezia la Kunsthaus Paradiso: l’arte italiana ha una casa, malgrado la Biennale

A new project called Kunsthaus Paradiso has opened in Palazzo Molin Querini in Venice, running from May 4 to May 31 in conjunction with the Venice Biennale. Founded by curator Caroline Corbetta, the initiative evolved from her earlier Crepaccio project (2012–2016) in Milan and the Padiglione Crepaccio, which debuted at the 2013 Biennale Arte curated by Massimiliano Gioni. Kunsthaus Paradiso focuses on Italian and Venice-based artists—including Thomas Braida, Fabio De Meo, Caterina Rossato, Ornella Cardillo, Alessandro Miotti, Melania Fusco, Mauro Campagnaro, Marta Spagnoli, Barbara De Vivi, Spazio Punch, Giorgio Andreotta Calò, Mattia Sinigaglia, and the collective Scafandra—offering a platform for emerging and local talent during the Biennale.

The Milan fair dedicating an entire day to reflecting on the state of Italian art: 8 straight hours of conversations

A Milano la fiera che dedica un’intera giornata per riflettere sullo stato dell’arte italiana: 8 ore filate di conversazioni

The debut edition of Paris Internationale in Milan, scheduled for April 2026 at Palazzo Galbani, will feature a marathon eight-hour symposium titled "Aperto Italia." Organized in collaboration with the Fondazione Nicola Trussardi and curated by Massimiliano Gioni, the event brings together 35 international galleries and a significant roster of Italian artists. The program is designed as a continuous cycle of conversations to address the current state of contemporary art in Italy, paying tribute to the late Flash Art publisher Giancarlo Politi.

Artist and former boxer Omar Hassan exhibits his powerful gestures in Rome

L’artista ed ex pugile Omar Hassan che è in mostra a Roma coi suoi gesti forti

Artist and former boxer Omar Hassan has debuted his first solo exhibition in Rome, titled "Tempo al Tempo," at Galleria Latina. The showcase features large-scale works from his "Breaking Through" series, where Hassan uses boxing gloves to strike canvases, alongside a massive map of Rome constructed from nearly 9,000 hand-painted spray can caps. The exhibition emphasizes the physical trace of time and action, blending street art aesthetics with the energy of action painting.

April 2026 at the Theater: A Guide to Must-See Events in Italy (Including Dance)

Aprile 2026 a teatro: guida agli appuntamenti da non perdere in Italia (anche sulla danza)

Italy’s April 2026 performing arts season features a diverse lineup of major theatrical premieres and experimental adaptations. Highlights include the Italian debut of Annie Baker’s Pulitzer-winning 'Circle Mirror Transformation' directed by Valerio Binasco, and a dark comedy by Ariel Dorfman titled 'The Other Side' exploring the absurdity of war. Other notable productions include Armando Punzo’s non-traditional 'Cenerentola' (Cinderella) moving from a high-security prison setting to the Teatro della Pergola, and a dedicated retrospective for Daria Deflorian at Milan’s Piccolo Teatro.

A new book series is born, bringing together the world of art and fairy tales

È nata una nuova collana di libri che tiene insieme il mondo dell’arte con quello delle fiabe

Rome-based publisher Bummy Edizioni has launched a new book series titled "Fiabe d’Arte" (Art Fairy Tales), which merges famous artworks with classic folklore. The debut title, "Gli stivali di Vincent" (Vincent's Boots), written by Beniamino Sidoti and illustrated by Ericavale Morello, reimagines the story of Puss in Boots within the world of Vincent van Gogh. In this narrative, the talking cat encourages the artist to express his inner emotions through painting, blending biographical elements with fantasy.

Contemporary Gallery Debut Events

Hearts Gallery made its debut on May 2, 2026, in Los Angeles with an exclusive group exhibition at Modern Multiples, a historic print studio in Chinatown. The opening attracted artists, collectors, celebrities, and style leaders from fashion, film, and contemporary art, featuring works by Richard Duardo, Erika Galvez, Julian Prolman, Shepard Fairey, Ed Ruscha, Chaz Bojorquez, Estevan Oriol, and others, while celebrating Modern Multiples' legacy with icons like Diana Ross, Madonna, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, and RuPaul.

Inside Richie Shazam’s Debut Solo Show in Texas

Multidisciplinary artist Richie Shazam has launched her debut solo exhibition, "I Was Never Meant to Survive This," at the McLennon Pen Co. gallery in Austin, Texas. The show features 39 new works that blend photography, sculpture, and set design, utilizing found objects, hair, and flowers alongside Shazam’s own body as a primary subject. The collection represents a deeply personal exploration of her Guyanese heritage, trans identity, and the community that has supported her journey from New York City to the international stage.

Twelve Exhibitions, One Looming Question: Bard Student Curators Take on the Meaning of Now at Hessel Museum

The Hessel Museum at Bard College has launched its annual spring exhibition season, featuring twelve distinct curatorial projects titled "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today." Organized by graduating students from the Center for Curatorial Studies (CCS), the showcase serves as a professional debut for an emerging cohort of curators. The projects range from solo retrospectives of under-recognized artists like Brazilian painter Maria Auxiliadora Silva to explorations of feminist art history through the work of A.I.R. Gallery co-founder Anne Healy.

Leading Art Gallery Opening in Landmarked Aspen Block Building

M.S. Rau, the 113-year-old New Orleans-based gallery specializing in fine art, antiques, and jewelry, has signed a long-term lease to open a permanent second location in Aspen’s historic Aspen Block Building at 307 S. Galena Street. The new two-level, 2,200-square-foot space is set to debut in January 2026, featuring works by Renoir, Picasso, and Magritte, alongside pieces from luxury houses such as Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Fabergé, and Cartier. The expansion follows a successful seasonal pop-up in Aspen last year and marks the gallery’s first year-round secondary location since its founding in 1912.

Newsmakers: Founders of Chicago’s Neighbors Fair on ‘Focusing on Quality over Quantity’

A new satellite art fair called Neighbors will debut in Chicago this April, timed to coincide with Expo Chicago. Founded by collector Mirka Serrato and dealer Jonny Tanna, the fair will take place inside a historic Gold Coast apartment, featuring a small, tightly curated selection of galleries from cities including London, New York, Chicago, and Dallas.

the art angle art basel roundup

Artnet News editor Kate Brown hosts a podcast roundtable with three gallerists ahead of the 2025 edition of Art Basel in Basel, Switzerland. The fair features over 200 galleries and is set against a backdrop of a softening art market, with declining sales and cautious demand. The guests are Robbie Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick Gallery (who also founded the Art Basel Social Club), Lisa Offermann of LC Queisser (with spaces in Tbilisi and Cologne), and Freddie Powell of Ginny on Frederick (making its Art Basel debut). The discussion focuses on the challenges and strategies for emerging and mid-tier galleries selling works under $250,000.

Fátima González Doesn’t Want You to Shy Away From Asking Your Art Questions

Fátima González, founder of Mexico City-based gallery Campeche, recounts her journey from working the front desk at Kurimanzutto to opening her own gallery. After earning a graduate degree at the School of Visual Arts in New York and returning to Kurimanzutto in sales, she left in February 2020, just before lockdown. During the pandemic, she planned her gallery, found a space in one day, and opened with a group show of all-women artists from Mexico City. Campeche is now making its Frieze New York debut.

Vian Sora: Tepe Gawra

Vian Sora’s solo exhibition "Tepe Gawra" at Bortolami Gallery marks her debut with the gallery, featuring a series of large-scale paintings that bridge ancient Mesopotamian history with contemporary Iraqi experience. The works, such as 'Celestial capsule' and 'Scarlet', utilize a complex layering process of poured acrylics and precise oil applications to explore themes of mortality, survival, and the aftermath of conflict.

Walk through UAE’s first contemporary art exhibition dedicated to the Urdu language

The Ishara Art Foundation in the UAE has launched 'Urdu Worlds,' the region's first contemporary art exhibition dedicated to the Urdu language. Curated by Hammad Nasar, the show features a visual dialogue between the late Indian-born artist Zarina and Pakistani multimedia artist Ali Kazim. The exhibition showcases Zarina’s delicate woodcut prints, including her seminal 'Home is a Foreign Place,' alongside an expansive survey of Kazim’s paintings, sculptures, and his new 'Alphabets' series, marking his institutional debut in West Asia.

Kid Cudi Debuts ‘Echoes of the Past’ Documentary Spotlighting His Visual Art Journey

Kid Cudi announced the debut of his documentary 'Echoes of the Past' on Instagram, revealing his transition into visual art under the painting persona Scotty Ramon. The film, directed by Joshua Charow and produced by MADSOLAR, explores Cudi's fine art journey and features an original score by the artist. A corresponding exhibition, also titled 'Echoes of the Past,' will open at Ruttkowski;68 in Paris on January 30, running through early March.

Artist Explores Desire, Power, And Objectification Through A BDSM Lens In New Solo Exhibition

Swedish-born, Brooklyn-based artist Helena Calmfors presents 'Floral Disciplines,' her debut solo exhibition at The Untitled Space gallery in New York, on view from October 23 to November 7, 2025. Curated by Indira Cesarine, the show features watercolors, photography, and performance that explore queer identity, eroticism, and power through the visual language of BDSM, blending floral imagery with fetish iconography to challenge patriarchal and heteronormative frameworks.

JD Malat Gallery brings Paris-based artist Sophie-Yen Bretez to Dubai

JD Malat Gallery Dubai is presenting *The Unsaid Remains Remembered*, the debut solo exhibition in the Middle East by Paris-based artist Sophie-Yen Bretez. The show features large-scale canvases that move beyond the human figure to explore landscapes, domestic objects, and natural motifs, using symbolic thresholds like windows, tables, clocks, and fruit to evoke memory, silence, and transformation. Bretez describes her approach as a 'dramaturgy of passage,' capturing unseen moments when time overlaps and absence carries presence.

Detroit’s first fair, Season, revs up for inaugural edition

Detroit will host its first contemporary art fair, Season, from 25-28 September at Michigan Central, the city's renovated former train station. The fair debuts with 11 galleries and a special exhibition featuring ten local artists, evolving from Detroit Art Week, which was launched in 2018 by curator and entrepreneur Amani Olu. Olu, a collector himself, reimagined the festival as Season to fill a gap in the local cultural landscape, offering affordable booth costs of $2,500 and an online viewing room. Participating galleries include four from Michigan, four from New York City, and one each from Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Toronto, alongside talks, studio visits, and large-scale installations.

In pictures: meet the newcomer galleries debuting at Art Basel

Art Basel has unveiled its lineup of newcomer galleries for the upcoming fair, featuring seven emerging and rediscovered artists from around the world. The debutants include Kyiv-based Sana Shahmuradova Tanska, whose monumental painting addresses the war in Ukraine; Japanese textile artist Junko Oki, showing embroidered vintage garments; and Italian feminist poet Mirella Bentivoglio, represented by a participatory tree sculpture. Other highlights include Parisian Ndayé Kouagou's video work on mass media, conceptual feminist Tina Girouard's wallpaper pieces from the 1970s, London-based Alexandra Metcalf's deconstructed grandfather clocks, and Georgian artist Nika Kutateladze's installation about rural depopulation. The galleries presenting these artists are Gunia Nowik Gallery (Warsaw), Kosaku Kanechika (Tokyo), Repetto Gallery (Lugano), Nir Altman (Munich), Anat Ebgi (Los Angeles), Ginny on Frederick (London), and Gallery Artbeat (Tbilisi).

Independent art fair adjusts as market slows

The Independent art fair in New York, running until 11 May, features 85 exhibitors—its largest edition yet—with 26 solo debuts. Amid a slowing art market, galleries are adjusting pricing strategies, with a notable increase in works priced between $10,000 and $20,000, which now account for about one-third of offerings. Several galleries reported strong sales during the VIP preview, including Long Story Short selling six works by Keita Morimoto and Ricco Maresca Gallery selling out its vintage board game collection for a six-figure sum. Co-founder Elizabeth Dee noted that VIP registrations were up 30% year-over-year, and dealers like Charles Moffett deliberately chose established artists to match collector comfort levels.

Paris Internationale Milano Names Participating Galleries for Inaugural Edition

The Paris Internationale art fair has announced the 34 galleries and nonprofits participating in its inaugural Milan edition, set for April 18-21 at the Palazzo Galbani. The event, known for its intimate, gallery-led model, will feature each participant showing only one or two artists.

Morocco debuts at the Biennale with an exploration of its age-old craft traditions

Morocco is debuting its first national pavilion at the Venice Biennale with a monumental installation titled "Asetta" by artist Amina Agueznay. The 300-square-meter site-specific work, located in the Arsenale, draws on centuries-old Moroccan craft traditions, including weaving, beadwork, and embroidery. Agueznay conducted field research across Morocco and collaborated with over 130 artisans, mostly women, some of whom she has worked with for decades. The installation explores the transmission of traditional craftsmanship and shared memory, and incorporates the concept of the threshold (âatba) from Moroccan vernacular architecture, offering visitors both an immersive experience and functional seating.

154-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Fossil Debuts in the U.K.—But Its Species Remains a Mystery

A remarkably complete 154-million-year-old theropod fossil, nicknamed Juliasaurus, has made its public debut at the Hollytrees Museum in Colchester, U.K. Discovered in Wyoming’s Morrison Formation in 2020 and sold by the David Aaron gallery to a private collector, the 20-foot-long specimen is currently part of the “Discover: Museum Wonders” exhibition. While initially thought to be an Allosaurus or Marshosaurus, unique anatomical features in its skull and pelvis suggest it may represent an entirely new species.