Inside Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at the Venice Biennale

Saudi Arabia's national pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale features a new installation by Saudi-Palestinian artist Dana Awartani titled "May your tears never dry, you who weep over stones." Curated by Art Jameel's director Antonia Carver and assistant curator Hafsa Alkhudairi, the work comprises over 29,000 handmade clay bricks arranged in intricate mosaics referencing 23 threatened cultural heritage sites across the Arab world, including Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine. The installation, which took more than 30,000 labor hours with 32 artisans, has become a crowd favorite since the biennale opened on May 9.

Photo gallery: Fine Arts Fiesta opens in Wilkes-Barre

The 70th annual Fine Arts Fiesta opened on Thursday, May 14, 2026, on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and runs through Sunday. The event features artists, crafts, entertainment, and music, with headliners including the Phil Giordano Jazz Orchestra and Doug Smith & The Dixieland Band. A tribute to the late trumpeter Bobby Baird Jr. is scheduled, and eight local dance companies will perform at the F.M. Kirby Center. During the opening ceremony, Wilkes-Barre official George Brown presented a proclamation and key to the city to Fine Arts Fiesta board president Ann Saxton, executive director Brian Benedetti, and second vice president Gina Malsky.

Minnesota Marine Art Museum celebrates two new collections with weekend events

The Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona is hosting a "Spring New Look Weekend" from Friday through Sunday to celebrate two new collections. The first, "Myths & Legends of Minnesota: An Exhibition of the Minnesota Plein Air Collective," features 43 paintings by 32 artists created outdoors across the state, focusing on folklore, oral traditions, and waterways. The second, "Gordon Coons: Gidibaajimomin / We Tell Stories," showcases 18 new works by Ojibwa artist Gordon Coons, along with earlier pieces and examples of Woodland Style art from Norval Morrisseau and Sam Ash. The weekend includes plein air painting demonstrations, a printmaking activity with Coons, meet-the-artist tours, and an evening social.

Manitowoc Rahr-West offers monthly summer gallery tours with experts

The Rahr-West Art Museum in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, is offering free, monthly drop-in gallery tours throughout summer 2026, led by museum staff and guest experts. Tours include sessions on the art of David Roberts, recent acquisitions, salon-style installations, and a local artists exhibition, with no registration required. Additionally, docent-led tours of the historic Vilas-Rahr Mansion will be available on Thursdays from June through September.

'Cheaper parcel post and paintings' at 1301SW, Melbourne, Australia on 23 May–27 Jun 2026

The article describes an upcoming exhibition titled 'Cheaper parcel post and paintings' at 1301SW gallery in Melbourne, Australia, running from 23 May to 27 Jun 2026. The exhibition is listed on Ocula.com, an art platform, though the full article text is blocked by a security verification page, preventing detailed reading of the show's content or artists involved.

Photo Gallery: The artists behind UTRGV’s senior art exhibition ‘sonder’

The article is a photo gallery showcasing the senior art exhibition 'sonder' at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). It features the work of graduating art students, highlighting their individual projects and creative processes as part of their final academic showcase.

The Flash

Artist and educator Diego Romero is opening a new gallery called Rayo del Alma in Santa Fe, located at 130 W Palace Avenue. The space, which has been in planning for decades, will feature works by local artists including Maggie Hanley, Donica Dominguez, Oriana Lee, and Marie Maez, alongside Romero's own multimedia photography. The gallery also offers vintage Western wear, jewelry, prints, and stickers, aiming to reflect the collaborative and artisanal spirit of New Mexico. Romero, a Las Vegas, New Mexico native with a background in multimedia and digital media, draws inspiration from his grandfather, who taught him photography with a 35mm Mamiya camera. His practice focuses on nighttime sky shots printed through an aluminum process, capturing the movement of the cosmos in still images.

Collagraph prints exhibition begins at Kaalnee Art Studio

A ten-day collagraph printmaking exhibition opened on Wednesday at Kaalnee Art Studio in Rayer Bazar, Dhaka. The exhibition features 19 prints by 14 artists, created during a four-day workshop led by UK-based Bangladeshi artist Zaman Md Fakruzzaman and coordinated by Tarek Amin, jointly organized by Kaalnee Art Studio and the East London Academy of Art. Notable artists including Abul Barq Alvi, Nisar Hossain, Shishir Bhattacharya, Saifuddin Ahmed, Rashid Amin, and Tarek Amin attended the opening ceremony.

Fashion in all its majesty: the Haute Couture exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs unfolds — our photos

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris opens "Fashion in Majesty: Haute Couture and Tradition at the Thai Court" from May 13 to November 1, 2026. The exhibition features over a hundred garments, accessories, and textile pieces from the Thai royal family's collections, focusing on how Queen Sirikit modernized Thai ceremonial dress while preserving traditional codes through her collaboration with Pierre Balmain and Maison Lesage. The show also highlights the work of the SUPPORT Foundation, established by Queen Sirikit to safeguard traditional crafts, and the ongoing legacy carried by Queen Suthida and Princess Sirivannavari.

Creativity as Curation

Yalin Hu, a Creative Director, has led several international exhibition projects over the past year, including "Infinite Weave" during New York Design Week (NYCxDESIGN Festival), the online exhibition "Unraveling" during London Design Festival, and "Touching the Void" at The Blanc Gallery in New York. In May 2026, she will lead "Becoming" at Artech Space in New York. Hu approaches each project as a complete creative system, focusing on theme development, spatial structure, audience journey, and cross-media integration, blending art, design, digital technology, and public experience.

SMC Emeritus Annual Student Art Exhibition 2026 – Part 1, Opening Celebration in Emeritus Gallery May 14

The Santa Monica College (SMC) Emeritus Art Gallery will host the SMC Emeritus Annual Student Art Exhibition 2026 – Part 1 from May 14 to June 19, with a free opening reception on May 14 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The exhibition features works by 47 student artists from SMC's noncredit Emeritus program for older adults, which was founded in 1975 and serves over 3,000 students annually. Due to high participation, the exhibition is split into two parts, with Part 1 displayed in the gallery and Part 2 opening online on June 11.

Muskegon Museum of Art Announces ‘HerStory of Animation: Mary Blair & Beyond’ Exhibit

The Muskegon Museum of Art has announced a new exhibition titled 'HerStory of Animation: Mary Blair & Beyond,' premiering June 6 through September 27. The show redefines animation history by highlighting the contributions of women animators and artists, from early pioneers like Helena Smith Dayton and Lotte Reiniger to contemporary figures. Curated by Mindy Johnson, the exhibition features production artwork, studio artifacts, rare imagery, films, and newly uncovered research spanning over a century of innovation.

Before We Knew Better or We Should All Know Better

The article reviews "Before We Knew Better," a group exhibition at Elise Seigenthaler Gallery featuring artists Sarah Bedford, Day Brièrre, Josiah Ellner, and Léa LeFloc'h. The critic reflects on the show's thematic framing around narrative, folklore, and personal mythology, while expressing frustration with its open-endedness and lack of clear intent. Specific works are discussed, including Ellner's psychedelic unicorn paintings, LeFloc'h's enigmatic works on paper, Bedford's nocturnal flowers, and Brièrre's intricate ceramics, though the critic notes the installation does not always serve the pieces well.

The Venice Biennale of Art has begun! The pavilions you should not miss this year

The Venice Biennale of Art has officially opened, showcasing national pavilions and exhibitions from around the world. The article highlights key pavilions that visitors should prioritize this year, offering a curated guide to the most notable presentations at the prestigious international art event.

AlUla Arts Showcases More than 20 Artists at 61st Venice Biennale

A contemporary art fair called "This is Normal" has been held in Kyiv, Ukraine, during wartime, organized by the Art Kyiv fair. The event features over 20 Ukrainian artists and galleries at the Lavra Gallery, deliberately avoiding any direct reference to the war in its booths or artworks. Organizers and participants describe the fair as a space for cultural continuity and psychological respite, where art helps people make sense of a reality shaped by missile strikes and loss.

At TEFAF New York, Lesser-Known Artists Delight

At TEFAF New York, held at the Park Avenue Armory, the art fair known for its European roots showcased a range of works. Our critic highlights five lesser-known artists who stood out, offering fresh perspectives that cut through the traditional art-world star system.

Six Unforgettable Artists at the Biggest Independent Fair

The article reports on the return and expansion of a major independent art fair, now located on the far side of Chinatown. It highlights six standout artists whose works are featured at the fair, emphasizing the event's stylish and curated atmosphere.

Best Booths at Frieze, the Workhorse of Contemporary Art

The article highlights standout booths at Frieze New York, held at the Shed, featuring 65 galleries. It notes a dominant presence of paintings alongside a surprising array of small sculptures, offering a curated look at the fair's most compelling presentations.

A Primer on Buddhist Monuments

The New York Times Art section published a primer on three architecturally significant Buddhist stupas (reliquary mounds) located in Nepal, Thailand, and Taiwan. The article highlights the distinct design and cultural importance of each monument, serving as an educational overview for readers interested in Buddhist architecture.

Spotlighting the Woman Who Brought European Modernism to California

The article spotlights Galka Scheyer, a largely overlooked figure who introduced European modernism to California in the early 20th century. A new exhibition in Pasadena brings her story to the foreground, highlighting her role in championing artists who later became famous.

How to See Rare Books in London

The New York Times Art section has published a guide to viewing rare books in London, covering illuminated manuscripts, antique tomes, and first editions available at various venues across the British capital. The article provides practical advice for accessing these collections, including details on public viewing hours, special exhibitions, and notable institutions that house rare book holdings.

In Cleveland, Smokers Are Helping to Keep the Arts Alive

A novel cigarette tax in the Cleveland area has generated $270 million for cultural organizations, funding everything from museums to performing arts venues. The tax, designed to support the arts while discouraging smoking, has become a significant revenue source for the region's cultural sector.

Announcement

Air de Paris, a highly influential Parisian gallery known for representing many of the most significant contemporary artists, has become one of the earliest supporters of Contemporary Art Daily's parent organization, Contemporary Art Library. The announcement, made by Contemporary Art Daily, highlights Air de Paris's pioneering role in elevating the gallerist's activities into a form of artistic expression, and positions the gallery as a model for the entire field.

Iran’s Participation in the Venice Biennale Still Uncertain

Iran’s participation in the 61st Venice Biennale remains uncertain after a public contradiction emerged between the Biennale Foundation and Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance (MCIG). The Biennale Foundation had announced that Iran would not participate in the 2026 edition, curated by Koyo Kouoh, but Aydin Mahdizadeh Tehrani, director general of visual arts at the MCIG and commissioner of the Iranian Pavilion, stated in an interview with the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) that Iran never submitted a withdrawal letter. Instead, Iran requested more time and sent a letter on May 10 asking for the pavilion to open even if ineligible for prizes. Mahdizadeh Tehrani cited the US-Israel war with Iran as causing currency fluctuations that nearly tripled projected costs, complicating prior agreements, and noted that Iran had proposed a shorter exhibition period, which the Biennale rejected.

DE AZAMBUJA S FOUNDATION INTERVENTION AND REFLECTION AT LA CASA ENCENDIDA

La Casa Encendida in Madrid has opened "Fundación," a site-specific sculptural installation by Brazilian artist Marlon de Azambuja. The work transforms one of the building's central towers into a walk-through sculpture, curated by Bruno Leitão. Using materials and gestures that modify existing architecture, the installation explores the concept of "founding" as a search for foundational knowledge, questioning divisions between reason and sensation while positioning the exhibition space as an experiential environment. The piece is on view until September 27, 2026.

The Language Beyond the Human in the Surprising Polish Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale. The Interview

Il linguaggio oltre l’umano nel sorprendente Padiglione Polonia alla Biennale di Venezia 2026. L’intervista

The Polish Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale presents "Liquid Tongues," a project by artists Bogna Burska and Daniel Kotowski, curated by Ewa Chomicka and Jolanta Woszczenko with the collective Choir in Motion. The installation eschews spectacle for a subtle, immersive exploration of language beyond the human voice, incorporating sign language, underwater immersion, choreography, and whale songs to destabilize conventional communication.

Working in Art: Opportunities from Museo Novecento, Giudicesse 2030, Premio Combat and Fondazione Club Silencio

Lavorare nell’arte: opportunità da Museo Novecento, Giudicesse 2030, Premio Combat e Fondazione Club Silencio

This article from Artribune compiles five current job and grant opportunities in the Italian art world. It highlights a crowdfunding campaign by Museo Novecento for Agnese Galiotto's artwork "Sogni" in Empoli, an open call for the fourth edition of the Giudicesse 2030 residency for filmmakers and video artists in Sant'Antioco, a call for artists using AI from Associazione culturale 360° Creativity Events for PARMA 360 Festival, a paid internship at Blob Art ETS for Premio Combat in Livorno, and a search for a project manager by Fondazione Club Silencio ETS.

Roma insiste sulla rigenerazione urbana: Stefano Boeri trasforma un ex deposito di bus in oasi verde per uffici, commerci e cultura

Stefano Boeri Architetti has been commissioned to transform a former ATAC bus depot in Rome's Prati-Delle Vittorie district into a multifunctional hub called Depositi delle Vittorie. The project, owned by the family behind the Fondazione Memmo, will convert the 16,000-square-meter disused site into a mixed-use complex featuring commercial, cultural, and leisure spaces, along with a 8,000-square-meter rooftop park suspended 15 meters high that will host art installations. Construction is set to begin in late 2027 and conclude by 2030.

Torna TAILOR. Ecco come abbonarsi alla newsletter di Artribune sulla cultura del vestire

TAILOR, the vertical newsletter from Artribune exploring the intersections of art and fashion, returns on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The upcoming issue focuses on "Science Fashion," an event held from May 13 to 15 at the MACRO – Museo d'Arte Contemporanea di Roma, curated by Dobrila Denegri, which investigates relationships between fashion, science, and new technologies. The newsletter also examines the rapid spread of the non-color white in fashion and design as a response to pandemic, crisis, and geopolitical tensions, offering analytical content for professionals, students, and enthusiasts.

A Roma il popolare quartiere Quadraro ospita un festival d’arte diffuso. Il programma

The IPER Festival delle periferie returns to Rome's Quadraro neighborhood for its fifth edition, titled "Super Lieux (Super luoghi) Periferie. Storie e geografie." Running until May 31, the festival features conferences, roundtables, study days, talks, exhibitions, and performances. A highlight is "Überlagerungen," a diffuse art review curated by Spazio Y that animates the Quadraro Vecchio district on May 16 with actions, installations, and shows from 4 PM to 11 PM. Participating venues include Spazio Kina, vineria Moggio, and osteria Grandma, with works by artists such as Lucia Bricco, Giulio Cassanelli, Felice Levini, and many others.