Casa Romantica Will Present THROUGH THE DECADES: ARTISTS THAT SHAPED THE FESTIVAL OF ARTS

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens in San Clemente, California, will present an exhibition titled "Through the Decades: Artists That Shaped the Festival of Arts." The show highlights the work of artists who have participated in the Festival of Arts, a longstanding local art event, tracing its evolution across different decades. The exhibition aims to showcase the diverse artistic styles and contributions that have defined the festival over time.

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.

‘Currents’ multimedia installations portray Schuylkill River in new art exhibit at Fairmount Water Works

Martha McDonald will perform original songs on a glass armonica at the Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia as part of 'Currents,' a new multimedia art exhibit. The show features installations by 10 local artists that animate the historic water system's underground corridors, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Works include a 3D animation timeline of the Schuylkill River by Nadia Hironaka and Matthew Suib, photographic pieces by Julianna Foster, and an installation by Taji Ra’oof Nahl addressing water and honey bees. The exhibit runs through Aug. 8.

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.

Sonoma Valley Museum of Art opens two new exhibits celebrating the queer identity

The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art has opened two new exhibitions celebrating queer identity, memory, and community. "John Paul Morabito: Dancing in the Night" features large-scale woven works by transdisciplinary artist John Paul Morabito, using linen, cotton, gold-leaf threads, and beadwork inspired by queer history, resistance, and celebration. The second exhibition, "Norma I. Quintana: Paradise of Memory / Paraíso de la Memoria," presents a portrait series by photographer Norma I. Quintana that examines memory, identity, and cultural heritage, recreating hand-painted backdrops from her family's photographs to honor her community. Both exhibitions run through September 6.

The Navy and the painters: a splendid exhibition of maritime paintings at the Navy Museum - photos

The Navy Museum in Paris is hosting a major exhibition titled "The Navy and the Painters" from May 13 to August 2, 2026, featuring nearly 150 paintings spanning the 17th to 20th centuries. The show traces the evolution of maritime art and the French Navy's history, with works by artists such as Manet, Signac, and Le Lorrain, alongside a special section on the Navy's Official Painters (POM) with 84 contemporary works.

3 to See: Stroll Morikami; Explore Boca history; Hands-on art projects

The article highlights three cultural destinations in Palm Beach County, Florida, as part of the MOSAIC (Month of Shows, Art, Ideas and Culture) celebration in May. Visitors can enjoy discounted admission to Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, free admission to the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum, and reduced entry to the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum in Boynton Beach, which hosts a weekly "Artist of the Week" series with hands-on art activities for families.

Inside the UAE Pavilion at Venice Biennale, a whisper becomes a portrait of a nation

The UAE Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale presents 'Washwasha,' an exhibition curated by Bana Kattan with assistant curator Tala Nassar. The show features six artists—Mays Albaik, Jawad Al Malhi, Farah Al Qasimi, Alaa Edris, Lamya Gargash, and Taus Makhacheva—whose works explore the concept of whispering in Arabic, encompassing oral history, language, rumor, and daily noise. Installations include glass sculptures, sound-based pieces from barbershops and farms, and a reconstructed hammam installation by Al Malhi that plays recordings of wedding rituals. The exhibition runs until November 22.

Meet artist Sanya Kantarovsky as he creates an immersive world in a Venetian palazzo

Sanya Kantarovsky presents 'Basic Failure,' an exhibition of paintings, ceramics, and a glass sculpture at Palazzo Loredan in Venice, running concurrently with the Venice Art Biennale 2026. The show features haunting, figurative works that resist linear narrative, drawing on themes of religion, history, philosophy, and human emotion, with the artist describing his intuitive, fragmentary approach to composition.

Venice Biennale previews in chaos, overshadowed by Israeli and Russian participation

The Venice Biennale previews have descended into chaos, with the event overshadowed by controversies surrounding Israeli and Russian participation. Protests and disruptions have marked the lead-up to the prestigious international art exhibition, as demonstrators voice opposition to the inclusion of Israel amid the Gaza conflict and Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. The situation has created a tense atmosphere, drawing significant media attention and complicating the Biennale's usual celebratory preview period.

Art, war and memory: Military History Museum marks May 6 with exhibition

The National Museum of Military History in Bulgaria will open an exhibition titled “Created in War, Preserved through Art” on May 5, marking the Day of Bravery and the Bulgarian Armed Forces as well as the museum’s 110th anniversary. The exhibition transports visitors to 1916, during World War I, when the museum was founded to preserve the memory of the Bulgarian Army, and highlights how Bulgarian artists participated in an international exhibition in Berlin that year, with many of their war-inspired works later acquired by the Ministry of War to form a major art collection.

Live Arts Program “1922 Revisited” Opens May 5th to Kick Off Preview Week, 61st Venice Biennale 2026

Third Space Art Foundation will present “1922 Revisited,” a live arts program curated by Dr. Janine A. Sytsma, from May 5–9, 2026 in Venice, Italy, during the preview week of the 61st Venice Biennale. The program brings together ten international artists to engage with the 1922 Venice Biennale exhibition of African sculpture through performances, a film screening, and a panel discussion, staged at venues including Hotel Monaco and the European Cultural Centre’s Marinaressa Gardens.

This Day in History, 1986: A Gianthropologist documents Expo 86 at new Surrey Art Gallery exhibit

The Surrey Art Gallery in British Columbia is presenting a new exhibition titled "In the Shadow of the Pavilions: Expo 86 and Contemporary Art," running from April 18 to June 7, 2026. The show features over 50 artists, including a project by Michael de Courcy who took 1,700 photos of Expo 86 visitors, and works by Henri Robideau, a self-described 'Gianthropologist' who photographed giant roadside attractions across Canada in the 1980s.

'Artistic Gems from the Past' exhibit coming to Friedman Art Gallery

Penn State Wilkes-Barre's Friedman Art Gallery will open a new exhibit titled "Artistic Gems from the Past" on May 1, featuring artwork by current and former students, including pieces created over 25 years ago. The exhibit includes works from two courses taught by Jonathan Pineno—Art History 112 and Integrative Arts 001—where students created art using recycled materials and techniques inspired by Bob Ross. Unattributed works from the 1990s are also on display, and the gallery is asking the public to help identify the original student artists.

L.A.'s $1 Billion Lucas Museum Has Revealed Inaugural Exhibitions For This Year's Opening — Curated By George Lucas Himself

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles has announced its 18 inaugural exhibitions ahead of its September 22, 2026 opening. The $1 billion, 100,000-square-foot museum in Exposition Park will feature 32 galleries curated personally by George Lucas, including a dedicated Cinema space showcasing the Lucas Archives with original concept art, costumes, and props from Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Unlike traditional museums, the exhibitions are organized by emotion and storytelling themes such as Adventure, Childhood, Fantasy, and Romance, rather than by time period or artist.

This free exhibition celebrates the Monogram’s 130th anniversary with a selection of exceptional trunks in Paris.

To mark the 130th anniversary of Louis Vuitton's Monogram canvas, the Parisian auction house Gros & Delettrez is hosting a free exhibition of rare travel trunks and accessories from May 18 to 20, 2026. The display features iconic pieces including two expedition bed trunks (one from 1911 with the initials 'B.B.'), a library trunk, a desk trunk, and other travel innovations designed between 1880 and 1930, all before they go up for auction on May 21.

‘Time and Tide’ exhibition reveals Petaluma River through local artists’ eyes

The Petaluma Historical Library and Museum is hosting 'Time and Tide,' a multimedia exhibition running through June 6 that explores the Petaluma River and its wetlands through 90 works including watercolors, photographs, poems, and sketches. The show, subtitled 'An Artful Exploration of Petaluma’s Wetlands,' opened April 9 and features contributions from local artists such as Leslie Ihrig, Zoe Caron, Dan Rogers, David Tomb, Marion Hatcher, and Sonoma County Poet Laureate Dave Seter, alongside taxidermy from the Petaluma Wildlife Museum and a video presentation.

Artists celebrate ‘overlooked beauty’ of Severnside town

An art exhibition titled 'overLOOKed' opens tomorrow at Luggs Farm in Sharpness, Gloucestershire, featuring works by eight artists inspired by the Sharpness Dock area. Curated by mixed media artist Lynda Knott, the show runs from Thursday until Bank Holiday Monday and is part of the Severn Vale Art Trail, supported by the Canal and River Trust. Artists include Angela Williams, Clare Stephens, Grant Sonnex, Lynda Knott, Nick Quirke, Martin Clarke, Shirley Sharp, and Zachary Knott, with a guided 'Mindful Photography' walk scheduled for May 2nd.

Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art highlights dynamic spring exhibition season

The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs, Florida, has launched a dynamic spring 2026 exhibition season featuring four shows that highlight regional artists and student creativity. Exhibitions include "Richard Heipp: Reliquaries & Artifacts" (through July 26), which uses hyper-realistic paintings to explore how museums shape cultural memory; "Dallas Jackson: Unsung Heroes, The Fabric of America" (through June 14), a mixed-media tribute to overlooked community figures; and "David Anderson: Now and Again" (through June 14), presenting eight newly acquired works never before publicly exhibited. The season also includes student-focused programming from kindergarten through middle school.

Dallas' African American Museum reopens with iconic Sepia photo exhibit

The African American Museum in Dallas reopens on May 1 after temporary renovations, featuring the exhibition "People Who Make the World Go ‘Round: The Legacy of Sepia Magazine." The show highlights influential Black icons such as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Maya Angelou, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Thurgood Marshall through photographs from the museum's archive of over 40,000 images. Sepia magazine, founded in Fort Worth in 1946, chronicled Black life and culture for nearly four decades, offering a Southern perspective that rivaled national publications like Ebony and Jet.

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.

A Loft with Past Lives Gets an Owner Making a New One

Jessica Helfand, an artist, has purchased and moved into a loft in an industrial building, beginning a new chapter in a space with a layered history. The article details how she transformed the loft to suit her artistic and personal needs, blending its industrial past with her creative vision.

The Audacity of Art at the Obama Presidential Center

Barack and Michelle Obama commissioned 30 artists to create site-specific works for the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago's South Side, which begins visitor previews next week. The commissioned artworks span multiple media and will be integrated throughout the campus, reflecting the Obamas' commitment to public art and community engagement.

REINTERPRETATIONS BY DEMIAN FLORES OF VIOLENCE MYTH AND REPRESENTATION

Mexican artist Demián Flores presents "America. New Visions from the Old World," a graphic arts exhibition at the Instituto Cultural de México in Madrid. The show features forty works that reinterpret 16th-century engravings by Theodor de Bry, whose images of Indigenous peoples—ranging from idealized noble savages to violent cannibals—shaped European perceptions of the Americas. Flores draws on his earlier series "Collateral Disasters" (2012), inspired by Goya's "The Disasters of War," to critique how colonial visual narratives constructed otherness and justified violence.

A GLIMPSE INTO FERNANDO MAZA S SURREAL WORLD AT THE MAR MUSEUM

The exhibition "The Construction of Painting," organized by the National Museum of Fine Arts, opened at the MAR Provincial Museum of Contemporary Art in Mar del Plata, Argentina. It traces the career of Argentine visual artist Fernando Maza (1936–2017) through more than 50 paintings and watercolors, curated by Pablo De Monte. Maza, who studied under Raúl Podestá and was part of the Informalist Movement alongside Alberto Greco and Kenneth Kemble, lived in New York, London, and Paris. The show features works that blend metaphysical painting with surreal atmospheres, using objects like staircases, arches, and linguistic signs to create enigmatic landscapes.

EL SALVADOR MAKES ITS DEBUT AT THE VENICE BIENNALE WITH ITS OWN PAVILION

El Salvador will debut its own national pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale, running from May 9 to November 22, 2025. The exhibition, titled "Cartographies of Displacement," features the sculptural series "Children of the World" by Salvadoran-American artist J. Oscar Molina, curated by Alejandra Cabezas and commissioned by Dr. Astrid Bahamond. The pavilion is located at Palazzo Mora, showcasing Molina's elongated, faceless monumental figures that explore the migrant experience and global diaspora.

If You're Wondering Where to Go With Kids... Experiential Events at Museums and Art Galleries Nationwide

The Korean Museum Association, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the ICOM Korea Committee, is hosting "2026 Museum and Art Gallery Week" throughout May to commemorate International Museum Day on May 18. The event features 16 special exhibitions and experiential programs from 18 institutions nationwide, organized under three main themes: "Museum×Enjoy," "Museum×Stroll," and "Museum×Meet." Participating venues include Kyo-dong Art Museum, Gyeonggi Provincial Children's Museum, Savina Museum of Contemporary Art, and others, offering hands-on activities, educational content, and community-based programs for children and families.

A Genova riapre dopo un lungo restauro la Torre Grimaldina. La visita al belvedere di Palazzo Ducale

The Torre Grimaldina, a medieval tower in Genoa's Palazzo Ducale, has reopened after extensive restoration and safety upgrades funded by Italy's PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan). Built in the late 13th century as a symbol of municipal power, the tower later served as a prison for political dissidents, including Risorgimento patriots and anti-fascist activists, as well as the violinist Niccolò Paganini. The restoration has preserved historic graffiti and inscriptions left by inmates, while reopening the tower's belvedere offering panoramic views of the city.

A new cultural space that works on the memory of the city (also through postcards) has been born in Rome

A Roma è nato un nuovo spazio culturale che lavora sulla memoria della città (anche attraverso le cartoline)

A new cultural space called URBS has opened in Rome's Testaccio district, founded by architect Andrea D'Antrassi in collaboration with Giovanni Colombara. The space debuted in 2024 as "The Smallest Museum by URBS," a 20-square-meter venue housing over 1,600 historical postcards of the city, creating a visual archive spanning different eras. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, such as the current show "Not Mine, Not Yours" by Iranian artist Mehrdad Shadrooh, curated by Barbara Blasi, which draws from a family video-photo archive covering over eighty years of history. A commercial space has also been opened in Trastevere.