Opening of Museum of West African Art in Nigeria delayed after protests

The official preview weekend of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, Nigeria, was disrupted on Sunday when a group of protestors broke into the main building. Over 250 invited guests, including donors and diplomats, had gathered for a cultural program featuring the exhibition "Nigeria Imaginary: Homecoming," which was an expanded presentation of the Nigerian Pavilion at the 2024 Venice Biennale. The protestors, wearing red hats, blocked access, shouted accusations about former governor Godwin Obaseki, and forced their way inside, leading to the indefinite cancellation of remaining events. MOWAA subsequently announced a postponement of public opening events, citing the protests and misconceptions about its role, while welcoming a presidential committee to resolve related matters.

In pictures: p(art)y people at the Frieze London VIP preview

Celebrities and art world figures gathered at Regent’s Park in London for the VIP preview of Frieze London 2025. The event featured appearances by arts broadcaster Kate Bryan, artists Young In Hong, Kimsooja, David Shrigley, Thomas J Price, Elsa James, Larry Achiampong, Michael Landy, Gillian Wearing, and Ryan Gander, alongside curator Fatoş Üstek, curator Zoé Whitley, architect Kulapat Yantrasast, model Claudia Schiffer, and musician Neil Tennant. Photographs by David Owens captured the scene.

Euan Uglow monograph offers a fresh perspective through memoirs, papers and contributions

Andrew Lambirth's new book, *The Uglow Papers*, takes an unconventional approach to the monograph on British painter Euan Uglow (1932-2000). Instead of a traditional narrative, Lambirth compiles around 30 personal memoirs, papers, and contributions from friends, students, and colleagues—gathered through interviews, phone calls, emails, and letters. These firsthand accounts, paired with a concise introduction and a glossary of names, offer intimate recollections of Uglow's rigorous studio practice, his teaching methods, and his social life, including details about his Sunday night open houses and shared meals. The book also traces Uglow's artistic development from his studies at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts and the Slade School of Fine Art, through his mentorship under William Coldstream, to his own distinctive geometric and emotionally charged works like *The Diagonal* (1971-77) and *Pyramid* (1993-96).

valentino new york art week tefaf

Valentino CEO of the Americas Daniel Paltridge and CULTURED Editor-in-Chief Sarah Harrelson hosted a dinner at Casa Tua New York to celebrate the opening of TEFAF New York art fair. The private event gathered collectors, curators, and exhibitors, including Komal Shah, Dana Farouki, Kinga Lampert, Away founder Jen Rubio, TEFAF Executive Committee President Hidde van Seggelen, and exhibitor Lucas Ratton, for conversation and Italian cuisine.

The exhibition of the great artist Lucy Orta in a recovered historic palace in Sansepolcro

La mostra della grande artista Lucy Orta in un palazzo storico recuperato a San Sepolcro

British artist Lucy Orta has unveiled a site-specific installation titled "Trame di Comunità" at CasermArcheologica in Sansepolcro, Tuscany, following an artist residency. The work features five tents constructed from hand-woven vintage linen and hemp, inspired by the protective imagery in Piero della Francesca’s "Polyptych of Mercy." These structures are embroidered with the faces of local residents and adorned with 99 terracotta amulets, incorporating oral testimonies and personal reflections gathered from the community during Orta's stay.

Peep the Wildest Costumes of This Year’s Easter Bonnet Parade

New York City’s Fifth Avenue was transformed into a vibrant public gallery on April 5, 2026, for the annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival. Participants gathered outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral to showcase elaborate, hand-crafted headpieces ranging from Eduardo Escobar’s rotating 'Trip to the Moon' hat to Shayna Strype’s hot-air balloon ensemble. The event featured a diverse array of creators, including climate-conscious artist Cristian Pietrapiana and mixed-media sculptor Gail Trunick, who utilized the street as a stage for avant-garde millinery and performance art.

food martha stewart alison roman king borgo

On a cold January evening in Tribeca, 85 people gathered at TIWA Select, an art gallery five stories above Walker Street, for "Stories to Savor," a fundraiser for 826NYC. The event blended readings, a dinner party, and a fundraiser, featuring a lineup of New York food luminaries including Martha Stewart, Alison Roman, Missy Robbins, Andrew Tarlow, and Annie Shi. Participants read food-themed essays and poems written by former 826NYC students, while chef Woldy Reyes prepared a Filipino-inspired feast. The evening was emceed by New Yorker writer Naomi Fry and co-host Kristen Naiman of The RealReal, with guests including fashion designer Ulla Johnson and artist Simone Bodmer-Turner.

Penang Welcomes Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery, A New Beacon Of Cultural Diplomacy

The Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery officially opened in Penang, Malaysia, at The Light Waterfront in Gelugor, with a ceremony attended by the Governor of Penang, Tun Dato’ Seri DiRaja Ramli Ngah Talib, and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Founded by acclaimed artist Professor Lin Xiang Xiong, the gallery debuted with a private preview of "The Vicissitudes of Life," an exhibition of 99 artworks addressing war, pollution, and poverty. The event gathered artists, government officials, business leaders, and academics, highlighting Penang's ambition to become an international cultural destination.

Artists and businesses shine at Lompoc’s First Thursday Art Walk

Downtown Lompoc hosted its monthly First Thursday Art Walk, transforming the area into an open-air gallery where artists, residents, and visitors gathered for an evening of creativity. Highlights included a live letterpress demonstration by Angelina LaPointe of Side Car Press at New Lows, local vendors at Fortified Tattoo, and a make-and-take craft project at Cypress Art Gallery. The event drew community members to venues such as Jupiters Spark Collection and Bella Florist.

Nasa’s Orion spaceship four days into Artemis II mission: in pictures

NASA's Orion spacecraft, carrying the four-person crew of the Artemis II mission, is four days into its journey to orbit the moon. The mission marks the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years and is a critical test for NASA's deep space exploration systems.

Eid al-Fitr at Lakemba mosque in south-western Sydney – in pictures

Thousands of worshippers gathered at Lakemba Mosque in south-western Sydney to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. The event, one of Australia's largest Eid gatherings, saw families and individuals congregating at dawn for prayers and community festivities.

heritage experts call for international task force to oversee palmyra restoration

Heritage experts, international officials, and Syrian residents gathered in Switzerland for the first comprehensive conference on restoring the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra since the end of Bashar Al Assad's regime. Organized by UNESCO and the Aliph Foundation, the group recommended establishing an international expert task force to remove Palmyra from UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger. Rehabilitation efforts will focus on the Palmyra museum, restoration of artifacts at the Damascus Museum, and repair of the footbridge, with work expected to begin in January 2026.

protest sparks over sijena murals

A small protest of fewer than 50 demonstrators, organized by the Catalan National Assembly and joined by former Catalan president Laura Borràs and ANC president Lluís Llach, gathered outside the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) on Monday morning as Aragonese technicians arrived to inspect a set of contested 13th-century Romanesque murals. The murals, originally from the Sijena Monastery, were ordered returned by Spain’s Supreme Court after more than a decade of litigation, concluding that the original religious order never lawfully transferred ownership after the works were removed in 1936 following a fire during the Spanish Civil War. The inspection team, led by restorer Natalia Martínez de Pisón, began with less fragile sections using photogrammetry to assess transport viability, while MNAC officials warn that moving the more delicate frescoes could cause irreversible damage and plan to formally contest the execution order on conservation grounds.

Jaime Vallardo Chavez Announces International Exhibitions

Jaime Vallardo Chavez, known as 'El Artista de las Monedas Mundiales,' has announced a series of international exhibitions across Peru, France, Italy, and Colombia, alongside the launch of his traveling museum initiative 'Cruzada y museo itinerante del Continente Americano el Bicentenario de America.' The exhibitions include venues such as Museo Amano in Lima, the Bienal de Biarco in Colombia, the Salon d'Automne in Paris, the MAXXI National Museum in Rome, the Naval Museum of the Caribbean in Cartagena, and the Carrousel du Louvre. The traveling museum project, developed during the pandemic, commemorates bicentennial anniversaries of independence across the Americas and has gathered over 600 participating artists.

Ashfika Rahman's art lands in New York Times Critics' Top 6

Bangladeshi visual artist Ashfika Rahman has been recognized by The New York Times as one of the six must-see shows at the Venice Biennale, with her work "Than Para — No Land Without Us" featured in the collateral exhibition "Still Joy — From Ukraine into the World." The installation, presented by the PinchukArtCentre and curated by Björn Geldhof and Oleksandra Pohrebnyak, incorporates thousands of small temple bells gathered from different spiritual traditions and draws on testimonies from Ukraine as well as the struggles of Indigenous communities in Bangladesh's Hill Tracts.

Monkton Arts in Ryde hosts Island artist showcase exhibition until May

Sixteen artists from the Isle of Wight have gathered at Monkton Arts in Ryde for a comprehensive group exhibition showcasing the region's creative breadth. Running through May 2, 2026, the showcase features a multidisciplinary collection including painting, sculpture, and jewelry from local figures such as Rachael Berry, Martin Swan, and Margarette Moore.

Palmer Museum announces call for juried exhibition to celebrate America’s 250th

The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State has announced a call for entries for a juried exhibition titled "Dreaming American Futures: Invitational 250," running from summer through fall of 2026. The exhibition marks the United States' 250th anniversary and is open to Penn State students, faculty, staff, alumni residing in Pennsylvania, and local artists within 50 miles of State College. Submissions must address themes of activating change, bridging the divide, the pursuit of happiness, and a more perfect union, which were developed from community input gathered during a summer 2025 installation. Digital submissions of up to three works are due by February 15, 2026, with no entry fee, and a jury including artist Folayemi Wilson, curator Janine Yorimoto Boldt, and artist Roberto Lugo will adjudicate the entries.

U.S. and Italy Honor Alliance to Curb Art Looting, Amid Broader Tensions

Officials from the United States and Italy gathered near dozens of repatriated artifacts to celebrate their ongoing alliance against art looting, which has resulted in the return of thousands of artworks to Italy. The event highlighted collaborative efforts between the two nations to curb the illegal trafficking of cultural property, even as broader diplomatic tensions persist.

Yearning for Sun, New Yorkers Soak Up the Sauna

New Yorkers gathered at the waterfront for the Culture of Bathe-ing Festival, an event centered around public saunas and cold-water plunges. The festival offered a communal, wellness-focused experience as a respite from the urban grind and recent cold weather.

A library of sensations in Rome in the exhibition of Gabriele Simei: The interview

Una biblioteca di sensazioni a Roma nella mostra di Gabriele Simei. L’intervista

Artist Gabriele Simei has transformed the VOLUME! art space in Rome into an immersive installation titled "LABiblioteca Sottotevere." Curated by Silvano Manganaro, the exhibition features metal sculptures shaped like books, alongside found objects such as old lace, blankets, and tools. Simei uses acid to etch the textures of leaves gathered from the banks of the Tiber River and vintage textiles onto iron and brass plates, creating a "library of sensations" that bridges the gap between nature and domestic memory.

Atlanta gallery turns political tension into art with ‘Politically inCorrect’ exhibition

EuGene V Byrd III has curated the 'Politically inCorrect' group fine art exhibition, now open at Railroad ATL inside the Future Gallery in Atlanta. Featuring over 50 artists and 110 to 120 works across painting, photography, sculpture, and collage, the show addresses what Byrd calls an overdue conversation about art and social responsibility. Inspired by W.E.B. Du Bois, the open-call exhibition asks artists to speak their truth on political and social issues, with pieces like Faif Quin's photograph referencing the killing of Charlie Kirk and Naylon D. Mitchell's portrait 'Mama Rosa' among the highlights. The exhibition runs through May 30.

You told us want you want to see in our arts coverage. We heard you

During the Milwaukee Art Museum’s annual Art in Bloom event, the Journal Sentinel gathered feedback from hundreds of attendees and digital survey respondents about what they want from arts coverage. The new arts and culture reporter, who wrote the article, outlines the key requests: more advance event coverage (especially free, family-friendly, and hands-on activities), support for smaller and underground art scenes, profiles of local artists including youth, coverage of overlooked art forms like graffiti and fabric arts, and diverse representation of Latino, women, LGBTQ+, and immigrant artists.

Vernon Public Art Gallery unveils four new diverse summer exhibitions

The Vernon Public Art Gallery (VPAG) in British Columbia is launching four new summer exhibitions in June 2026: Emergence, featuring recent BFA graduates from UBCO; Fireline Kinship, a multidisciplinary response to the 2021 Nk’Mip Creek wildfire by Taylor Baptiste; Through Our Eyes, showcasing youth from the Boys and Girls Club Okanagan’s Teen Junction Youth Program; and Gathered, a group exhibition by School District 22 Indigenous students. An opening reception will be held on May 28, and all exhibitions run through June and July.

23rd Annual Student Art Show Celebrates Students’ Connection to the Santa Barbara Channel

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.

Travelling art exhibition to visit North East Fife communities

A traveling art exhibition called the Rural Art Exhibition is visiting seven venues across North East Fife from January to March 2025. The exhibition was created for the Rural Poverty Conference held during Challenge Poverty Week and features artwork by members of the Rural Voice Panel, Crail Community Larder, and NEF Youth Voice, funded by Fife Council’s Community Learning and Development service. The works share real experiences of rural life and the challenges of living in a rural area.

‘Cool’ Canberrans flock to gallery opening

The article describes a gallery opening in Canberra that attracted a crowd of stylish locals, referred to as 'cool Canberrans,' who gathered to view the new exhibition. The event highlights the city's growing engagement with contemporary visual art and its social scene.