Long-running Azores art festival blossoms into a biennial

The Walk&Talk arts festival on São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores archipelago, has formally transitioned from an annual summer street art celebration into a biennial, running until 30 November with over 80 artists. Founded in 2011 by curator Jesse James, the event now features exhibitions, performances, excursions, talks, and educational programming across nine venues, including historic and architecturally significant sites such as Museu Carlos Machado and a former distillery turned contemporary art museum. The shift to autumn allows local school groups to participate, and the inaugural biennial is co-curated by Fatima Bintou Rassoul Sy, Liliana Coutinho, and Claire Shea under the theme "Gestures of Abundance."

‘When you’re working with clay, you’re working with the earth’: Studio’s new exhibition offers ‘Clay as Care’

The Clay Studio in Philadelphia has opened a new exhibition titled "Clay as Care: Ceramic Art and Wellbeing," which explores the therapeutic and restorative benefits of working with ceramics. The show features four artists—Adebunmi Gbadebo, Jennifer Ling Datchuk, Ehren Tool, and Maia Chao—each using clay to address personal healing journeys, from fertility struggles to military trauma. The exhibition includes interactive elements like communal clay for visitors and is part of a research project in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania Center for Neuroaesthetics, Jefferson University Art Therapy Department, and Drexel University Art Psychotherapy team, collecting data on the show's impact on wellness.

Residency offers Los Angeles artists affected by wildfires chance to work again

The Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village, Colorado, has announced it will offer five-week residencies to 15 Los Angeles artists whose homes and studios were destroyed or severely impacted by the January wildfires, including in the hard-hit area of Altadena. Starting October 15, the program fees will be waived, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and Anne and Arnold Porath, among others. Artists were selected by an outside jury from 30–40 applicants, and the cohort will live together in a dorm-like facility with individual studios and communal meals.

Arboretum poppies, a tribute to late Wyndmoor artist

The Morris Arboretum & Gardens in Philadelphia recently displayed supersized red poppies at its entrance, reproductions of the colossal sculptures "Papaver Rubrum Giganteum" created by the late artist Gary G. Miller. Originally installed at the arboretum in May 2008, the installation featured 300 handmade aluminum poppies with 20-inch flower heads on 10-foot stems. Miller, a sculpture and photography teacher at Germantown Friends School and a facilitator at Woodmere Art Museum, was killed by a drunk driver in 2013. To commemorate his work, the Chestnut Hill Community Association organized an exhibition titled "Papaver Rubrum Giganteum Redux," featuring photographs of the poppies in a pop-up space from September 27 to October 4.

Seattle teens curate new art exhibit at King Street Station

Ten youth curators aged 15 to 17 from Seattle's Fresh Perspectives program have organized a new art exhibition titled "You, Me, & Everything Between Us" at King Street Station. The show is presented by the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture in collaboration with Seattle Public Utilities' 1% Art program. The teen curators—Audrey Mae Lumaguip, Billie Atkins, Bowie Logan, Bryan Emmanuel, Bunny Heminger, Cam Koga, Giselle Kalei Balansay, Max Santiago, Sammy Tewelde, and Nico Charbonneau—were mentored by artist and project manager Janet Nechama Miller. Seattle Public Utilities has set aside a budget to acquire works from the exhibition for the city's Civic Art Collection.

UNE Art Gallery show honors Deaf community and victims of the Lewiston shootings

An art exhibition titled "Unspoken Resilience: Healing from the Lewiston Shootings Two Years In" will open at the University of New England Art Gallery in Portland on September 25, 2025, coinciding with Deaf Culture Week. Co-curated by Michelle Ames and Meryl Troop, the show features works by deaf artists and artisans, alongside photographs by Michael Kolster documenting Lewiston, Maine, where a mass shooting in 2023 killed 18 people and injured 13. Four of the victims were deaf, and two other deaf individuals were injured, making this the only mass shooting in U.S. history to disproportionately impact the Deaf community. The exhibition runs through February 7, 2026, and includes contributions from American Sign Language interpreters.

UNC Asheville hosts post-Helene symposium, storytelling event with local NC media

UNC Asheville will host the Post-Helene Symposium from September 24-26, 2025, to commemorate the anniversary of Tropical Storm Helene, which caused historic flooding in Western North Carolina in September 2024. The free, three-day event includes panels, concerts, art exhibitions, and a storytelling collaboration with NC Local titled "The Heart of the Mountains," featuring 12 news organizations including the Asheville Citizen Times. Highlights include the art exhibition "Looking Back to Move Forward" in the S. Tucker Cooke Gallery and a music faculty showcase concert "Hard Times, No More."

Sophie's Artist Lounge introduces new St. Louis hip-hop exhibition

Sophie's Artist Lounge, part of the Kranzberg Arts Foundation in St. Louis, will debut a new exhibition titled "To STL with Love" on September 4, 2025. Curated by Kris Blackmon, the show celebrates the history and impact of hip-hop culture in St. Louis, featuring visual art, photography, memorabilia, and artifacts from over 30 local artists and creatives, including Pacia Elaine, Brock Seals, Damon Davis, John Harrington, and Trackstar the DJ. The opening reception will include performances by GOODBROTHERLYZM, G.Wiz, KVtheWriter, and Bates.

Inter Lyceum Art Exhibition and the Award Ceremony 2025 Successfully Celebrated in Aid of Rural Education

The Inter Lyceum Art Competition (ILAC) 2025 took place on July 12-13 at the J.D.A. Perera Art Gallery in Colombo, Sri Lanka, featuring 747 student artworks from 10 Lyceum International School branches. The event included categories such as drawing, collage, 3D art, digital graphics, sculpture, and assembling art, and was supported by sponsors Atlas and Academy of Design (AOD). A charity art auction of selected student drawings raised funds for Thimbiriwewa Primary School, a rural school in the Kurunegala area. Chief Guest Dharshan Thavaraja and Guest of Honour Professor Jagath Ravindra attended, with a judging panel of Chandana Kumarasinghe, Anupa Indika, and W.M.A.N. Wasala evaluating the works.

Taiwanese Video Artist, Asian Art Museum Curator Collaborate

Taiwanese video artist Yuan Goang-Ming has brought his exhibition "Everyday War" to San Francisco's Asian Art Museum, where it will be on view through August 4. The show, which explores the anxiety of daily life under the constant threat of invasion by China, was originally presented at Taiwan's pavilion during the 60th Venice Biennale in 2024. It was curated for the Biennale by Abby Chen, the contemporary curator at the Asian Art Museum, who then arranged for the exhibition to travel to San Francisco. The exhibition features video installations such as "Dwelling," "Everyday War," "Everyday Maneuver," and "Prophecy," all of which capture a sense of dread and unease in domestic and public spaces.

Museum of Art plans grand finale for popular exhibition

The Museum of Art is planning a grand finale event for its popular current exhibition, as reported by the Springfield News-Sun. The museum aims to celebrate the exhibition's success with a special closing program that will attract visitors and highlight key works on display.

New look for Guernsey’s Old Quarter

Art for Guernsey’s Street Art exhibition and summer project ‘Diversion’ is transforming Mill Street in Guernsey’s Old Quarter with vibrant murals and public art. Running from 27 June to 30 August, the project features works by 14 international and 16 local artists, plus contributions from children in the Summer Holiday Art Club. Artists are actively creating the displays, which have already generated positive buzz on social media, with passersby sharing photos and praising the initiative.

Mystic Seaport Museum exhibition chronicles whale oil industry's far-reaching impact

The Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut has opened a new exhibition titled "Monstrous: Whaling and Its Colossal Impact," which explores the deep connection between the US whaling industry and capitalism. Featuring objects from the museum's permanent collection—including 19th-century photographs, blubber hooks, ship models, captain's logbooks, a sperm whale jawbone, a jar of blue whale fetuses, and whale oil products—the show illustrates how whale oil lit lamps and greased machines for over a century. A giant scratchboard mural by contemporary artist Jos Sances, titled "Or, The Whale" (2019-20), dominates the space, while references to Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick" permeate the exhibition, which also includes a copy of a 1930 illustrated three-volume edition.

Palmer Museum unfolds contemporary exhibition on the ancient medium of paper

The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State has opened a new exhibition titled "Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper," running from June 7 to July 27. The show features nine contemporary Japanese artists—Hina Aoyama, Eriko Horiki, Kyoko Ibe, Yoshio Ikezaki, Kakuko Ishii, Yuko Kimura, Yuko Nishimura, Takaaki Tanaka, and Ayomi Yoshida—who transform traditional handmade washi paper into textured two-dimensional works, sculptures, and installations. The exhibition explores paper's versatility through techniques like layering, weaving, and folding, highlighting its connection to the natural world.

Must-Visit: Meow Wolf Grapevine Named 2025 Top Location-Based Experience in the World

Meow Wolf Grapevine's exhibition "The Real Unreal" has been named the 2025 Top Location-Based Experience in the world at the IAAPA Honors, held at Europa-Park in Germany. The award, from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, recognizes creativity and impact across the global attractions industry. Additionally, Meow Wolf Houston won Best Food & Beverage Building Renovation or New Build for its Cowboix Hevvven bar and grill, and took home two Webby Awards for its Radio Tave experience.

Emeritus Gallery Student Art Exhibition returns with a bustling on-campus reception.

Santa Monica College's Emeritus Gallery hosted the opening reception for its Emeritus Student Art Exhibition on Thursday night, marking the first on-campus reception since 2019. The exhibition features works by older adult students from the Emeritus College program, which has been operating since 1975. Highlights include Deborah Kaufman's mixed-media sculpture "Maximillion's Dream," inspired by a dream about her dog, and a tribute wall dedicated to the late student Roshy Farry, filled with her watercolor paintings. Curator Jesse Benson organized the event, which drew a crowded, enthusiastic audience of artists and visitors.

Bob Ross Finally Gets the Museum Treatment

Bob Ross, the beloved painter and television host known for his soothing demeanor and "happy little trees," is finally receiving a museum exhibition. The Wall Street Journal reports that Ross's work and legacy are being honored with a dedicated museum treatment, highlighting his impact on popular culture and the art world.

Is It an Art Gallery? A Museum? A Theater? A Dream?

A new immersive experience called The Ministry of Awe has opened in a former bank building in Philadelphia. The project aims to help visitors find wonder in everyday life through a blend of art, theater, and interactive installations.

The Benefactor of the Pulitzer Arts Foundation Curates Its Collection

Emily Rauh Pulitzer, the founder of the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, has curated a significant exhibition featuring approximately 85 works drawn from her personal collection and the foundation's holdings. The show emphasizes her long-standing preference for sculpture and drawing, showcasing a refined selection that reflects her decades of experience as a veteran curator and dedicated patron of the arts.

Everything You Need to Know to Start a Garden

The New York Times has published a comprehensive guide aimed at aspiring gardeners, detailing the essential steps required to cultivate and maintain a successful green space. The resource covers foundational gardening knowledge, from soil preparation and plant selection to long-term maintenance strategies for various types of outdoor environments.

How to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Collecting

The article outlines practical strategies for art collectors to minimize their environmental footprint. It details specific actions such as opting for commercial flights over private jets, selecting reusable and sustainably sourced packing crates, consolidating shipments, and choosing local artists or galleries to reduce transportation emissions.

Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 presented by Riyadh Art

The seventh edition of Tuwaiq Sculpture will take place in Riyadh from January 12 to February 22, 2026. The annual public art symposium will bring 25 international artists to Tahlia Street to create large-scale sculptures on-site using local granite and reclaimed metals, with all finished works entering the permanent Riyadh Art collection for installation across the city.

The New School Plans to Lay Off 15% of Staff By June

The New School in New York City plans to lay off 15 percent of its full-time faculty and staff by June. This follows a months-long conflict with faculty and a reported $48 million deficit, with the university previously offering voluntary separation packages to 40% of staff.

Two Major Architecture Firms Aim to Revolutionize Rome Over the Next 25 Years

Due grandi studi di architettura puntano a rivoluzionare Roma nei prossimi 25 anni

A multidisciplinary team led by Italian architecture and urban planning firm IT'S and Dutch firm OMA has won the international ideas competition "Vision for Rome," promoted by the Fondazione Roma REgeneration. Their project, "Roma Continua," was presented at the Auditorium della Tecnica di Confindustria during the second ROMA REgeneration FORUM. The proposal aims to rethink Rome over the next 25 years through a paradigm shift in urban, social, and cultural planning, envisioning the city as a living ecosystem. It is based on five guiding principles—care, beauty, knowledge, movement, reuse, and grafting—and includes five green corridors anchored to the Tiber River, "Fori dell'innovazione" (innovation forums), and a continuous mobility network. The project also seeks to reduce tourist pressure on the historic center by creating new cultural itineraries and sustainable transport links.

Milan provides spaces to open 10 new neighborhood bookstores: the tender to open one

Milano mette a disposizione spazi per aprire 10 nuove librerie di quartiere. Il bando per aprirne una

The City of Milan has launched a public tender to open ten new neighborhood bookstores by repurposing vacant municipal properties. Part of the "Sefémm" program, the initiative offers spaces ranging from 30 to 190 square meters across various districts, including central and peripheral areas. The selection process will heavily prioritize the social and cultural impact of the proposals over financial bids, favoring micro-enterprises and independent operators who commit to creating community hubs.

A Palestinian-American Photographer’s Intimate Gaze

Photographer Dean Majd presents his solo debut exhibition, "Hard Feelings," at BAXTER ST at the Camera Club of New York. The show compiles a decade of intimate photographs documenting his inner circle of skateboarders and graffiti writers in Queens, a community he joined after the death of his childhood friend James. The work captures communal joys, rites of passage, and the dangers of their lifestyle, while also serving as a dedication to his friend Suba, who died from an accidental overdose in 2020.

Where Art Meets Innovation: Inside the Salt Lake Art Show and the X5 Vision

On May 14, 2026, the Salt Lake Art Museum (SLAM) hosted a launch event for X5, a new convergence platform, inside the historic B'nai Israel Temple in Salt Lake City. The event featured an interactive moment where attendees drew on the museum's bare walls before they are painted over. The following day, the Salt Lake Art Show opened at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy, serving as X5's first public activation. X5 Vice Chair Joe Ross outlined the platform's three clusters—industry/STEM, culture, and capital/workforce—positioning it as a successor to Sundance's economic impact in Utah.

Artist explores shifting perspective on family story

Artist Avi Amesbury has opened her new exhibition, 'Shifting Perspectives: The Self Reconciliation Project', at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery in Australia. The show combines ceramics, mixed media, and sound to explore her personal family history as a descendant of white settler colonists in Western Australia. Over three years, Amesbury traveled across the country for residencies at Fremantle Arts Centre and Central Craft in Alice Springs, collecting wild clays and collaborating with composer MJ from Those Who Ride With Giants to incorporate poems, writings, and landscape sounds into the installation.

Art Hive Celebrates Third Anniversary

The Art Hive in Prescott, Arizona, is celebrating its third anniversary with a disco-themed party on Friday, May 22, from 5:00 pm to midnight. Founded in 2023 by artist Cloud Oakes, the venue houses 36 artist studios and a fine arts gallery, and the event will feature the Tenant Spring Exhibition, open studios, art booths, live music, a no-host bar, and a '70s Disco DJ bash, with a people's choice award for best costume and best in show.

Jordan Creek renewal project isolates downtown Springfield gallery

The Renew Jordan Creek revitalization project in downtown Springfield has severely impacted Fresh Gallery, an award-winning local art space. Extensive road closures on Boonville Avenue and ongoing construction noise have cut off the gallery from its usual pedestrian and tourist traffic, leading to a drastic decline in sales and foot traffic. To combat these challenges, the gallery has launched a GoFundMe campaign and is attempting to reinvent its business model to survive until construction concludes in mid-2024.