Mirei Monticelli’s Hand-Woven Banana Leaf Lamps Swell Between Material and Movement

Milan-based Filipina designer Mirei Monticelli creates biomorphic lighting fixtures from hand-woven Banaca fabric, made from Abacá fiber sourced from the Philippines. Her studio collaborates with a community of weavers in the Bicol province, developing the material through a long-term relationship. The lamps, which blend sculpture and utility, were recently featured in an installation titled 'Pleasure Garden' at Milan Design Week. Monticelli’s process incorporates techniques from garment construction, learned from her mother, a fashion designer.

David Hills Gallery in Orleans celebrates one year

David Hills Gallery in Orleans, Massachusetts, is celebrating its first anniversary with a public event on May 16 at 4 p.m. at its Route 6A location. The celebration includes a talk by local food expert and author Elspeth Hay, a spring refresh of the gallery, and a renewed seasonal presentation of David Hills’ photography, which focuses on commercial fishing and Cape Cod’s waters.

Historic paintings on display in Upper Mustang

Artist Tsering Phonjo Gurung has organized a solo exhibition of 47 historic paintings in Lomanthang Rural Municipality, Upper Mustang, Nepal. The works depict the 15th-century Lomanthang Palace, caves, monasteries, traditional settlements, and indigenous culture, and are displayed to coincide with the Tiji Festival, aiming to attract domestic and international tourists.

Opening reception planned for art exhibit

River Arts on Water Gallery in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, will host a summer exhibition titled "The In Between" featuring three artists: Jessica Gutiérrez (whose work is displayed in the Powder Room Gallery), Rhonda Nass (scratchboard), and Sharon Wright (embroidery). An opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with artist talks at 6 p.m. The exhibition runs through August 1, and a 10% discount will be offered on all artwork during the reception. The show will also be available for online viewing.

ART OSAKA 2026 RETURNS WITH EXPANDED VENUES

ART OSAKA 2026 will take place from 28 May to 1 June with an expanded two-venue format, featuring over 60 galleries from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, and beyond. The fair is split between the Galleries Section at Grand Green Osaka in the Umekita district and the Expanded Section at Creative Center Osaka, a former shipyard. A special exhibition, "Another 1990s—Kansai Artists Beyond Time," revisits regional art practices from the 1990s.

Science Museum Partners With Serendipity Arts For Free Events In London This June

The Science Museum in London has partnered with Serendipity Arts, a not-for-profit foundation supporting artistic practice across South Asia, to present free events this June. The collaboration launches on June 5 with Innovation Lates, an adults-only evening of music, making, and ideas inspired by Indian innovation, as part of the Great Exhibition Road Festival. The festival marks 175 years since the Great Exhibition of 1851 and includes workshops, talks, performances, and a puppet parade directed by Dadi Pudumjee.

Albany Center Gallery seeks artists, vendors for Summer Art Fest

Albany Center Gallery is seeking artists and vendors for its third annual Summer Art Fest, a free outdoor art festival taking place July 18 at Quackenbush Square and Clinton Market Collective in downtown Albany. The event features a curated pop-up gallery, a new vendor market, a kids' art corner, interactive activities, and live artmaking. Submissions are free, with a deadline of June 10, and guidelines are available on the gallery's website. Last year's festival drew over 1,000 attendees from the Capital Region.

‘Light from the Inner Soul’ exhibition celebrates women’s unheard artistic voices in Cumilla

A three-day art exhibition titled “Light from the Inner Soul” is being held at Cumilla Shilpakala Auditorium in Bangladesh, showcasing paintings and handcrafted works by eight women with no formal art training. Organized by Jannatul Ferdous Twonni, the exhibition features a range of media including calligraphy, metal art, wax art, glass painting, canvas works, and AI-inspired pieces, with participants ranging from a 16-year-old to a 90-year-old woman.

Mount Wachusett Community College student art exhibit opens in Gardner

Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) has opened its 55th Annual Student Art Exhibition at the East Wing Gallery inside the Raymond LaFontaine Fine Arts Center on its Gardner campus. Running from May 11 through May 26, the show features student work in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, and design, selected collaboratively by faculty and students. Art department chair, professor, and gallery director Joyce Miller is the contact for the event.

The Biennale and the Weight of Flags. What Is the Point of National Pavilions?

La Biennale e il peso delle bandiere. Che senso hanno i padiglioni nazionali?

The article examines the inherent contradiction within the Venice Biennale: its historical structure of national pavilions, a legacy of 19th-century world fairs and state-sponsored art, clashes with the transnational, post-identity vision of the international exhibition curated by Koyo Kouoh. The return of the Russia Pavilion amid geopolitical conflict and the international show titled "In Minor Keys," which rejects national belonging as an interpretive criterion, highlight this tension. The piece also addresses the controversy over the lack of Italian artists in the main exhibition, questioning whether a Biennale hosted in Italy should guarantee national representation.

A Fiumicino torna la open call per artisti emergenti che trasforma spazi commerciali in culturali

The WOW SIDE shopping centre in Fiumicino, Italy, has launched an open call for emerging artists as part of its PostArt project, now in its second edition. The 2026 theme is "La Voce" (The Voice), inviting artists to create works during a residency inside the shopping centre from June 26 to 28, 2026. The call is open until May 30, 2026, and selected works will be exhibited in the centre's galleries.

The church, the village, the park. FAI's 'Places of the Heart' returns to save ruins

La chiesa, il borgo, il parco. Tornano i Luoghi del Cuore del FAI per salvare i beni in rovina

The Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano (FAI) has launched the 13th edition of its "Luoghi del Cuore" (Places of the Heart) initiative, a biennial census that invites Italians to vote for cultural heritage sites most in need of restoration. Since 2003, the campaign has collected over 13.5 million votes, with the 2024 edition alone receiving more than 2.3 million votes for over 41,000 sites across 6,508 municipalities. The initiative has funded 180 recovery projects, 40% of which involve churches, followed by environmental, architectural, and archaeological assets. Notable successes include the Church of San Pietro dei Samari in Gallipoli, the Oratorio del Sasso in Orasso, and the Complesso di Sant’Angelo Magno in Ascoli Piceno.

Stefano Boeri designs a new monastery that will be born in Milan in the district where Expo 2015 was held

Stefano Boeri progetta un nuovo monastero che nascerà a Milano nel quartiere dove si fece l’Expo2015

Stefano Boeri Architetti has designed a new monastery, the Monastero Ambrosiano, to be built by 2029 in the Mind – Milano Innovation District, the tech hub developed on the site of Expo 2015 in Milan. Presented at the Abbey of Chiaravalle, the project is commissioned by the Diocese of Milan and includes a church for 300-350 worshippers, a Cloister of Religions, a Garden of Religions, and a Library of Religions, blending contemporary architecture with monastic tradition and interfaith dialogue.

The gardens are beautiful but we have stopped designing them. Analysis by architect Gabriele Mulè

I giardini sono bellissimi ma abbiamo smesso di progettarli. L’analisi dell’architetto Gabriele Mulè

Architect Gabriele Mulè analyzes the garden of Bruce Ginsberg in Hampshire, England, describing it as a masterful blend of Eastern and Western traditions. The garden, cultivated for over thirty years, features fluid curves, geometric hedges, a Tibetan stupa, and a labyrinth, embodying the concept of sharawadgi—planting without apparent order—while integrating elements from ancient Greece, the Renaissance, and Buddhist philosophy.

Near Florence there is a castle that recalls the Orient. The rebirth of the gardens begins with architect Tommaso del Buono

Vicino Firenze c’è un castello che ricorda l’Oriente. Al via la rinascita dei giardini con l’architetto Tommaso del Buono

The Castello di Sammezzano, a Moorish-style castle near Florence, Italy, is set for a major revival. Built in the 19th century by the Marquis Ferdinando Panciatichi Ximenes d'Aragona, the castle is one of Italy's most important examples of Orientalist architecture, featuring over sixty uniquely decorated rooms, a monumental park, and rare botanical species. After decades of neglect, auctions, and sporadic openings, the property was purchased in 2025 by the family of entrepreneur Giorgio Moretti, who plans a €50 million restoration. The first phase will focus on rehabilitating the historic gardens, with work beginning in June 2026.

Six contemporary artists reimagine ‘the Gothic’ for new Tyntesfield exhibition

Six contemporary artists have created new works reimagining the Gothic aesthetic for an exhibition at Tyntesfield, a Victorian Gothic Revival house in Somerset, England. The artists were invited to respond to the architecture, collections, and atmosphere of the National Trust property, producing paintings, sculptures, and installations that engage with themes of the macabre, the supernatural, and the uncanny.

Lifework: An Exhibition by KCAT Studio Artists

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council presents "Lifework," an exhibition of artworks by seven artists from the Kilkenny Collective for Arts Talent (KCAT) Studio. The show runs from May 9 to August 26, 2026 at the Municipal Gallery, dlr LexIcon in Dún Laoghaire, featuring artists Thomas Barron, Declan Byrne, Lorna Corrigan, Sinéad Fahey, Fergus Fitzgerald, Andrew Pike, and Jason Turner. Curated by Dominic Thorpe, the exhibition pairs each artist's earliest work with recent pieces to highlight their long-term artistic development. A concurrent showcase of inclusive artwork from the county will be displayed in Gallery Two, accompanied by workshops programmed by Moran Been-noon and Rayne Booth.

Call for artists open for 17th annual juried exhibition

The City of St. Catharines has opened the call for artists to submit work for its 17th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, titled "Current." Emerging, student, and established artists living in the Niagara Region are invited to explore the theme of currents—literal waterways like the Welland Canal and Niagara River, as well as cultural, social, and technological forces. Submissions in all mediums created within the past three years are eligible, with a deadline of June 29, 2026. The exhibition will run from September 18, 2026, to January 22, 2027, in the City Hall gallery, and selected artists receive an exhibition fee and possible acquisition into the city's Municipal Art Collection.

Colares studio opens its doors for one-day art show

Three artists—Maria José Meneses, Clara Rêgo, and Mary St. George—are opening their studio at Casa do Celeiro in Colares, Sintra, for a one-day "Open Studio" event on Saturday, May 30, from 12pm to 6pm. The event offers the public a rare behind-the-scenes look at a working art studio, featuring contemporary paintings, mixed media, sculptural ceramics, and artists' books in a 17th-century building that was once a barn and stable.

Former Farmers building 'leading candidate' for art gallery

A feasibility study commissioned by the Invercargill City Council has identified the former Farmers department store building on Dee Street as the leading candidate for a new public art gallery in Invercargill, New Zealand. The study, prepared by Rebecca McElrea of McElrea Consulting, assessed multiple location options—including the H&J Smith building, an extension of the Te Unua Museum site, and incorporation into the new Te Unua museum—but concluded that the Farmers building offers the best alignment with investment objectives due to its size, configuration, central city location, and preliminary cost certainty. The council will consider proceeding with a detailed business case for this option at a committee meeting on Tuesday.

Exhibition celebrates the horse's cultural role

An exhibition titled 'New Steeds of the Silk Road' has opened at Yanhuang Art Museum in Beijing, featuring horse-themed paintings and sculptures by artists from China and Belarus. The show celebrates the horse as a symbol of strength, courage, freedom, and loyalty, and coincides with the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. It runs until May 18.

“长征前夜·抚州烽火”纪念红军长征胜利90周年美术采风创作活动在抚州举办

From April 30 to May 4, 2026, the "Long March Eve·Fuzhou Beacon" art sketching and creation event was held in Fuzhou to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Red Army's Long March. Organized by the Jiangxi Artists Association and the Fuzhou Municipal Propaganda Department under the guidance of the China Artists Association, 15 artists including China Artists Association Chairman Fan Di'an and Secretary-General Wang Ping visited revolutionary heritage sites such as the Red Ninth Army Luojiapu Command Post, the Dengxian Bridge Victory Site in Le'an County, and the Long March National Cultural Park (Guangchang Section). They also explored the intangible cultural heritage Nuo Dance in Shiyou Village, Nanfeng County, to absorb local cultural roots for their creations.

黑龙江省美协召开2026年度工作会议暨七届九次主席团（扩大）会议

The Heilongjiang Provincial Artists Association held its 2026 annual work meeting and the 7th 9th Presidium (Expanded) Meeting on April 29, 2026, via a hybrid online-offline format. Over 100 participants attended, including presidium members, council members, heads of municipal and industry artists associations, and committee members. The meeting conveyed directives from the China Artists Association's study and implementation of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, as well as the provincial文联's work arrangements. It summarized 2025 work and outlined key tasks for 2026, emphasizing ideological guidance through Xi Jinping's cultural thought, people-centered creative direction focusing on local themes like black soil culture and borderland heritage, and strengthening of traditional art forms such as Heilongjiang printmaking and watercolor. The meeting also approved new council member additions, first-batch 2026 membership applications, and committee adjustments.

Monroe student artists bring annual exhibit to IHM campus

The Monroe County Community College Student Art Club is presenting its annual art show from May 22 through July 15 at St. Therese at IHM Senior Living in Monroe, Michigan. The exhibition features student artwork in various media including pencil, watercolor, acrylic, pottery, and sculpture, with a public reception on May 22 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Select pieces are available for purchase during gallery hours, and the club is seeking exhibitors for 2027.

Call for Applications: Reiwa 8 (2026) Overseas Training Program for Emerging Artists – Japanese Culture Promotion and Dissemination Project

公募｜令和8年度新進芸術家海外研修制度における「日本文化発信・普及事業」

Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunka-cho) is now accepting applications for the "Japanese Culture Promotion and Dissemination Project" under the 2026 (Reiwa 8) Overseas Training Program for Emerging Artists. This separate track supports established cultural figures, artists, and researchers—not just emerging artists—to conduct activities that promote and disseminate Japanese culture abroad. The program covers travel, accommodation, and activity costs up to 1.5 million yen, with派遣 periods ranging from 20 to 80 days between October 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027. Applications must be received by June 5, 2025, and results will be announced by early September.

She Takes Flight: Mosaic Art by Judy Steed: Opening Reception

The article announces the opening reception for "She Takes Flight: Mosaic Art by Judy Steed," a local exhibition featuring mosaic works by artist Judy Steed. The event is presented as a community art gathering, likely held at a local venue, and includes a call for readers to subscribe to a newsletter for local news updates.

The Baum School of Art hosts 41st Annual Art Auction during its centennial year

The Baum School of Art in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is hosting its 41st Annual Art Auction during the institution's centennial year. The event features a curated selection of artworks donated by regional and national artists, with proceeds supporting the school's educational programs and scholarships.

Windsor Honors Artist Maryanna Yauk

The Town of Windsor Museums is hosting a retrospective exhibition for longtime Windsor artist Maryanna Yauk, featuring her work from 1946 to 2025. The show includes acrylic and watercolor paintings, ceramic figurines, holiday-themed pieces, recycled-material creations, and a hand-stitched Bicentennial quilt. The opening reception takes place May 29 at the Art and Heritage Center, with the exhibition running from May 22 through June 28, and additional displays at the Windsor Community Recreation Center.

Tamarack to host opening for ‘Best of West Virginia’ art exhibition

Tamarack Marketplace in Beckley, West Virginia, will host the opening reception and award ceremony for its 18th annual “Best of West Virginia” Open Juried Exhibition on May 16. The event takes place in the David L. Dickirson Fine Arts Gallery, with the reception at 1 p.m. and the award ceremony at 2:30 p.m. in the theater.

Museum of the Southwest offers free summer admission for military families

The Museum of the Southwest is offering free summer admission for military families. The program aims to provide accessible cultural experiences for those who serve in the armed forces and their loved ones.