He’s Royal: Kingsley George Lawton Cooper

The 19th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition opened on April 29 in Charleston, South Carolina, featuring over 70 artists from 22 states under the theme 'Regal Threads: The Majesty of Blue and Purple.' Curated by Torreah 'Cookie' Washington, the juried exhibition explores the spiritual and historical significance of blue and purple in African diasporic traditions. Among the works is Donnette Cooper's quilt 'He's Royal: Kingsley George Lawton Cooper,' honoring her late brother Kingsley, who died in June 2024, incorporating the adinkra symbol Nyame Nwu Na Mawu and referencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s eulogy.

Carnegie Hall Museum Gallery showcases textile artist Holly Lei Cole

Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, West Virginia, has opened a new exhibition in its Museum Gallery featuring textile artist Holly Lei Cole. The show is part of the ongoing Carnegie Hall ArtWalk, a self-guided gallery experience across four spaces in the historic 1902 landmark. Cole, a Virginia-based fiber and art-quilt artist, presents works that blend drawing, painting, sewing, and mixed media, exploring themes of endangered species, animal-human relationships, and nature. Before turning to art quilting in 2016, she worked as a costume and set designer for Broadway, The Muppets, Ringling Bros. Circus, and regional theaters. The exhibition is free and runs through the end of June.

Opening Reception: Tallahassee Watercolor Society's 2026 Tri-State Annual Juried Water Media Exhibition

The Tallahassee Watercolor Society (TaWS) is hosting the opening reception for its 2026 Tri-State Annual Juried Water Media Exhibition on May 28, 2026, at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts in Tallahassee, Florida. The exhibition features works by local artists from Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, and is juried by nationally renowned watercolor artist Don Andrews, a past board director of the American Watercolor Society whose paintings have earned multiple awards including three from the American Watercolor Society and two Best of Show awards from the New England Watercolor Society.

Tripura artist's solo exhibition in Mumbai inaugurated by Guv Jishnu Dev Varma

The solo art exhibition of Tapati Bhowmik Majumder, Tripura's first National Award-winning woman artist, opened on May 12 at Mumbai's Jahangir Art Gallery. The show was inaugurated by Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, marking the first time a Governor of Maharashtra has attended an inauguration at the gallery. Special guests included professor and artist Maruti Selke and actress Jayati Bhatia. The exhibition runs through May 18.

These colors will enchant you. An exhibition of Niehliubka weavers opened at the Art Museum

On May 7, the National Art Museum of Belarus opened the exhibition "Harmony of the World of Niehliubka Weavers," showcasing traditional weaving from the village of Niehliubka in the Vetka District. The display features about 50 textile works from the museum's collection, along with tools, rare costume elements, and photographs provided by the Belarusian State Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life and the Vetka Museum of Old Believer and Belarusian Traditions named after Shklyarau. This tradition, which originated in the 17th century, includes towels, clothing, and interior items made with original weaving and embroidery techniques.

Tashema Davis Exhibit at Thyen-Clark Cultural Center beginning May 7

Jasper Arts presents a solo exhibition titled 'Talitha Cumi' by Marion, Indiana artist Tashema Davis at the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center, running May through July 2026. The show features original oil and acrylic paintings, with an opening reception and gallery talk on May 7, followed by additional receptions on June 4 and July 2. Davis, who teaches art at Marion High School, creates vibrant portraits focused on brown faces, drawing from her childhood in Gary, Indiana, and her graduate training at Ball State University.

California State Univ hosts artist Tutul’s exhibition

California State University hosted a five-day solo exhibition titled 'Lost Symbiosis' by Bangladeshi artist and graphic design professor Md Harun-ar-Rashid Tutul at its Media Art Gallery from April 27 to May 1. The exhibition featured 24 oil and acrylic paintings on recycled paper mesh and canvas, exploring the fragile relationship between humanity and the natural world. Tutul also delivered a lecture on visual communication to students at California State University, Bakersfield, and a separate showing of the exhibition was organized by the Los Angeles Acting Academy and the local Bangladeshi community at the Church of Scientology in Los Angeles on May 3.

Langkawi becomes an open canvas for contemporary art

Langkawi, Malaysia, is hosting the 29th Bakat Muda Sezaman (BMS29) showcase, transforming the island into an open-air gallery through July 26, 2026. Contemporary artworks and performances are installed in unexpected public locations such as padi fields, jetties, beaches, the Kuah public market, and Dataran Lang, featuring installations, digital art, and interactive works by emerging artists. The National Art Gallery director-general Amerrudin Ahmad stated the initiative aims to bring contemporary art closer to the public by moving beyond conventional gallery spaces.

Amyafrique Art Gallery set for debut, founder shares story of resilience and reinvention

Amyafrique Art Gallery, founded by Nigerian entrepreneur Okpara Judith Amarachi, is set to open in Lagos next month as a platform for African creativity. Amarachi, who transitioned from careers in fashion, modeling, and aviation after a life-changing visit to a Lagos gallery, launched the brand in 2021 and has since achieved milestones including the sale of a ₦10 million sculpture.

June's First Friday Art Walk in Springfield offers all-ages activities

Springfield's First Friday Art Walk on June 5 offers a wide range of all-ages activities, including gallery openings, author readings, live jazz, and a community block party. Participating venues such as Formed: An Artist Collective, Obelisk Home, Hotel Vandivort, and the Park Central Branch Library will feature new exhibitions, hands-on crafts, and extended hours until 10 p.m. The event is organized by the Springfield Regional Arts Council and includes contributions from local artists like Andi Snethern, Hailey Paige, and Colby Kern.

Art e Fekts to host artist Paul DeLuca’s pottery exhibit May 8

Art e Fekts Gallery in Downtown Pittston will host "This is Me – The Pottery of Paul DeLuca," the second exhibit of 2026, opening on Friday, May 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Dr. Joseph Lombardo Gallery. The exhibit coincides with the first 2nd Friday Art Walk of the year and will run until June 5, featuring the unique ceramic work of regional artist Paul DeLuca, who owns and operates Bank Street Pottery.

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.

California Art Club’s “American Road Trip” Opens at the Old Mill

The California Art Club opens its third exhibition, “A Rite of Passage: The American Road Trip,” at the Old Mill in San Marino on May 14. The show features paintings by CAC artists depicting cross-country highway scenes, including desert roads, small-town main streets, and roadside landmarks, as part of the club’s series celebrating California’s 175th anniversary and the United States’ 250th. The exhibition runs through October 4.

First Friday Art Walk showcases student exhibitions

The May First Friday Art Walk in downtown Springfield features student exhibitions from Drury University, Missouri State University, and Ozarks Technical Community College, alongside Route 66-themed shows. Seventeen venues participate in the self-guided tour, with college artists displaying work at four locations, including the Robert & Margaret Carolla Arts Exhibition Center, Brick City Gallery, the Pool Arts Center, and Ozarks Technical Community College's Art and Design Department. The Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit, created by documentary filmmaker Katrina Parks, is on display at the Historic Gillioz Theatre, and photographers Vance Clark and Andrew Mann present their 'Unique Lens' exhibit at the Park Central Branch Library.

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.

Okotoks Art Gallery accepting 2027 exhibition proposals

The Okotoks Art Gallery is now accepting exhibition proposals for its 2027 season, with a submission deadline of May 30. Artists and curators are invited to submit proposals including a cover letter, artist statement, resume, and related images, which will be reviewed by a jury of arts professionals. The gallery rotates exhibits through its large and small galleries throughout the year.

In-Town's Gallery's Spring All Member Show Celebrates Local Artists

In-Town Gallery on Frazier Avenue in Chattanooga is hosting its Spring All Member Show, a biannual exhibition featuring new artwork from all of its over 38 local and regional artist members. The show opens with a free reception on Friday, May 8th, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, and runs through May 31st, showcasing a wide range of media including painting, pottery, turned wood, fused glass, photography, and jewelry.

42nd Illinois Watercolor Society National Exhibition

The 42nd Illinois Watercolor Society National Exhibition will take place from April 29 through May 30, 2026, at The Next Picture Show in Dixon, Illinois. This annual juried showcase features watercolor, acrylic, and gouache works by artists from across the United States, celebrating a wide range of techniques and perspectives in water-based media.

Indy airport exhibit features artists with disabilities

A new exhibition opened April 10 at the Indianapolis International Airport’s Civic Plaza, featuring 92 works by 90 Hoosier artists with developmental disabilities. The show was organized by the Indianapolis Airport Authority in partnership with the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Inc. (INARF) and Ability Indiana, with artists from 12 INARF member organizations contributing pieces in a variety of mediums. The airport’s arts and culture program, which rotates permanent and temporary collections, has hosted this annual showcase for several years, with some artists returning each year with new work.

Collective-The Art Of Craft To Host Open Studio Weekend Information Center In Woodstock

Collective-The Art of Craft in Woodstock, Vermont, will serve as an information hub during the Vermont Craft Council’s Spring Open Studio Weekend on May 23-24. The statewide event features 175 artists at 133 locations, offering studio tours and artist demonstrations. The gallery will host a special exhibition from the Vermont Glass Guild and a live painting demonstration by artist Katie Roberts.

Billions spent as art buyers smash records

Christie’s netted $US1.1 billion ($1.54 billion) in two auctions on a single evening in New York, with over half coming from 16 works sold from the estate of publishing magnate S.I. Newhouse, who died in 2017. The blockbuster sales follow years of underwhelming results in the secondary art market.

Omani art exhibition opens at Moscow’s Tretyakov museum

An exhibition titled 'Pioneers of Omani Art' has opened at the State Tretyakov Museum in Moscow, organized by the National Museum of Oman. Running until August 16, it features 23 artworks by 17 prominent Omani artists, including pieces such as 'The Shirt of Dreams 2' by Musa bin Omar Al Zadjali and 'Faces' by Alia bint Ali Al Farsi, showcasing the evolution of Oman's modern visual art movement through themes of culture, heritage, and natural environment.

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.

Venice Biennale: Is art ever separate from politics?

The article, published by DW, examines the ongoing debate about the relationship between art and politics, using the Venice Biennale as a case study. It highlights how the 2024 edition of the Biennale has become a platform for political statements, particularly regarding Russia's exclusion from the event following its invasion of Ukraine, and the broader question of whether cultural institutions can remain neutral in times of geopolitical conflict.

Eiteljorg Museum showcases Latin American printmakers’ artistic traditions

The Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis will open a new exhibition, “Consejo Grafico Nacional: Latino Printmakers in the United States,” on May 30. The show features two printmaking portfolios created by Latin American artists from Chicago, California, New York, Texas, and Puerto Rico: “La Huella Magistral,” which pays homage to master printmakers, and “Los Americanos: Same Equals Different,” which explores cultural exchanges across the U.S.-Mexico border. The opening includes a free tour led by Sandra Fernandez, director of the Consejo Grafico Nacional, and a printmaking demonstration by artist Andy Arana Gomez.

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.

State museum exhibits piece of DeWitt County

An original painted ceiling tile from the historic DeWitt County Courthouse, built in 1896, has been loaned to the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. The DeWitt County Commissioners Court approved a 10-month loan agreement in late April, with the tile on display from May 1 through January 31, 2027. The tile, valued at $3,000, was discovered hidden in the courthouse attic before its 2007 restoration and is now featured in the museum's Texas Art Gallery as part of an exhibit celebrating Texas courthouse architecture.

Four Seniors Bring Four Years of Work to the Gallery

Four senior students at Latin School showcased six artworks each at the Senior Art Show on April 24, held in the second-floor gallery. The exhibition featured intricately crocheted animals, architectural structures, and photographs, representing the culmination of their high school visual arts careers. Students like Justin Canelo incorporated personal heritage and architectural interests, while Peyton Remmer explored self-portraiture and photography, supported by teachers Christine Holloway and Ian Merritt.

University of Sunderland Exhibition Celebrates 25 Years of Emerging Glass and Ceramics Talent

The University of Sunderland is celebrating 25 years of its Dry Run exhibition, a showcase for second-year BA Artist Designer Maker students specializing in glass and ceramics at the Shipley Art Gallery and Museum. The milestone exhibition, titled "A Celebration of Dry Run," brings together works from thirty artists who previously participated in the program, including a large ceramic bowl by recent graduate Lynn Donnelly. The show highlights the technical and conceptual evolution of the artists over the program's history.

American anti-war pop art goes on display in Tehran

An exhibition of American anti-war pop art has opened in Tehran, Iran, featuring works that critique war and militarism through the lens of popular culture. The show brings together iconic pieces from American artists known for their anti-war stance, displayed in a country that has long been subject to U.S. sanctions and political tensions.