Newly Restored Roman Artifacts from Ostia Antica Installed in Rome's Hotels

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Three Roman masterpieces from the 2nd century AD, previously hidden in the storerooms of the Ostia Antica Archaeological Park, have been installed in the lobbies of historic hotels in central Rome. The works include marble portraits of Empress Faustina the Elder and noblewoman Domizia Lucilla, alongside a restored fresco of Lachesis, one of the Fates. This initiative, titled "Ostia Antica Goes to Town," is part of the broader "Art Outside the Museum" project, which pairs cultural institutions with the hospitality sector to bring archaeological treasures into the public eye.

Researcher Announcement: The Duke of Morny's Far Eastern Objects Collection

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A doctoral researcher at Sorbonne University, Anaïs Veyrac, is publicly seeking information to aid her thesis on the collection of Far Eastern objects assembled by the Duke of Morny (1811-1865). She is asking collectors, enthusiasts, or anyone with relevant correspondence, archives, or testimonies regarding Asian-origin objects that belonged to the Duke to come forward, as the collection was dispersed after his death and lacks comprehensive archival records.

What’s That Musky Aroma at the New Museum?

The New Museum in New York has unveiled a sensory-driven installation that utilizes scent as a primary medium, challenging the traditional ocular-centric experience of contemporary art spaces. Visitors are greeted by a distinct, musky aroma that permeates the galleries, part of a curated effort to explore the intersection of olfaction, memory, and physical space.

Military uniforms become art in new Missouri exhibition

A new exhibition at the Museum of Art and Archaeology at the University of Missouri, titled "Camouflage: In Plain Sight," transforms military uniforms and related objects into works of art. The show features over 50 items, including a deconstructed World War I uniform by contemporary artist Ashley V. Blalock and historic pieces like a Civil War jacket, exploring how the visual language of warfare is repurposed for artistic expression.

New art gallery opening in Pokesdown in tandem with Dorset Art Weeks

A new art gallery, Pokesdown Gallery, is opening on Christchurch Road in Pokesdown, Dorset, coinciding with the annual Dorset Art Weeks event starting May 23. The gallery joins a growing arts scene in Boscombe, which includes venues like BEAF, AUGER, Rhythm Store, TOSH, and Factory Studios. Its inaugural exhibition features works by two local artists: printmaker Sarah Humby, who teaches and sketches around Hengistbury Head, and glass sculptor Fabian Rose, who creates pieces using lost wax methods from his Southbourne workshop. The gallery will be open weekends during exhibitions.

Exhibition 'Our History Living in Stitches' fascinates viewers [PHOTOS]

An exhibition titled 'Our History Living in Stitches' has opened at the Azerbaijan National Art Museum, dedicated to the Goycha and Garagoyunlu regions of Western Azerbaijan. The show features carpets woven by Azerbaijani women from those areas, preserved as treasured belongings during deportations between 1987 and 1991 and brought to Azerbaijan. The opening ceremony included speeches by museum director Shirin Malikova, community leaders, and a member of parliament, alongside musical performances by the 'Khazri' dance ensemble.

New Austin museum exhibit tells stories of 27 festivals across Texas

The Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin has opened a new exhibition called "Texas Festivals," running through September 27. The show features artifacts from 27 festivals across the state, including a gown from Fiesta San Antonio, a sand sculpture from Sandfest in Port Aransas, an art car honoring Stevie Ray Vaughan from Houston's Art Car Parade, and mascots from the Texas Onion Fest, Hogeye Festival, and Texas State Forest Festival. The exhibition is divided into three sections exploring how festivals create community, and includes a short documentary, interactive activities, and a talk with historian Dr. Michaele Thurgood Haynes on May 3.

Whimsy Art Exhibitions

The House of Creatures exhibition at Milan Design Week 2026 presents a collection of sculptural works designed to represent hybrid beings through material and form. The show brings together designers who interpret creatures as symbolic figures, translating mythology and emotion into physical pieces across furniture, lighting, and collectible formats. Each work is positioned as an individual presence within a gallery setting, forming a sequence of distinct forms rather than a single unified installation, with materials including ceramics, textiles, and metal constructions.

Heritage art exhibition breathes new life into local stories

A heritage art exhibition in a local community is showcasing works that reinterpret and revitalize regional stories and traditions. The show features pieces by local artists who draw on historical narratives, folklore, and cultural artifacts to create contemporary visual art, aiming to connect residents with their shared past through a modern lens.

From the Darkroom recalls Springfield's Civil War centennial exhibit

The Springfield News-Leader, in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Library District, is publishing a historical photograph from its archives. The 1961 image shows Kenneth M. Shuck, director of the Springfield Art Museum, examining Civil War artifacts—including a saber, a drum, and a painting of Union General Nathaniel Lyon—in preparation for a centennial exhibition.

5 things to do at Indy’s new contemporary art museum

The Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi) is set to open its doors from May 1-3 in a renovated 125-year-old dairy barn in Garfield Park. Managed by the Big Car Collaborative, the 40,000-square-foot facility features six exhibition spaces, 18 artist studios, and various community hubs including a cafe and storefronts for local creative businesses. The opening weekend will feature the main exhibition “Campo de Resonancia” by Puerto Rican painter Ivelisse Jiménez, alongside sound installations and experimental documentaries.

Explorations: A State Affair? The historical exhibition unfolds at the Army Museum

The Army Museum in Paris is hosting "Explorations: A State Affair?", a comprehensive exhibition running from April 15 to August 16, 2026. The showcase traces three centuries of French global expeditions, from the aftermath of the Seven Years' War in 1763 through the space race to contemporary missions focused on climate change and resource security. Featuring a diverse array of artifacts including maps, scientific instruments, military uniforms, and paintings, the exhibition highlights the military's central role in scientific discovery, territorial expansion, and state power.

Kansong's Cultural Defense Exhibition Features National Treasure Vase

The Kansong Art Museum in Seoul has launched a special exhibition titled "Cultural Defense of the Nation: The Spirit of Our People Preserved Through Faith," showcasing 46 significant artifacts reclaimed by collector Chun Hyung-pil during the Japanese colonial period. The centerpiece of the show is a rare 18th-century white porcelain bottle decorated with underglaze blue, iron-red, and copper-red, which Chun famously acquired at the Gyeongseong Art Club auction in 1936. He outbid a prominent Japanese dealer with a record-breaking bid of 14,580 won—a sum equivalent to the price of 15 houses at the time—to prevent the treasure from leaving Korea.

The Railway comes to Potters Bar Exhibition

The Potters Bar Museum is hosting a specialized exhibition titled "The Railway comes to Potters Bar," focusing on the historical impact of the rail network on the local community. The display features a collection of archival photographs, artifacts, and historical documents detailing the evolution of transport in the area.

Conduit Gallery presents Kendall Glover: "Dynamatic" opening reception

Conduit Gallery in Dallas is hosting "Dynamatic," a solo exhibition by Brooklyn-based artist Kendall Glover featuring sculptures and textiles produced within the last year. The show highlights three distinct series: large-scale tubular steel sculptures, experimental bronzes cast from rattan and thread, and a collection of silver-leafed crocheted works known as "Quasars."

Peninsula art scene: Give Me a Ring: A Telephone Retrospective Exhibition Tours at San Francisco Airport Museum

A new exhibition titled 'Give Me a Ring: A Telephone Retrospective' has opened at the San Francisco Airport Museum. The show explores the history, design, and cultural impact of the telephone through a collection of artifacts and artworks.

Museum of Narratives is rife with possibilities

The article reports on the opening and conceptual framework of the Museum of Narratives, a new institution in Japan dedicated to exploring and presenting stories through its collections and exhibitions. It emphasizes the museum's focus on narrative as a fundamental human and artistic practice, positioning it as a unique cultural destination.

New exhibition sheds light on thriving traditional Samoan art in American Samoa

The Field Museum in Chicago is set to debut "Amerika Samoa," a temporary exhibition opening March 6, 2026, in the Regenstein Halls of the Pacific. Co-curated by Reggie Meredith Fitiao and Su’a Uilisone Fitiao of the nonprofit Fa’asamoa Arts, the show focuses on two primary Samoan art forms: siapo mamanu (painted barkcloth) and tatau (tattoo). The exhibition features contemporary works alongside historical pieces from the museum's collection, including a collaborative large-scale siapo created with the Chicago Samoan community.

N. Korea holds events to gather momentum ahead of key party congress

North Korea has organized a series of events, including a large book and art exhibition at the Korean Art Museum in Pyongyang, to generate public enthusiasm ahead of a key Workers' Party congress scheduled for late February. The exhibition featured approximately 10,000 books on party ideology alongside paintings, sculptures, and artifacts depicting the daily lives of North Korean citizens.

Afghanistan’s heritage comes to the fore in acclaimed Doha show

A new exhibition at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Doha, titled *Empire of Light: Visions and Voices from Afghanistan*, highlights Afghanistan’s art and history from pre-Islamic times to the present day. Running until 30 May and timed to Art Basel Qatar week, the show draws primarily from MIA’s collection, with loans from Qatari institutions and international lenders such as the National Museum of Asian Art at the Smithsonian. It includes historical objects like a 13th-century ewer and a 9th-century Qur’an folio, as well as contemporary works such as Khadim Ali’s *Un-Safe Heaven* (2025), a textile piece embroidered by Afghan men and women. No objects come from Afghan museums, but large-scale wooden models and glass vessels were produced in Afghanistan with help from the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

Scent: Connections, Confrontations, Memory openings at Vanderbilt Museum of Art February 14, 2026

The Vanderbilt University Museum of Art (VUMA) will open a new exhibition titled 'Scent: Connection, Confrontation, Memory' on February 14, 2026. The show explores how artists from diverse cultures represent the sense of smell through interactive installations, sculpture, painting, photography, and a newly commissioned performance by Ainu artist Kanako Uzawa.

Spring 2025: 2 minutes with Rory Fitzgerald Bledsoe

Rory Fitzgerald Bledsoe, a PhD candidate in media studies, operates the multimodal art gallery Space__Space in East Boulder. Her inaugural exhibition, "Phones are Heavy," concluded in January, and a new show, "Archive Fever Dream," is set to open in March. She previously ran a similar gallery, Space 121, out of her Boston apartment.

Sotheby’s to Hold Auction in Diriyah Featuring over 60 Artworks

A priceless 2,500-year-old golden helmet and three golden bracelets from Romania's Dacia civilization, stolen from the Drents Museum in the Netherlands in January 2025, were returned to Romania on Tuesday. The artifacts arrived at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport under guard and were displayed at Bucharest's National History Museum, flanked by armed security. The recovery followed 14 months of investigations, diplomatic tensions, and an ongoing trial of three suspects; one bracelet remains missing but Dutch authorities vow to continue the search.

The Design of Motherhood: MAD’s Exhibition is Personal and Profound

The Museum of Art and Design (MAD) in New York is presenting "Designing Motherhood: Things that Make and Break our Births," an exhibition curated by Elizabeth Koehn that examines fertility and parenthood through over 250 objects, including mass-market items, medical devices, design notes, archival letters, and video. The show features artifacts such as hospital baby blankets, 17 historical pessaries, 12 IUDs, and the Del Em menstrual extraction tool from 1971, alongside clips from the 1952 film "All My Babies" featuring midwife Mary Coley. The exhibition defines motherhood capaciously, not limited to one sex or gender or to biological childbearing, and also addresses choosing to delay or forgo parenthood.

Edinburgh independent arts festival announces open call for artists

Edinburgh's Hidden Door, an annual independent multi-arts festival, has announced an open call for visual artists to submit work for its 2026 edition, running from June 3 to June 7. The festival, which is volunteer-run, received transformative multi-year funding from Creative Scotland through 2027, enabling it to pay artists fairly and expand its ambitions. Artists based in Scotland or with a meaningful connection to the country are invited to apply by January 11, with themes including 'Out-of-Place Objects,' 'Stone Tape Theory,' and 'Myth of a Building.' The venue for 2026 remains secret, with the full program to be announced later.

Chiang Mai Design Week 2025

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Chiang Mai Design Week 2025 (CMDW2025) will take place from December 6 to 14, 2025, under the theme “Local Plus: Creativity, Technology and Sustainability.” Organized by the Creative Economy Agency (CEA) with a network of Northern Thai creatives and entrepreneurs, the festival features over 150 programs across multiple districts in Chiang Mai, including Klang Wiang, Chang Moi - Tha Phae, and Sanpakoi. Highlights include exhibitions like “Make Scents, Make Sense” by CEA and the Thai Perfumers, “The Homecoming Club” by ThairathPlus, and the “CMDW × Mango Art Festival” showcasing international artists. The festival uses mathematical symbols—Plus, Multiply, Divide, Subtract—to convey themes of collaboration, amplification, knowledge sharing, and sustainability, aiming to create an equation of endless possibilities.

With sanctions on Iranian art, buyers are turning to India

The article reports a significant shift in the Islamic art market, where traditional Persianate works from Iran are declining in sales and value, while art from India and historic Arab polities is rising. At Sotheby's April 2025 sale, 14 of 27 Persian works went unsold, continuing a long-term slump. Key factors include U.S. sanctions on Iran that restrict export of Iranian-origin works, aging collectors, maturing museums, and a generational shift away from classical art toward contemporary pieces. In contrast, Mughal art from India is experiencing a steady price increase, reflecting the repositioning of the market away from Persianate mainstays.

OSU Department of Art Faculty Exhibition highlights natural world and technology

The Ohio State University Department of Art Faculty Exhibition is currently on view at the Urban Arts Space, featuring works by 23 full-time, tenured, tenure-track, and visiting faculty. The exhibition spans from historical artifacts to cutting-edge technology, with many works focusing on the natural world or technology. Highlights include virtual reality experiences and David John King's "Here Hear," which combines tiny objects on a rotating platform projected onto a wall via video camera, drawing from the artist's dreams and memories.

Juvenile Triceratops to hit Phillips’ auction blocks this November

Phillips auction house will debut a new category called "Out of This World" within its Modern & Contemporary Art Evening Sale on November 18 in New York, headlined by "Cera," a 66-million-year-old juvenile Triceratops skeleton. The specimen, excavated in 2016 from South Dakota's Hell Creek Formation, is the first full juvenile Triceratops ever discovered and the first Triceratops of any kind to appear at a U.S. auction in over a decade, with an estimate of up to $3.5 million. The sale also includes other natural-history rarities such as a large gold nugget and a fossilized marine reptile.

China Institute Gallery Turns a Setback Into an ‘Urgent’ Contemporary Showcase

China Institute Gallery in New York has transformed a logistical setback into an opportunity, mounting an urgent contemporary art exhibition that showcases works by Chinese and Chinese American artists. The show, organized on short notice after a previously planned exhibition fell through, features a range of pieces addressing themes of identity, diaspora, and cultural heritage, reflecting the gallery's pivot toward more current and pressing artistic conversations.