Summer 2026 Santa Fe gallery shows are awash in new works

Santa Fe galleries are presenting a wave of new summer 2026 exhibitions, featuring works by artists such as Kate Rivers, Rick Stevens, and Guillermo Galindo. Shows range from Rivers' book-based explorations of human connection at Kay Contemporary to Stevens' landscape-inspired abstract paintings and Galindo's multimedia, border-dissolving photographic works at Aurelia Gallery. The exhibitions run from May through September, with openings and receptions scheduled across the city's historic Canyon Road and Plaza districts.

Artistree Gallery hosts Unbound Vol. XIV exhibition

Artistree Gallery in South Pomfret, Vermont, is hosting "Unbound Vol. XIV," an annual exhibition of book art coinciding with the Bookstock literary festival. The show features works by artists including Andre Lee Bassuet, Carole McNamee, Larry Clifford, and Dorsey Hogg, who transform discarded books into sculptures, quilts, and wearable pieces. Notable works include Bassuet's "A Thin Veil," a shawl made from pages of Soviet writer Ilia Ehrenburg's collected works, and "Women in the Field," a cyanotype cloak honoring pioneering women naturalists.

iris van herpen's colossal body of intricate work on view at the brooklyn museum

Iris van Herpen's exhibition "Iris Van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses" opens at the Brooklyn Museum from May 16 to December 6, 2026, featuring over 140 haute couture creations alongside contemporary art, design objects, and natural history specimens. The show, previewed by designboom, is organized around natural themes from water to planetary scale, with the Dutch designer leading a walkthrough that emphasized her inspirations from micro and macro worlds and her process of turning material experiments into wearable sculptures.

'AS THE GROUND HOLDS' at Villepin, Hong Kong on 21 May–8 Aug 2026

Villepin in Hong Kong presents 'As the Ground Holds', a focused exhibition running from 21 May to 8 August 2026. The show brings together works by Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita, Zenzaburō Kojima, Lê Phổ, and Mai Trung Thứ—four artists who made Paris their home during the city's modernist heyday. It marks Kojima's debut in a Hong Kong gallery and reunites works by these migrant artists who navigated the École de Paris in the 1920s and 1930s.

SCST: Celebrating Cultural Exchange Through Art at the Opening Reception of "Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice" Collateral Event of 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale)

At the opening reception of "Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice," a Collateral Event of the 61st Venice Biennale, Hong Kong's Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, delivered a speech celebrating the exhibition. The event marks Hong Kong's 25th year of participation in the Biennale, featuring artists Kingsley Ng and Angel Hui, who present five new site-specific installations that explore stillness and overlooked rhythms of everyday life, in resonance with the Biennale's theme "In Minor Keys." For the first time, the Hong Kong Museum of Art co-organized the exhibition with the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, curating a dialogue between the two artists.

HK artists shine at Venice Biennale with ‘Fermata’ exhibition

Hong Kong artists Kingsley Ng and Angel Hui are showcasing their works at the 61st Venice Biennale in a collateral exhibition titled 'Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice', curated by the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC). The exhibition, which opened on May 8, 2026, features five installations across a courtyard and four gallery rooms, including Ng's multimedia pieces inspired by hanging laundry and Hui's works blending traditional Chinese embroidery and handcrafted iron window grilles. This marks HKMoA's first curation at the Biennale.

Internationally renowned artist to headline new exhibition

Internationally renowned ceramic artist Jin Eui Kim will present his exhibition "Simplicity and Complexity" at The Base, Greenham, from June 26 to August 30. The show features sculptural works exploring illusion and reality, alongside a program of workshops and an evening talk with the artist. Kim, originally from South Korea and now based in Cardiff, holds an MA and PhD in ceramics from Cardiff School of Art & Design, and his work is held in major public collections including Manchester Art Gallery and the National Museum Wales.

Gallery Conversation: Life and Death Lessons from Ancient Egypt (Jul 20)

The Art Institute of Chicago is hosting a gallery conversation titled "Life and Death Lessons from Ancient Egypt" on July 20, exploring ancient Egyptian objects and their reflections on mortality and living fully. The event is led by Ashley Arico, associate curator of ancient Egyptian art, and Sam Ramos, director of Gallery Activation, and will take place in Gallery 50 with folding stools provided.

Bonner David Galleries to open Francis Livingston exhibition in New York

Bonner David Galleries will open 'Reverie in Paint,' a new exhibition by artist Francis Livingston, on May 14 at its New York City location. The show features Livingston's abstract, memory-infused interpretations of New York City architecture, including bridges like the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queensboro Bridges, rendered in a restrained palette of blues and greens with expressive paint application.

Hyderabad galleries host long-duration exhibitions this summer

Two Hyderabad galleries are hosting long-duration summer exhibitions this year, breaking from the city's traditional lean season. Kalakriti Art Gallery in Banjara Hills opened "Prakriti: A Quiet Continuum," a group show of contemporary artists including Lal Bahadur Singh and Sumanto Chowdhury, alongside "Living Lineages," featuring folk and indigenous artists such as Bhuri Bai and Venkat Raman Shyam. Meanwhile, Srishti Art Gallery in Jubilee Hills is presenting the fifth edition of its annual exhibition "Triloka," with works by Moumita Basak, Nayanjyoti Barman, and Nirmal Mondal that explore everyday materials and social change.

Art and Design seniors exhibit their work at Krannert Art Museum

More than 100 seniors from the School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will showcase their final projects at Krannert Art Museum from May 9 to May 16. The Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition features work across all disciplines, including art education, art history, graphic design, industrial design, and studio art. Graphic design students Rinnell Borges and Natalie Mora created the exhibition's branding and catalog under the theme "Myth of Originality," drawing inspiration from fellow students' work and university archives. Individual projects include Borges's syrup packaging concept, Mora's communication guide for Latino communities, Caroline Dorion's charcoal drawings of draped female figures, and Sylvie Leyerle's children's book about her adoption from China.

The Met's Costume Exhibit Finally Made This Obvious Change To Mannequins And Its Exhibit After Years

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute has made a historic shift toward disability and body inclusivity in its annual exhibition, titled "Costume Art." For the first time, the exhibit includes a section called "The Disabled Body," featuring mannequins modeled on disabled bodies, such as those of activist Aimee Mullins, model Aariana Rose Philip, and accessibility consultant Sinéad Burke. Burke and her team at Tilting the Lens consulted on the exhibit for 18 months, suggesting disabled designers like Sugandha Gupta and Helen Cookman, and donated pieces to the permanent collection. The Met Gala also became accessible for the first time since 1948, with wheelchair user Aariana Rose Philip attending as the first ever.

Longtime art and studio complex in downtown Wilmington is for sale

Acme Art Studios, a longtime visual arts institution in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina, has been listed for sale at $4.4 million. The one-acre complex at 711 N. Fifth Ave. includes a 12,000-square-foot warehouse with studio and gallery space, plus four vacant lots. Founded in 1991 by a collective of artists in a former carpet warehouse, Acme has become a vital hub for the local arts scene, renting to dozens of artists and hosting countless shows over more than three decades. The property is owned by five artists, including co-founder Pam Toll, who said the decision to sell was unanimous and that the timing is right for a number of reasons.

Winnipeg exhibition traces the revival of Red River Métis beadwork

The exhibition 'Beading Métis Resurgence' at the University of Winnipeg's Gallery 1C03 showcases the work of renowned Métis artist Jennine Krauchi alongside four emerging Red River Métis beadworkers she has mentored. Curated by gallery director Jennifer Gibson and history professor Cathy Mattes, the show features Krauchi's centerpiece work 'The Lady'—a beaded coat, muff, hat, and boots—and explores beadwork as contemporary art, cultural knowledge, and intergenerational practice. The exhibition runs until July 10 and includes a table and chairs evoking the kitchen-table lessons where Krauchi passed down her skills.

Art in Our Region: What’s On in May

This article is a regional arts calendar for Grey Bruce, Ontario, detailing exhibitions and events taking place in May 2026. Highlights include Liz Zetlin's immersive video installation "More Than Human — a year in my garden" at the Tom, John Laughlin's "Lovers and Losers" at Grey Gallery, Tanya Zaryski's mixed-media show at Deep Water Gallery, and a stained-glass exhibition by Chris Malleck at the MAD Gallery. The Durham Art Gallery features Breanne Jeethan's "The System is Broken," and the Southampton Arts Centre presents complementary shows by Brian Hanley and Nancy Cornforth. The article also promotes the BiblioArts print and book arts fair, studio classes at Georgian Bay School for the Arts, and makers markets.

No One Understood the 2026 Met Gala Theme Quite Like Bad Bunny

At the 2026 Met Gala, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny arrived in a transformative look that made him nearly unrecognizable. He wore a black pussy-bow blouse, wrap blazer, and trousers, with prosthetics and makeup by Mike Marin turning him into an old man, accessorized with a cane. The gala's theme, inspired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art's 'Costume as Art' exhibition, had a dress code of 'Fashion is Art,' and Bad Bunny's choice specifically highlighted the aging body, aligning with the exhibition's focus on the body at all stages.

Linguistics

The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) announced a lecture by linguist Dr. Salikoko S. Mufwene, exploring the evolution of language and symbols, alongside an exhibition of Gelsy Verna's artwork "Mother, Father, Please Help Me" (May 7–September 27, 2026). Verna, a Haitian-born Canadian artist and former University of Wisconsin–Madison professor, created the piece as a palimpsest over several years in collaboration with David Dunlap; the reverse side has been reproduced for display. MMoCA has added the work to its permanent collection.

National Museum Showcases Danwon Kim Hong-do's Multifaceted Genius

The National Museum of Korea has opened a new exhibition titled *Danwon Kim Hong-do, Painting the Era* in its renovated painting and calligraphy gallery, showcasing 96 works from 50 collections. The exhibition highlights Kim Hong-do's versatility beyond his famous genre paintings, featuring landscapes, documentary paintings, and floral art, including the first public display of *Chongseokjeongdo* (1795) from a private collection. Director You Hong-june emphasizes Kim's unmatched lyrical depth and technical skill across all genres.

Met Gala 2026: Stars Bring Art-Inspired Looks to the Met Stairs

The 2026 Met Gala took place on May 4 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, celebrating the opening of the "Costume Art" exhibition. A host of celebrities including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Blue Ivy Carter, Serena Williams, Janelle Monáe, Venus Williams, Ciara, Anderson .Paak, Naomi Osaka, Yseult, Anok Yai, Jon Batiste, and Suleika Jaouad arrived at the museum's iconic stairs wearing art-inspired looks. The event was covered by photographers Evan Agostini and Charles Sykes for the Associated Press.

‘Still Breathing’ showcases Koh Sang-woo's artistic journey through the lives of wounded, abused animals

Artist Koh Sang-woo's solo exhibition "Still Breathing" opened at the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art in Seoul, featuring paintings of wounded, abused, and endangered animals. The show includes portraits of spotted seals from a project with WWF Korea, works from a partnership with Cheongju Zoo (including a vulture named Hana and a zebra named Sero), and a rabbit blinded in cosmetic testing. Koh uses a signature blue-inversion technique, and the exhibition is curated by museum director Lee Myung-ok.

Exhibition | Carlo D'Anselmi, 'Secrets and Mountains' at Fabienne Levy, Lausanne, Switzerland

Carlo D'Anselmi's solo exhibition 'Secrets and Mountains' opens at Fabienne Levy in Lausanne, Switzerland. The show presents a new body of work created during the artist's first stay in Switzerland, overlooking the French Alps, where he observed the transition from winter into spring. His dreamlike paintings blend figures, animals, and landscapes, exploring memory, light, nature, and the shifting boundary between reality and fiction. D'Anselmi holds an MFA from the New York Studio School and is represented by Thierry Goldberg Gallery in New York.

National Cowboy Museum's Route 66 exhibit is closing soon

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City is closing its Route 66 exhibit soon. Chief Curatorial Officer David Davis explains that the museum's location on Route 66 was the original reason for its founding, and the exhibit explores the historic highway's deep connection to the institution.

‘Art of Manga’ makes East Coast debut at Brooklyn Museum

The article announces the East Coast debut of the 'Art of Manga' exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. This marks the first time the show, which explores the history and cultural impact of Japanese manga, is presented on the East Coast of the United States.

Metropolitan Museum of Art: Ultimate 2026 Guide for Travelers

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is drawing record crowds in spring 2026 with its latest exhibitions, including newly restored ancient artifacts. The article, written by travel editor Elena Müller, positions The Met as a top cultural destination for American travelers, highlighting its location on Manhattan's Upper East Side, its Beaux-Arts architecture, and its proximity to Central Park. It also covers the museum's founding in 1870, its expansion into a neoclassical landmark on Museum Mile, and its role as a cornerstone of New York's cultural landscape.

You Need To See This Queensland Artist’s New Solo Exhibition

Mitchell Fine Art in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley is hosting a free solo exhibition titled 'Unbound' by Sunshine Coast-based artist Odessa Mahony-de Vries, running from May 5 to May 16, 2026. The show features large-scale abstract expressionist oil paintings, with a launch event on May 8 offering the public a chance to meet the artist. Mahony-de Vries, a finalist in the 2025 Redland Art and 2024 Stanthorpe Art Prize, creates works that balance control and unpredictability, leaving earlier brushstrokes visible to embed the history of each piece.

Billy Ireland Cartoon Library Reopening Brings Rare Comics Exhibit To Columbus

The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum in Columbus, Ohio, is reopening after renovations, featuring a new exhibition of rare comics and original artwork from its extensive collection. The library, part of Ohio State University, holds one of the largest collections of cartoon and comic art in the world, including works by celebrated cartoonists.

Jule Korneffel Captures the Weight of the Pre-Dawn Sky at Spencer Brownstone Gallery, NYC

Jule Korneffel's third solo exhibition at Spencer Brownstone Gallery in New York, titled 'In Search of Lost Light,' presents a series of paintings that capture the quiet, liminal moments just before dawn. Using artist-mixed natural pigments, Korneffel shifts from her previous twilight-focused work to explore the anticipation of daylight, with pieces like the titular painting (2025) standing out for its playful, musical composition. The show also includes a mural in the gallery's back patio that blends colors into a grey neutral tone reminiscent of early-morning skies.

Byblos dans le fracas du monde

The article reviews an immersive exhibition at the Institut du monde arabe in Paris titled "Byblos, cité millénaire du Liban," which presents over 470 archaeological artifacts from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos in present-day Lebanon. The show features national treasures rarely or never before exhibited outside Lebanon, including stone anchors, statuettes, engraved stelae, gold and silver vessels, and a Roman mosaic depicting the abduction of Europa. The scenography plunges visitors into underwater and subterranean environments, evoking the city's 9,000-year history as a Mediterranean trade and diplomatic hub, its ties with Egyptian pharaohs through cedar wood, and its role in spreading the Phoenician alphabet.

Interview with Pietro Vallone, new president of the Association of Modern and Contemporary Art Galleries in Italy

Intervista a Pietro Vallone nuovo presidente dell’Associazione delle gallerie d’arte moderna e contemporanea in Italia

Pietro Vallone, partner and financial director of Massimo De Carlo, has been elected the new president of ANGAMC (Associazione Nazionale Gallerie d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea) for the 2026-2030 term. The election took place during the association's ordinary assembly at Triennale di Milano on May 25, 2026, where a new board of directors, including vice presidents Giovanni Bonelli and Claudia Ciaccio, was also appointed. In an interview following his election, Vallone addressed the challenges facing Italian galleries, including a structural slowdown in the global art market due to geopolitical instability, economic shifts, and changing patterns of cultural consumption and collecting.

RTRU* (*Raudive Technoculture Research Unit) at KAJE

The exhibition "RTRU* (*Raudive Technoculture Research Unit)" is on view at KAJE in Brooklyn from April 4 to May 17, 2026. Curated by the Riga Technoculture Research Unit (Zane Onckule and Elizaveta Shneyderman), the show features works by Ka Baird, Scott Benzel, Valdis Celms, Cal Fish, Jason Isolini, Voldemārs Matvejs, Karlīna Mežecka, Adriana Ramić, Konstantīns Raudive, and Ieva Rubeze. The press release and checklist are available, and images of the exhibition are provided courtesy of the artists and the gallery.