Free contemporary art shows to open in the postmodern 1 Poultry building

Three temporary art galleries are opening on the ground floor of the postmodern No.1 Poultry building in the City of London, near Bank tube station. Operated by arts charity Hypha Studios and supported by the Cheapside Business Alliance, the spaces will host 24 exhibitions over the course of a year, starting in September 2025. The first three exhibitions are free and open to the public from Thursday 25th September 2025. Gallery 2, in partnership with art and architecture platform recessed.space, will focus on exhibitions relating to the living environment, while Galleries 1 and 3 will feature a range of contemporary artists and curators. The initiative is part of a meanwhile use programme during a refurbishment of the building’s interior to reduce energy consumption.

Starland's Cute Tomatoes Gallery showcases authenticity for Savannah-based artists

A new art gallery called Cute Tomatoes Gallery has opened in Savannah's 41st Street district, next to Natasha Gaskill's restaurant Sixby and near other local hotspots. The gallery focuses on showcasing authenticity for Savannah-based artists, providing a fresh platform for local creative voices in the city's growing arts scene.

Frieze opens permanent base in Seoul

Frieze is opening a permanent exhibition space in Seoul called Frieze Seoul House, set to debut alongside Frieze Seoul 2025. Located in a former home in the Yaksu-dong neighborhood, the venue will model itself after Frieze's No. 9 Cork Street in London, offering temporary selling spaces for galleries from out of town. The space will also host non-commercial programming, including exhibitions by architects, film-makers, and fashion designers, as well as talks and lectures. Frieze will relocate its Seoul office to the building, which was designed in 1988 and renovated by local studio Samuso Hyoja.

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.

New In Town: Elliði, RÝMD, La Boutique Design Gallery, Starbucks

The Reykjavík Grapevine highlights four new establishments in Reykjavík: Elliði, a coffeehouse with a gallery space in Elliðaárdalur; RÝMD, an artist-run space in Breiðholt reopening with a new team; La Boutique Design Gallery, a design store that has transformed its first floor into an exhibition space; and a new Starbucks on Laugavegur, which the article criticizes as part of the city's commercialization.

Prospect New Orleans will not take place in 2027

Prospect New Orleans, the contemporary-art triennial, will not hold its city-wide exhibition in 2027. Instead, the organization will publish a book titled "20 Years of Prospect" to mark its 20th anniversary, featuring essays, personal accounts, and archival images. Executive director Nick Stillman told Artnews that launching another large-scale exhibition is "not the focus right now," citing a need to pause, reflect on the triennial's legacy, and ensure its accomplishments are properly documented. Financial pressures and national political uncertainty, including concerns about federal arts funding under the Trump administration, also influenced the decision.

New art exhibit showcases local artist's nostalgic portrayals of La Crosse landmarks

A new art exhibit at the Pump House Regional Arts Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin, features the work of local artist John Smith, who creates nostalgic paintings of iconic La Crosse landmarks. The show, titled 'Memories of La Crosse,' includes depictions of the historic Riverside Park bandshell, the Cass Street Bridge, and other beloved sites, rendered in a warm, impressionistic style that evokes the city's past.

100 Years of Leighton House

Leighton House in London has announced a year-long centenary program for 2026, marking 100 years since the house opened as a museum. The centerpiece is "The Arab Hall: Past and Present" (21 March – 4 October 2026), featuring three site-specific installations by artists Ramzi Mallat, Kamilah Ahmed, and Soraya Syed, a short film by Syrian filmmaker Soudade Kaadan, and an exhibition of original designs by George Aitchison, William De Morgan, and Walter Crane, alongside new research by Dr. Melanie Gibson published in a fully illustrated book. The museum is also collecting public memories and memorabilia for a Centenary Archive, and has formed an Advisory Panel to inform the exhibition.

New location for Toi Pōneke Arts Centre announced

Wellington City Council has announced a new location for Toi Pōneke Arts Centre at Market Lane, offering 1,959 square meters of floor space across three levels. The facility will include artist studios, offices, a workshop space, dance and drama rehearsal rooms, a gallery, and a cultural/pōwhiri space. The move is part of the Council's Long-term Plan, with a total budget of $6 million for design and fit-out. Applications for limited-term artist studios, arts offices, and workshop space will open on 27 August 2025 and close on 28 September 2025.

Boston Young Contemporaries 2025 Exhibition Mentioned in The Boston Globe’s The Ticket | College of Fine Arts

The Boston Young Contemporaries 2025 exhibition, mentioned in The Boston Globe's "The Ticket" column, is currently on view through July 26 at Boston University Art Galleries' Faye G., Jo, and James Stone Gallery. The show features works by current and recently graduated MFA students from Boston art schools, including Boston University, the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, and Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Juried by Selby Nimrod, director of exhibitions and commons at MIT's School of Architecture + Planning, the exhibition revives a tradition that began over 20 years ago when students organized a summer showcase of their best work.

Forbidden skate ramp sculpture wins Community Art Exhibition

Harry Young's sculpture "Forbidden Skate Ramp," a miniature concrete replica of the Telstra building in Perth's CBD, won the top prize at the City of Joondalup Community Art Exhibition. The work was praised for its clever play on scale and connection to local folklore about the building's roof resembling a skate ramp. Young received $4,000 for the award. Other winners include Soyang Lee (highly commended for "My Garden"), Fred Maris (Celebrating Joondalup award for "Burns Beach"), and Pippa Rivett (student award for "Emerging"). The exhibition features over 150 artworks at Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City through June 28.

Random Sample Expands Its Footprint — and Its Vision

Random Sample, an art space in Nashville, is expanding both its physical footprint and its artistic vision. The organization is growing to accommodate more ambitious programming and a broader community engagement strategy.

XICANA! San Diego art exhibition opens in Escondido, celebrating culture, identity, and resilience

A new exhibition titled XICANA! San Diego has opened at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, featuring over 250 artworks by more than 100 Chicana artists from Southern California. The show includes sculptures, murals, photography, and lowrider installations, with a centerpiece 14-foot sculpture of the Aztec goddess Tonantzin by guest artist Louis Verdad, and a custom lowrider owned by Rachel Zepeta. The exhibition is curated by Dulce Stein in collaboration with ESMoA and the City Heights Community Development.

Acne Studios opens its first gallery at the Palais Royal

Swedish fashion brand Acne Studios will open its first permanent art gallery on June 26 under the historic arches of the Palais Royal in Paris. The gallery follows the editorial line of Acne Paper, the brand's biannual publication, and will host a multidisciplinary program including exhibitions, talks, book signings, and cultural events. Its inaugural exhibition features the experimental photography of Dutch artist Paul Kooiker.

Liverpool Biennial 2025 digs deep into its city’s foundations with ‘Bedrock’ theme

The 13th edition of the Liverpool Biennial, titled 'Bedrock,' will run from June 7 to September 14, 2025, across 18 venues in the UK's largest city-wide contemporary art festival. Curated by Marie-Anne McQuay, the exhibition brings together 30 international artists and collectives with 22 new commissions, placing works in galleries, libraries, cathedrals, shopfronts, and public squares. The theme explores Liverpool's literal sandstone foundations as a metaphor for its layered histories—colonial empire, industry, civic resilience, and community life. Notable works include Amber Akaunu's film 'Dear Othermother' at Bluecoat, Linda Lamignan's triptych at FACT Liverpool, and Dawit L. Petros's installation at Liverpool Central Library.

Powerful portrait wins top prize at Gosnells Art Awards

Ariel Katzir's mixed-media portrait 'I do see you' won the Overall Acquisitive Award at the City of Gosnells Community Art Exhibition and Awards, earning $5,000 and a place in the city's art collection. The painting depicts local non-verbal First Nations artist Darryl Dempster, who communicates through his art. Other category winners received $500 across media including oil, acrylic, watercolour, digital, mixed media, youth, and Aboriginal artist categories. The exhibition runs until May 25, with a People's Choice Award sponsored by Maddington Central.

Where the bay meets the brush: Pier 29 reimagined as a hub for SF's artists

The Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST) has partnered with the San Francisco Port Commission to transform Pier 29, a long-vacant warehouse on the city's waterfront, into a major cultural hub. The 47,000-square-foot indoor space and 23,000-square-foot outdoor area will house exhibitions, residencies, performances, and a new residency program called Art + Water, led by author Dave Eggers and San Francisco Arts Commission member JD Beltran, providing affordable studio space for emerging and underserved local artists. CAST is investing $300,000 and the Port $500,000, with a two-year lease and an option to extend, aiming to open in January 2026.

How Much Art Is Too Much? A Guide to the New York Fairs.

New York City is hosting a wave of art fairs this week, featuring Latin American galleries, world-class photography, and upcycled design. The article highlights seven fairs worth visiting among many, offering a guide to navigate the crowded event landscape.

A Panorama of Design during the NYCxDesign Festival

The article provides a broad overview of the NYCxDesign Festival, highlighting notable news, product launches, and events taking place across New York City during the design festival. It covers a range of design-related activities, from exhibitions and product debuts to talks and installations, capturing the vibrant atmosphere of the citywide celebration of design.

The Audacity of Art at the Obama Presidential Center

Barack and Michelle Obama commissioned 30 artists to create site-specific works for the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago's South Side, which begins visitor previews next week. The commissioned artworks span multiple media and will be integrated throughout the campus, reflecting the Obamas' commitment to public art and community engagement.

In Indianapolis, a New Contemporary Art Museum Comes With a D.J.

The Indianapolis Contemporary (ICon) has officially opened its doors in a transformed 40,000-square-foot former dairy barn, signaling a bold new chapter for the city’s arts scene. This non-collecting institution aims to dismantle the traditional, often sterile museum experience by integrating live music, social spaces, and a rotating roster of site-specific installations that prioritize community engagement over historical preservation.

Yearning for Sun, New Yorkers Soak Up the Sauna

New Yorkers gathered at the waterfront for the Culture of Bathe-ing Festival, an event centered around public saunas and cold-water plunges. The festival offered a communal, wellness-focused experience as a respite from the urban grind and recent cold weather.

A Painter Reveals Hong Kong’s Natural Wonders — and Where to See Them

Hong Kong-based painter Stephen Wong Chun Hei, who spent much of his childhood indoors, has become an avid hiker and now creates vibrant, colorful paintings of the city's natural landscapes. His work focuses on capturing the dramatic geology, lush vegetation, and hidden trails of Hong Kong's country parks and coastal areas.

Exploring Hong Kong’s Textile Trail

A new cultural initiative in Hong Kong, the 'Textile Trail,' guides visitors through several neighborhoods to explore the city's industrial past as a major Asian textile exporter. The trail features preserved factories, warehouses, and other architectural remnants that tell the story of this foundational industry.

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.

First Fridays gallery openings for Red Deer

Red Deer's First Fridays gallery openings for December 2025 feature multiple exhibitions across the city. The Red Deer Arts Council and Red Deer Public Library present “The Canadian Landscape Abstract Paintings” by John Bladek at Kiwanis Gallery (Dec. 2–Feb. 8, 2026), showcasing abstract interpretations of iconic Canadian scenes. The Red Deer Arts Council Community Gallery hosts the Mini Masters Year-End Fundraiser pop-up (Nov. 17–Jan. 5, 2026), selling small artworks to support local arts. At the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery (MAG), Tim Smith's photography exhibition “In the world, but not of it. Hutterite” (Dec. 6–March 7, 2026) documents Hutterite communal life, while Bailey Horton's “UNHAMPERED” (Dec. 5–March 15, 2026) addresses food security through collaborative art. Curiosity Art & Framing presents “Winter's Gift” featuring works by Brenda Garrett, Larry Reese, and others.

Extraordinary opening of Forte Aurelia in Rome. The military garrison becomes a new space for culture

Apertura straordinaria del Forte Aurelia a Roma. Il presidio militare diventa nuovo spazio per la cultura

After ten years of restoration, the Forte Aurelia complex in Rome has reopened to the public as a cultural space, museum, and venue for events and exhibitions. Built between 1877 and 1881 as part of Rome's defensive ring, the fort was later used as a shelter, Red Cross hospital, and logistics center for the Guardia di Finanza. The official inauguration took place on the symbolic date of Rome's founding, attended by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, and Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli, who framed the project within a broader strategy to enhance the city's historical heritage.

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.

A Genova riapre dopo un lungo restauro la Torre Grimaldina. La visita al belvedere di Palazzo Ducale

The Torre Grimaldina, a medieval tower in Genoa's Palazzo Ducale, has reopened after extensive restoration and safety upgrades funded by Italy's PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan). Built in the late 13th century as a symbol of municipal power, the tower later served as a prison for political dissidents, including Risorgimento patriots and anti-fascist activists, as well as the violinist Niccolò Paganini. The restoration has preserved historic graffiti and inscriptions left by inmates, while reopening the tower's belvedere offering panoramic views of the city.

Photographer Valerio Minato strikes again. The extraordinary shot of the red moon aligned with the Milan skyline: 'I waited for 5 years'

Il fotografo Valerio Minato colpisce ancora. Lo straordinario scatto della luna rossa allineata con lo skyline di Milano: “ho atteso per 5 anni”

Italian photographer Valerio Minato captured a striking image on May 2, 2026, showing a giant red moon aligned with Milan's skyline, including the Porta Garibaldi skyscrapers and the Duomo with its Madonnina. The photograph, which went viral, was the result of a five-year pursuit involving astronomical calculations, multiple location scouting across northwestern Italy, and precise timing to align the moon with the city's landmarks. A Ryanair Boeing 737-800 crossing the lunar disk added an unexpected cinematic element.