Local Stand-Up Comedian to Open Artist Studio, Gallery in Over-the-Rhine

Local stand-up comedian and portrait photographer Kevin James Thornton is opening a new creative studio and gallery called Shamala Hamala at 1306 Main Street in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood this Friday. The space includes a private artist workspace with a photographic darkroom, curated exhibitions, and a gallery selling art and creative goods. An opening night celebration on Friday features a harpist, live crocheting, and work from local artists, with free walk-in access after 8 p.m., followed by open hours Saturday and Sunday.

Alameda Senior Center Showcases Local Artwork

The Mastick Senior Center in Alameda, California, is hosting its 24th annual art exhibition, featuring 159 artworks from 88 artists, all members of the center. The show opened in June and runs through August 15, marking the largest edition yet, with expanded participation from members who create art independently. Curated by Alison Limoges and Diane Alabaster, the exhibition includes diverse mediums such as ceramics, mosaics, stained glass, knitting, jewelry, quilts, and for the first time, Chinese ink paintings. The center, which serves adults aged 50 and older, has transformed multiple rooms—including the dining room, game room, media room, and lobby—to accommodate the record number of pieces.

Cape artist Jackie Reeves sets up her 'No Fixed Address' show in South Yarmouth

Cape artist Jackie Reeves is installing her exhibition "No Fixed Address" at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts. The show, documented in photographs taken on July 23, 2025, features Reeves's painted canvases and includes a depiction of the U.S. Capitol building, with the artist seen setting up works in the gallery and vault room.

Fort Worth Contemporary Arts to Open New Location in September

Fort Worth Contemporary Arts (FWCA), the contemporary art gallery of Texas Christian University (TCU), will open a new 2,000-square-foot location at 3050 Waits Avenue in September 2025, one block from its former site. The inaugural exhibition on September 5 will be "Indian Removal Act III: We are a Wounding" by San Antonio artist Joe Harjo, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma, continuing his series on Native American historical and contemporary issues. The previous location at 2900 W. Berry Street closed in November 2024 after a final memorial exhibition honoring influential faculty member Dr. Frances Colpitt, as the university repurposes the site for student housing under an $83 million development plan.

Turkish power plant reborn as regional cultural hub

A century-old power plant in Merzifon, northern Turkey, has been transformed into a cultural hub called Motorhane, opening late last month with a concert and an exhibition of local artists. The building retains its original generator, pressure valve, and switch room, with unplastered walls and concrete floors awaiting restoration. The project is backed by the Motorhane Culture Network (MOKA), supported by Ortaklaşa—a cultural development body administered by the Istanbul Culture and Arts Foundation (İKSV)—and funded by a €3 million EU grant. Other MOKA members include the Sinop Sustainable Development Association, which runs the Sinopale biennial.

Awash in color: Newport Beach Art Exhibition showcases over 200 works by area artists

The 58th annual Newport Beach Art Exhibition took place on June 30, 2025, at the Newport Beach Civic Center, drawing about 2,000 attendees. The one-day event featured over 240 artworks including paintings, sculptures, photography, and mixed media, displayed in the Community Room and Civic Green. Notable participants included Joyce Cox, whose oil on linen painting "Soaking Up The Zen" attracted attention; Jeff Guzzetta, who won third place in 3-D art for a stained glass mosaic surfboard titled "Sol"; and Elena Kealy, who received the Juror's Choice Award for her oil on canvas work "Bliss." Other award winners included Kevin Avery, who took second place in Photography for "Rich Strike." The exhibition was organized by the Newport Beach Library and supported by the Newport Beach Arts Foundation.

Today or Tomorrow at Atelier 8.18: A Home Studio Exhibition

Artists Emiko Mizukami, Julie Sabey, Lena Sin, and Nicole Lau present 'Today or Tomorrow,' a home studio exhibition at Atelier 8.18, the living room of curator Kyla Bourgh. The show explores food's connection to culture, memory, and community through each artist's personal lens—from Sin's joyful table settings inspired by travels to Mizukami's fantasy narratives around Japanese preservation traditions, Sabey's childhood birthday party memories, and Lau's transformation of prepackaged foods into colorful artworks.

Kinhouse Art Gallery and Residency is bringing artists to Fort Wayne

Kinhouse Art Gallery and Residency, founded by artists Kaylan Buteyn and Dana Caldera, has opened a new artist residency space in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The residency offers one-week stays in a colorful three-bedroom house with two studio spaces, providing a solitary and focused experience for visiting artists. The gallery and studio spaces are also part of the business, located in the 46808 area.

Village Art Gallery opens on Brevard Avenue in Cocoa Village

The Village Art Gallery has opened at 200 Brevard Avenue in historic Cocoa Village, owned by local artists Bruce Reigle and Teri Roper. The gallery represents 37 artists across multiple media including painting, photography, pottery, sculpture, and jewelry, and features a dedicated music/art room with ukuleles and hand-painted guitars, as well as a workshop for building and repairing picture frames and furniture. Reigle co-founded the Ukulele Lending Program with the Brevard County Library System, and the gallery is seeking donations to expand the program to all 17 libraries. The space also offers fine-art and drawing classes, and a Crystal Bowl Meditation event is scheduled for May 29.

Southern Israel art exhibition explores trauma of Oct 7

An art exhibition in southern Israel brought together religious and secular artists to process the trauma of the October 7 Hamas-led massacre. Held at the Shafir Youth Center, the event was part of the Herzog Center for Promoting Inclusive Creativity's yearlong "Creating Space" initiative, curated by Israeli designer Zohar Yerom. Works spanned movement, poetry, painting, sculpture, and video art, with interactive installations including Avivit Shaked's "The Womb" and Avital Ora Fishwait's "The Birth Room." Audience members participated by writing pre-October 7 memories and painting images of healing.

New Building at Burg Halle Takes Shape

Neubau an der Burg Halle nimmt Form an

The long-delayed new building for the Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle (University of Art and Design Halle) is moving forward, with a construction start now planned for autumn 2027. The Finance Committee of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament has approved the updated cost estimate of around 42 million euros, clearing the way for the project. While the building was originally slated for completion in 2027, a more realistic finish date is now 2030, with preparatory moves and demolition work scheduled to begin in late 2026.

US Government Submits Plans for Triumphal Arch to Commission

US-Regierung reicht Plan für Triumphbogen bei Kommission ein

President Donald Trump has submitted formal plans to the Commission of Fine Arts for a monumental triumphal arch to be located near Washington, D.C. Proposed to stand at 76 meters tall, the structure would significantly surpass the height of Paris's Arc de Triomphe. The project, which Trump describes as the "largest and most beautiful" in the world, is slated for a site near the Arlington Memorial Bridge leading to the Lincoln Memorial.

New experimental art gallery launches in Brighton

A new experimental art gallery, the Founders Room, is launching in Brighton in May 2026 as part of the Brighton Festival. The inaugural exhibition, titled Act 0, is organized by The Adelaide Salon in collaboration with Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival. It features works by two artist couples—Isobel Smith and The Baron Gilvan, and Lucy Newman and Bob Dixon—exploring process-led, relational, and interdisciplinary practices. The exhibition questions the boundary between artist and artwork, presenting painting, drawing, and performance-led works that blur authorship and lived experience.

The Museum of the Surrender of Reims Reopens After a Year of Renovations

Le Musée de la Reddition de Reims rouvre ses portes après un an de travaux

The Musée de la Reddition de Reims (Museum of the Surrender of Reims) reopened on May 7, the 81st anniversary of the German surrender signed in its map room, after a year-long closure. The renovation, costing approximately €2 million, focused on conservation: protective glazing, improved ventilation and lighting, and anoxic treatment of collections to halt degradation of original maps, documents, and war room objects. The museum also overhauled its scenography, designed by Belgian agency Kascen, to present a clearer chronological narrative covering the occupation, Allied presence in Reims, liberation, postwar reconstruction, and reconciliation, rather than just the surrender itself. The museum now displays 17 uniforms, 130 objects and weapons, and 65 archival documents, including the act of capitulation and General McAuliffe's jacket.

The Château de Breteuil upgrades its offering

Le château de Breteuil monte en gamme

François and Pauline de Breteuil, the son and daughter-in-law of the 10th Marquis de Breteuil, have initiated a strategic shift for the centuries-old Château de Breteuil in the Chevreuse Valley, one year after taking over the family estate. They are moving the château's positioning away from its previous focus on family tourism and Perrault's fairy tales toward a more museum-like and prestigious experience. This 'upgrading' includes the opening of a new on-site restaurant, the Café d'Achille, and the redecoration of four rooms by interior designer Jacques Garcia, creating period rooms dedicated to the 18th century, Marie Antoinette, and the Empire style.

Colossal Members Have Funded 100 Projects in K-12 Classrooms through DonorsChoose

Colossal has reached a significant milestone by funding 100 K-12 classroom projects across the United States through its partnership with the nonprofit DonorsChoose. Supported by a portion of Colossal Membership fees, the initiative has contributed over $13,000 to provide essential art supplies, sketchbooks, and equipment to students. The program places a special emphasis on supporting schools in Chicago, ensuring that young learners have the tools necessary for creative expression and artistic education.

Fulton students promote peace with art exhibit

Fulton Public Schools students displayed over 80 artworks in the "Building Peace: From Within to the World" exhibit at the Mildred M. Cox Gallery in William Woods University's Kemper Art Center. The show, open Monday through Friday, was organized in partnership with the William Woods Rotaract Club, the Fulton Rotary Club, and Fulton Public Schools, with funding from a Rotary peace project grant. Art teachers Pamela Doss and Rebecca Diekamp coordinated student submissions from kindergarten through 12th grade, with works exploring themes of inner peace, community kindness, and symbolic acts of making a difference.

Slane Castle Unveils CAIM: A groundbreaking contemporary art exhibition

Slane Castle in Ireland has announced CAIM, a new contemporary art program launching with an inaugural exhibition from September 12th to 30th. Curated by Jenn Ellis of Apsara Studio and Matilda Liu of Meeting Point Projects, the exhibition will feature immersive installations, sculptures, and multimedia works by emerging and established international and local artists. The works engage with themes of protection, ritual, and humanity's bond with nature, set within the castle's historic grounds and state rooms. The opening weekend includes an exclusive Riverside Gala Dinner on September 13th.

Creative Well Arts Foundation opening doors at new gallery on Coast Live

Creative Well Arts Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by artists Monica Turley and Tessa Hall Duquette, has opened its first gallery in Virginia Beach. Located in the former 17th Street Marketplace space at the corner of Mediterranean Avenue and Virginia Beach Boulevard, the 2,500-square-foot facility includes five artist studios, a rotating art gallery, and a multi-use classroom focused on therapeutic arts education and community connection. The foundation was established through donors, grants, and tax-deductible donations, and its inaugural exhibition, “Where is the Color: A Solo Exhibition by DKANE,” is scheduled for August 8.

'Room of Wonders' exhibit opens at Cantor Art Gallery at the College of the Holy Cross

The 'Room of Wonders: A Worcester Wunderkammer' exhibition has opened at the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery at the Priory Arts Center, College of the Holy Cross. Curated by Birgit Straehle, the show features works by artists including Abu Mwenye, Caelum Lam, Jose Vicente Criollo, and Madeleine Lord, with sculptures such as Criollo's 'Night Owl' (2025) and 'Fish' (2023), and Lord's 'Old Friends' (2022) and 'Saint Recyclus' (2024). The opening reception took place on June 6, 2025, drawing local arts organizer Tina Zlody and Holy Cross staff member Casey Denis.

Collected Gallery Brings Affordable Art to Northeast

LJ Bergren has opened Collected Gallery in Northeast Minneapolis, a small house-turned-gallery that prioritizes affordability and accessibility. The gallery sells a range of mediums including prints, ceramics, jewelry, and lithography, with artists on six-month contracts to ensure a rotating selection. Bergren, an artist and collector herself, aims to make art available to all budgets, offering shipping nationwide and planning extended summer hours as many employees are students at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. The grand opening in April drew a wide community response, with visitors praising the approachable atmosphere and accessible prices.

Renewal of spirit: Innovative photography gallery, listening room opens at 78th Street Studios

Cleveland artist Jason Toth has opened a new studio and gallery space at 78th Street Studios, featuring an immersive listening room called "Surrender & Smile" that combines high-end audio with hyper-colored photography installations. The 1,800-square-foot space includes a gallery hall, main exhibition area, and a specially designed listening room with acoustic treatments from Cleveland-based Audimute. The opening night on March 21 drew over 200 visitors who experienced an AI-animated projection of Toth's artwork. Toth plans to offer private meditation and music listening sessions, and to launch a live-stream concert series called "The Surrender Sessions" modeled after NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts.

Venkatappa Art Gallery reopens in Bengaluru after renovation

The Venkatappa Art Gallery in Bengaluru has reopened after months of renovation, coinciding with its Golden Jubilee year. The refurbished space now features dedicated sections for artists K Venkatappa and KK Hebbar, five mini galleries for rotating exhibitions, a curated bookstore, a state-of-the-art restoration room, a sculpture park, and improved accessibility with ramps and elevators. The gallery displays 436 objects by Venkatappa, 68 works by Hebbar, and 26 sculptures by Rajaram. The renovation, led by Brigade Foundation at a cost of Rs 10 crore, began in March 2024.

The Center Announces Community Art Gallery for HopeFest 2026

The Center for Counseling & Consultation in Great Bend, Kansas, has announced a community art gallery titled "Because Every Story Deserves to Be Seen" as part of HopeFest 2026. The gallery invites local artists, community members, and classrooms of all ages to submit artwork exploring themes of mental health, healing, resilience, and hope. Submissions in various mediums including painting, photography, mixed media, sculpture, poetry, and fiber art will be accepted through August 1, 2026, with selected works displayed at the event on September 19 and some pieces potentially shown for an extended period afterward.

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.

Story of Stampé is the new social atelier in Turin: art gallery, workshop, laboratory of ideas and participation

Storia di Stampé è il nuovo atelier sociale di Torino: galleria d’arte, bottega, laboratorio di idee e di partecipazione

Stampé, a new community atelier in Turin, Italy, has opened at Via Stampatori 5, a historic street once home to printers. The space is a hybrid cultural hub combining an art gallery, a workshop, a showroom for artisanal and food products, and a social enterprise incubator. It launched with a group exhibition featuring seven cultural associations and the communication agency Hello Tomorrow, showcasing works by emerging artists and graphic artworks from past events. The initiative is part of the "Piani Generativi 2" social enterprise development project, funded by the city of Turin and the Compagnia di San Paolo foundation.

The arrival of the Orient Express hotel in Venice reopens the historic Palazzo Donà Giovannelli (filling it with contemporary art)

L’arrivo dell’hotel Orient Express a Venezia riapre lo storico Palazzo Donà Giovannelli (riempiendolo di arte contemporanea)

Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, a 15th-century Venetian palace, has reopened as the flagship Orient Express hotel after an eight-year restoration led by architect and interior designer Aline Asmar d’Amman. Located in the Cannaregio district, the 5-star luxury hotel features 47 rooms, suites, and residences, blending historical frescoes and neogothic details with contemporary sculptures, Murano glass chandeliers, and custom furnishings. The property, owned by Arsenale Group since 2019, includes a transformed courtyard lobby, a secret garden, and a rotating selection of contemporary artworks displayed in a passage called Calle Meraviglia.

Here's what the much-talked-about Russian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale looks like. Photos and video

Ecco com’è il chiacchieratissimo Padiglione Russia della Biennale di Venezia. Foto e video

The Russian Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale has opened amid intense controversy over its unauthorized participation. The pavilion, housed in a 1914 building recently restored by Italian architects 2050+, features a program of musical improvisations, ensemble performances, techno concerts, and interactive actions, including free used clothing. The space is designed as a fragrant flower shop with a chill-out room featuring a conifer grove and video installations. The exhibition, titled "L’Albero Radicato nel Cielo" (The Tree Rooted in the Sky), is organized by young poets, musicians, and philosophers who prefer to remain anonymous as a collective, coordinated by the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music. However, due to sanctions, the pavilion is only open from May 5 to 8, as organizers cannot obtain the necessary permit to operate beyond the private opening.

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

I reperti romani appena restaurati di Ostia Antica vengono allestiti negli alberghi di Roma

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.

From Prison to Cultural Space: New Life for the Former Austrian Jails of Busto Arsizio

Da prigione a spazio per la cultura: nuova vita per le ex carceri austriache di Busto Arsizio

The city of Busto Arsizio has officially inaugurated the transformation of its mid-19th-century Austrian prison into a vibrant cultural hub. Following a €2.35 million restoration project largely funded by the EU’s PNRR (NextGenerationEU), the historic structure on Via Borroni now serves as an extension of the "G.B. Roggia" Civic Library. The facility features three levels of study rooms, multi-purpose exhibition spaces, and a literary café, all while preserving original architectural elements like cell doors and prisoner graffiti.