Wexford artist selected to feature artwork at prestigious exhibition – ‘I wasn’t expecting it to get through’

Wexford artist Kate Kos has been selected to exhibit her painting 'Gunnera & Hemlock' at the 196th Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) exhibition in Dublin, which runs from May 25 to August 9, 2025. The mixed media piece, created during the Doneraile ArtFest in North Cork, won first prize and the People's Choice award at that festival. Kos also recently relocated her studio and gallery from St. Michael's Road to McDermott Street in Gorey, celebrating both milestones with an opening event attended by locals.

Victoria artist organizes exhibition to benefit lesser-known charities

Victoria artist Tanya Bub is organizing a benefit exhibition titled "Wild Art for the Big of Heart" at the Victoria Gage Gallery from May 12 to 31, 2026. The show features 10 sculptures or installations, each representing a different local charity focused on people in need, animals, and the environment. Buyers can choose which charity receives 25% of the purchase price. Bub, who has been making art in Victoria since 2019, aims to highlight lesser-known organizations like Soap for Hope, and participating charities will host public events such as film screenings and talks.

Holyoke artists turn canal history into 'Waterpower' exhibit at City Hall

Two Holyoke artists, Natasha Colón Ortiz and Lora McNeece Barrett, have created a new exhibition titled 'Waterpower' at City Hall, featuring paintings inspired by the city's historic three-level canal system. The show, which includes original works by both artists, will open with a reception on May 1, 2025. Colón Ortiz and Barrett, who once shared a teacher-student relationship, now collaborate as colleagues after being recommended by residents in response to Mayor Joshua A. Garcia's call for ideas to revitalize the mayor's office space.

Leslie Powell Gallery to open multiple art exhibitions in May

The Leslie Powell Gallery in Lawton, Oklahoma, will open two art exhibitions in May 2026. "Beauteous Maximus" features paintings by New Zealand-born Polynesian artist Tania Landers, whose work explores memory, identity, and generational storytelling through vibrant colors and collage. "Between the Front Door and the Kitchen Sink" showcases artwork by Texas artist Abigail Rainey, focusing on themes of home, inheritance, and the sacred within the mundane. Both exhibitions open with a reception on May 16 and run through June 26.

Penn State Altoona to exhibit artwork by visual arts senior Makenzie Kunkle

Penn State Altoona will present "Unmuting the Noise," an exhibition of work by visual arts senior Makenzie Kunkle, from April 30 to May 7 in the Sheetz Gallery. A public reception will be held on April 30 in the Titelman Study.

Open air art exhibition held in village of China's Zhejiang

An open-air art exhibition featuring photography and oil paintings was unveiled on May 16, 2026, in Zhijiang Village, Xiaya Town, Jiande City, Zhejiang Province, China. The exhibition breaks from traditional gallery settings by displaying 90 works in fields, forests, and village paths, with most of the artists being local villagers. The artworks highlight rural customs and landscapes of the region.

20th edition of Hammer Days

20e édition des Journées Marteau

The 20th edition of the Journées Marteau (Hammer Days) will take place from May 26 to 31, 2026, across Paris and France. Organized by the Symev, the event invites the public to discover how auctions work and to have objects, jewelry, and artworks appraised. For this anniversary edition, auctioneers are highlighting the color red through a curated selection of lots, while workshops, conferences, and meetings will illuminate the mechanisms of the art market.

A Roma si celebra il fotografo riminese Marco Pesaresi a 25 anni dalla morte: docu-film e mostra

Rome is celebrating the work of Rimini-born photographer Marco Pesaresi (1964–2001), 25 years after his death, through two events organized by the photography training center Daylight School, led by Marco Sconocchia. A documentary film titled "Il granchio nudo – La storia di Marco Pesaresi," produced by Riccardo Caccia and Michela Fragomeni and directed by Marta E. Antonioli and Elena Padovan, will be screened on May 21 at Nuovo Cinema Aquila. The film features unpublished materials, including Pesaresi's diaries and poems, and includes interviews with those who knew him. A group exhibition, "UNDERGROUND. Il mondo sotto. Omaggio a Marco Pesaresi," opens May 29 at Daylight School, reinterpreting the themes of his photobook "Underground" through the eyes of 15 photographers.

Ormond Memorial Art Museum hosts 'Tradewinds' Seabreeze art show

Ormond Memorial Art Museum is hosting the 2026 'Tradewinds' art show, featuring 138 artworks by Seabreeze High School students. The juried exhibition includes 2D and 3D pieces created in media such as acrylic, ceramic, clay, colored pencil, and glass, with awards distributed at a May 7 reception. The show runs through May 24 and was judged by museum guest curator Ruth Grim.

Franco Mazzucchelli, Champ Lacombe / Biarritz  by Gea Politi

Franco Mazzucchelli's exhibition at Champ Lacombe in Biarritz presents a medley of his public interventions from the 1970s, including inflatable sculptures like "Cono Rosso" (1973/2021), "Bieca Decorazione," and "Catena N.5 anelli." The show documents his practice of placing inflatables in public spaces without viewers knowing they were artworks, capturing reactions of curiosity, rage, and self-expression. The gallery space transforms these once-anti-monumental works into precarious monuments, now controlled within the art world's agenda.

‘Borderless’ art exhibit celebrates Asian and Pacific Islander heritage in Brentwood

The Brentwood Arts Exchange is hosting 'Borderless,' a mixed-media art exhibit celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, running through May 30. Curated by ceramics artist and art teacher Akemi Maegawa, the show features works from artists including Mei Mei Chang, Julia Chon, Jeff Huntington (JAHRU), Jun Lee, and Tang, representing Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines. The exhibit includes oil portraits, 3D masks, found-object installations, sculptures, and woodblock prints exploring themes of identity, migration, and cultural fluidity. On May 9, the artists participated in a talk as part of the Gateway Open Studios Tour, a one-day annual art event spanning multiple Maryland communities.

Leonhard Center and Bellefonte Art Museum seek submissions for art exhibition

The Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education at Penn State is partnering with the Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County (BAM) to organize an exhibition titled “Making Connections: Art, Engineering and Community.” Students, faculty, and staff are invited to submit original works exploring the intersection of art and engineering. Submissions from the College of Engineering will also be entered into the second annual Leonhard Center Art–Engineering Competition. The exhibition will be curated by Sarah Zappe, Joseph Cusumano, and Benjamin Fehl, who previously curated a related show at the Palmer Museum of Art. Applications are open through October 15, 2026, with the exhibition running from January 1 to February 28, 2027.

Oshawa seeking artists for temporary exhibition at Convergence Music and Art Festival

The city of Oshawa has opened a call for artists to submit artworks for a temporary exhibition at the Convergence Music and Art Festival, taking place September 19–20 at Veterans Square. Up to five artists will be selected to have a reproduction of their work displayed, with submissions due by June 12. The exhibition celebrates the installation of Oshawa’s first independent sculpture commission, Kaleidoscope by Nicholas Crombach, under the theme “We Gather, We Remember, We Belong.”

Old Forge Library calls for artists for “Local ART” exhibit

The Old Forge Library in Old Forge, New York, is calling for artists to participate in "Local ART," a community-wide open exhibition celebrating two-dimensional artwork. The exhibit runs from July 2 through August 1, with an opening reception on July 2. Open to all ages and skill levels, submissions in media such as photography, painting, watercolor, pastel, mixed media, collage, printmaking, quilting, and drawing are welcome with no entry fee. The submission deadline is June 23, and artists may donate a portion of sales to support library programming.

Exhibition Recognises Local Artists 19/05/2026

The City of Whittlesea's Belong: 2026 Art Exhibition has opened at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre (PRACC) in South Morang, Australia. Now in its 17th year, the exhibition has reached a record size with 176 artists submitting 245 artworks across diverse media including painting, photography, sculpture, pottery, mosaics, and glasswork. Award winners were announced on May 6, with Rosemary Lugg winning the Mayor's Award for her work 'Fragments,' and other prizes recognizing use of materials, originality, and youth participation. The exhibition runs until May 27 and includes artist talks, workshops, and a People's Choice Award.

Plattsburgh art exhibition spotlights intersection of art and mental health

An ongoing exhibition in downtown Plattsburgh, titled “Holding Space: A Community Exhibition on Art and Mental Health,” is on display at the Strand Center for the Arts through May 30 for Mental Health Awareness Month. The show, a collaboration between the Strand and Behavioral Health Services North (BHSN), features artwork from individuals in BHSN’s recovery programs, including pieces by Barb Guay, who runs a recovery program and creative expression therapy group at BHSN. Guay’s watercolor self-care plan, with panels like “Pink Power Suit Barbara” and “Fruit Bat Barbara,” explores her own recovery from opioid and cocaine use since 2015, as well as her chronic illness and artistic identity.

Midcoast Health Collective open house, art show during Rockland First Friday Art Walk

Midcoast Health Collective in Rockland, Maine, is hosting a free open house and art show on Friday, June 5, from 4 to 6 p.m., coinciding with the city's First Friday Art Walk. The event at 558 Main Street will feature a tour of the wellness space, light refreshments, and an exhibition of abstract mixed-media and oil paintings by practitioner and artist Erika Manning, whose work explores the spaces between landscape and consciousness. Manning's artwork will be available for viewing and purchase, and visitors can meet the collective's practitioners, including a naturopathic doctor, a holistic dentist, and massage therapists.

‘Light from the Inner Soul’ exhibition celebrates women’s unheard artistic voices in Cumilla

A three-day art exhibition titled “Light from the Inner Soul” is being held at Cumilla Shilpakala Auditorium in Bangladesh, showcasing paintings and handcrafted works by eight women with no formal art training. Organized by Jannatul Ferdous Twonni, the exhibition features a range of media including calligraphy, metal art, wax art, glass painting, canvas works, and AI-inspired pieces, with participants ranging from a 16-year-old to a 90-year-old woman.

Opening reception planned for art exhibit

River Arts on Water Gallery in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, will host a summer exhibition titled "The In Between" featuring three artists: Jessica Gutiérrez (whose work is displayed in the Powder Room Gallery), Rhonda Nass (scratchboard), and Sharon Wright (embroidery). An opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with artist talks at 6 p.m. The exhibition runs through August 1, and a 10% discount will be offered on all artwork during the reception. The show will also be available for online viewing.

Bloomsburg Children’s Museum exhibits works by two Danville artists

The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum in Pennsylvania is hosting an exhibition titled “Graphic Art by Glen Klein and Raku Pottery by Jeff Krankoskie,” featuring works by two artists from Danville. Glen Klein, a graphic artist and former butcher’s son, creates surreal digital prints and photographs, while Jeff Krankoskie specializes in wood-fired raku pottery, a dramatic technique involving red-hot pots plunged into organic materials. The exhibit runs through October and is included with regular museum admission.

Adirondack Paddlefest, art exhibits and other regional events

The article announces a series of regional events in the Adirondacks, including the Adirondack Paddlefest, the Gloversville Downtown Art Walk, a writing workshop with bestselling author Kate Fagan, an artist reception for Robert Coppen's exhibit "Upstate New York in Paintings" at the Old Forge Library, a touring production of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht's "Happy End" presented by Seagle Festival and partners, and the Ausable River Two-Fly Challenge fishing tournament. These events span mid-May 2025 and are open to the public.

Whittemore Library to Feature 'Mandalas and More' Student Art Exhibit

The Howard Whittemore Memorial Library in Naugatuck, Connecticut, will host a new exhibition titled 'Mandalas and More' throughout May 2026, featuring artwork created by students of local artist and retired public school art teacher Rose-Ann Chrzanowski. The pieces were produced in Chrzanowski's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) course, which uses mandala-making and mixed-media techniques to encourage personal reflection and relaxation. The exhibit includes works using jewelry, torn handmade paper, feathers, paint, and sand, and will be displayed on the Whittemore Gallery Wall and in the library display case through June 1.

Tampa art scene staples open new ‘General Admission’ gallery on Thursday

A new gallery and working studio called General Admission is opening on E 6th Avenue in Ybor City, Tampa, with a debut group exhibition titled “F.R.I.E.N.D.S” on Thursday, May 14. The show features over two dozen artists including Jay Giroux, Bask, Tes One, Ryan Lagasse, George Goldberg, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay cartoonist Cory Robinson, and Claire Casper. The venue is founded by artists Jay Giroux and Keith Burnson, and Rarefolks, a company tied to the parcel owners, will also have work on display.

Summit County seeks artists to design public art benches for Silver Summit building

Summit County's Public Art Advisory Board has issued a call for artists to design and fabricate seven artistic benches for the exterior of the Silver Summit Services Building in Park City, Utah. The project includes two 8-foot and five 5-foot benches that must reflect themes of unity, community, justice, service, and law and order, while being durable enough to withstand deep snowfall, high winds, and temperature extremes. Proposals are due by May 22, with a pre-proposal meeting on May 15, and installation is planned for summer to fall 2026.

The Children's Gallery exhibitions ­feature schoolchildren's park designs and art by babies [City of Tampere]

The Children's Gallery in Tampere, Finland, is presenting two exhibitions this spring. At the Culture House Laikku, schoolchildren from Wivi Lönn School (grades 1, 2, 5, and 7) display imaginative park designs through June 14. Simultaneously, the Lielahti Manor Cultural Centre features babies' art created during Rulla's Colour Immersion course, on view from May 7 to June 2, 2026. Both exhibitions are free and open to the public.

The Smithsonian National Museum of African Art Opens First & Largest Exhibition of LGBTQ+ African Art

The Smithsonian National Museum of African Art has opened "Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art," the largest exhibition of LGBTQ+ African art to date, featuring nearly 60 artworks by 30 queer artists from across Africa and its diasporas. Curated by Kevin D. Dumouchelle and Serubiri Moses, the exhibition was originally scheduled to coincide with WorldPride DC 2025 but was delayed to early winter 2026, shortly after President Donald Trump issued an executive order targeting the Smithsonian for material deemed "divisive ideology," including discussions of gender identity. Museum officials attributed the postponement to budget and fundraising challenges rather than political pressure.

Jolkonya’s Mother’s Day special exhibition opens in Dhaka

Jolkonya, a women's art organization, has opened a six-day group exhibition titled "Every Woman is a Mother" at Safiuddin Shilpalay in Dhaka to celebrate Mother's Day. The show features 35 artworks by 12 artists using watercolor, acrylic, and coffee-based mediums, and was inaugurated by painter-sculptor Ivy Zaman and singer Mehreen. The City Bank PLC is the title sponsor, and artist Ashok Karmaker curated the exhibition.

Johns Creek art exhibit finds inspiration in trash

The Arts Center at Johns Creek, Georgia, is hosting 'Upcycled: Reclaimed and Reimagined,' an exhibition running through May 16 that features artworks made from discarded objects. Curator Althea Foster organized the show to coincide with Earth Day, highlighting pieces such as Tracy Douchy's bulldog sculpture 'Watchdog' (made from old wrist watches) and Mary Jablonski's 'Grizzly Watching' (constructed from repurposed paper). The exhibit has drawn double the usual foot traffic from local residents.

Booming exhibition is becoming ‘prominent’ event for town

Spalding artist Joey Lowe organized the fourth edition of a local art exhibition at The Sessions House, attracting over 1,000 visitors and gallery owners from Norfolk and Gainsborough. The event featured 50 artists, including local MP Sir John Hayes, and introduced a new 'mini youth exhibition' with artwork from five area schools.

Photo gallery: LCCC 2026 Communication Arts Student exhibition opens

The Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) 2026 Communication Arts Student Art Exhibition opened May 8 at the Schulman Gallery. The annual show features original artwork by students enrolled in LCCC's Communication Arts Program, spanning a variety of media and creative approaches. The exhibition runs through June 5, with gallery hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A photo shows attendee Jennifer Cerene browsing the display.