SMC Emeritus Annual Student Art Exhibition 2026 – Part 1, Opening Celebration in Emeritus Gallery May 14

The Santa Monica College (SMC) Emeritus Art Gallery will present the SMC Emeritus Annual Student Art Exhibition 2026 – Part 1, running from May 14 to June 19. The exhibition features works by 47 student artists from SMC's noncredit Emeritus program for older adults, with a free opening reception on May 14 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Due to high participation, the show is split into two parts, with Part 2 opening online on June 11.

İrem Günaydın at thepill

İrem Günaydın is presenting a solo exhibition at thepill gallery in Istanbul, running from March 7 to May 23, 2026. The show features 46 images documenting the exhibition, with press releases available in both English and Turkish.

The papal residence of Castel Gandolfo had been opened to museum visits by Pope Francis, now Pope Leo closes it again

La residenza papale di Castel Gandolfo era stata aperta a visite museali da Papa Francesco, ora Papa Leone la chiude di nuovo

Pope Leo XIV is closing the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo to the public as of July 2026, ending nearly a decade of museum access initiated by Pope Francis. Online ticket sales stop on June 30, and the palace will revert to its original function as the pope's summer residence. The decision follows preparatory works begun in May 2025 and is partly motivated by security concerns, as the current temporary lodging at Villa Barberini has logistical and access-control issues.

Young Cham artist revives fading Muslim traditions through first solo exhibition

Young Cham artist Kaeu Sreypeou has opened her first solo exhibition, titled "Remembering," at SNA Arts Management in Phnom Penh, running from May 21 to August 8. The show features 18 acrylic paintings that depict traditional Cham Muslim ceremonies, such as the Mawlid Festival and the Tolak bala cleansing ritual, which are now practiced by only a few communities in Cambodia. Sreypeou, a 2023 graduate of the Royal University of Fine Arts, draws on her own memories and participation in these rituals to document and preserve Cham cultural identity.

South Coast Artists exhibition brings 112 works to Gallery X

The 2026 Members’ Invitational Exhibition organized by South Coast Artists Inc. is now on view at Gallery X in New Bedford, Massachusetts, through May 16. The show features 112 works by 61 artists selected from nearly 200 active members, spanning media such as photography, fiber, encaustic, porcelain, cyanotype, pastel, acrylic, oil, watercolor, mixed media, printmaking, digital art on metal, and found-object assemblages. Awards were presented at the opening reception on April 25, with first place going to Dot Bergen, second to Serena Parente Charlebois, and third to Robert Abele; juror’s choice awards were given to Diana Azevedo-Carns, Lindsey Epstein, and Heather Stivison, selected by independent juror Catherine Carter.

Doosan Yonkang Foundation Backs Venice Korean Pavilion

The Doosan Yonkang Foundation has announced its sponsorship of the Korean Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale, which will take place from May 9 to November 22, 2026, at Giardini Park in Venice, Italy. The Korean Pavilion, titled "Liberation Space: Fortress and Nest," explores political events and historical transitions in Korean society from 1945 to the present, under the artistic direction of Choi Bitna. Participating artists include Noh Hyeri and Choi Goeun, along with fellows such as novelist Han Kang, farmer and activist Kim Huju, writer and singer Lee Lang, photographer Hwang Yeji, and artist Christian Nyampeta. Notably, Noh Hyeri and Choi Bitna are alumni of the foundation's support programs, Doosan Art Lab and Doosan Curator Workshop, respectively.

Guild Hall Presents Exhibition Walkthrough & Artist Talk With Artist Claire Watson

Guild Hall in East Hampton will host an exhibition walkthrough and artist talk with artist Claire Watson on Thursday, May 21, from 7:30 to 8:30 PM. The event accompanies her exhibition “Claire Watson: Re-Paired,” which runs through July 19 and features sculptures and mixed-media assemblages made from salvaged leather garments, deconstructed and reconfigured using traditional sewing and pattern-making techniques. The exhibition includes over fifteen works spanning from 2012 to the present, and the talk will be led by Melanie Crader, museum director and curator of visual arts at Guild Hall.

New art gallery, shop opens in downtown Belleville on Art on the Square weekend

A new art gallery and retail shop, Public Defender Art + Zines, will open in downtown Belleville on May 15, 2026, coinciding with the Art on the Square festival. Owned by local artists Danny Houk and Stacie Spaunhorst, the space at 123 W. Main St. will feature exhibitions, a retail shop selling indie comics and zines, and future plans for artist residencies and networking brunches. Opening exhibitions include ceramics by Alisha Porter and Sheri White.

Long-Lost 17th-Century Altarpiece Paintings Recovered After Nearly 100 Years

Spanish police have recovered two long-lost 17th-century altarpiece paintings by Baroque painter Lucas Valdés, which disappeared after being shown at the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition of Seville. The works, depicting Old Testament scenes, were identified in an auction house catalog in September 2025, authenticated by the Spanish Historical Heritage Brigade, and returned to the Hospital of the Venerable Priests in Seville on May 20, 2026, after a mediation process with the consignors.

‘Was she going to an appointment, maybe even a romantic one?’: ASA’s best phone picture

ASA, an anonymous photographer, captured a candid iPhone X image in Bastia, Corsica, during the summer of 2018. The photograph shows a woman walking through strong sunlight, reduced to a silhouette against burned facades. ASA waited patiently for the right passerby, later imagining the woman might be heading to a romantic appointment, though they emphasize the work is about shape, movement, and contrast rather than identity.

US exhibition unearths the Etruscans and their enduring cultural influence

The Legion of Honor in San Francisco will present "The Etruscans: From the Heart of Ancient Italy" from 2 May to 20 September, featuring nearly 200 objects including jewellery, sculptures, and vessels from the ancient Etruscan civilisation. The exhibition highlights recent archaeological discoveries, such as the Liber Linteus Zagrabiensis—the longest surviving Etruscan text—and grave objects from the Regolini-Galassi Tomb, many making their US debut. Curator Renée Dreyfus aims to correct negative portrayals of the Etruscans by Greeks and Romans and showcase their cultural achievements.

UK’s Brighton & Hove Museums to return 45 artefacts to Botswana

Brighton & Hove Museums in southern England will return 45 artefacts to Botswana. The objects, including clothing, accessories and hunting implements, were acquired by English reverend William Charles Willoughby in the 1890s and will be housed at the Khama III Memorial Museum in Serowe, where they will form part of a permanent exhibition opening on 27 May. A team from Brighton & Hove Museums is working with Botswanan curators on the return, which is scheduled for April.

Incheon's Crocat House hosts group exhibition featuring 6 Korean, global artists

Crocat House, a new cultural and arts complex in Incheon, South Korea, is hosting a group exhibition titled "Felt Seams — What the Tide Erases, the Body Holds," featuring six Korean and international artists. The show, curated by Korean artist Sung A Jang, explores themes of identity, memory, and the spaces between body and world, with works ranging from figurative sculptures to paintings. The exhibition opened on May 16, 2026, and includes artists such as John Shrader, who presented new sculptural pieces alongside earlier works.

How Artists Shaped West London Exhibition

The Acton Open 2026, a community art exhibition in West London, brought together fifteen artists from diverse backgrounds to explore themes of life, place, and identity. Organized by ARTification and held at W3 Gallery from March 26 to May 12, the free exhibition featured works in painting, photography, drawing, printmaking, and ceramics, with artists including Ife Olowu, Obiora Nwankwo, Pippa Brill, and others.

Artscape's Scout Art Fair spotlights Baltimore artists, galleries, affordable works

The Scout Art Fair returns for its second edition as part of Artscape in Baltimore, featuring 33 local artists and seven galleries. Curated by photographer Devin Allen, whose work has appeared on TIME magazine covers, the fair offers affordable art and includes photography, painting, and sculpture. The event runs Friday through Sunday, with the city acting as the gallerist, and artists do not pay to participate.

Jane Goodall-inspired art exhibit open through June 11 at Carroll County Arts Center

The Carroll County Arts Center in Carrollton, Ohio, is hosting a conservation-themed art exhibit titled "What Would Jane Do?" from May 17 through June 11. The show features works by regional artists inspired by the life and environmental legacy of famed primatologist Jane Goodall, including paintings, quilts, sculptures, and a live woodburning portrait by Akron artist Joe Ott. Organizer Cheri Bell, an artist and co-president of the Arts Center Board of Trustees, conceived the exhibit after Goodall's death as a way to celebrate wildlife and environmental awareness.

Local art exhibition brings mental health into focus through collaboration

A new art exhibition called "TWOgether" has opened at Spare Room Gallery in Barrie, Ontario, running for a month during Mental Health Awareness Month. Curated by Sean William Dawson and Katie Green, the show pairs 12 emerging artists with 10 established artists from Simcoe County to create collaborative works exploring mental health. The project includes a limited-edition art catalogue of 200 signed copies, with 100% of sales proceeds going to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). A public reception and catalogue launch is scheduled for May 22, and the exhibition also features a panel discussion series titled Start Making Sense.

Griffin Museum of Photography brings summer exhibits to Winchester

The Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester is presenting a series of summer exhibitions running from late May through July 2026. Featured shows include "Photosynthesis XXI," a collaboration between Burlington and Winchester high schools; "Atelier 40," showcasing emerging and advanced photographers from a year-long portfolio course; "Caleb Cain Marcus: A Thousand Rectangles: On Design and the Expression of Art"; "Cassidy Thurber: I Want the Sun to Shine Down on You," the winner of the 2025 Carolyn Harder Scholarship; the 16th Annual Photobook Exhibition; a Handmade Photobook show; and "Visionary." A satellite location at Griffin Museum @WinCam will host Ellen Feldman's "WE PROTEST" from June 16 to September 1.

Lélia Demoisy at Domaine de Chamarande: an exhibition exploring forest narratives — our photos

French artist Lélia Demoisy presents a solo exhibition titled 'Récits de forêts' at the Domaine départemental de Chamarande in Essonne, running from May 10 to August 30, 2026. The show features sculptures, installations, and landscape interventions across the estate's orangery, park, and grounds, exploring the memory of forests, natural materials, and the interactions between species. Works such as 'Laissés sur la rive,' 'Le Foyer,' and 'Cedrus deodara – Forêts futures' use wood, fibers, charcoal, and animal tracks to probe themes of repair, regeneration, and the boundary between life and endurance.

'Celebrate Arts & Aging': Philadelphia Corporation for Aging hosting 24th annual senior art show

The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) is hosting its 24th annual senior art show, 'Celebrate Arts & Aging,' across three locations: the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center, the South Philadelphia Older Adult Center, and Center on the Hill in Germantown. The exhibition features 140 artists aged 55 to 101, displaying works in various mediums including painting, photography, textiles, and pencil drawings. Notable pieces include Elizabeth Richburg-Durand's painting of Maya Angelou, Denise Ballinger's 'Peace on the Horizon,' and Russell Williams's 'Brilliant in Blue,' this year's signature artwork. The physical exhibits run through May, while a virtual show remains online for the year at PCACares.org.

Ekphrastic Poetry Re-imagines Hopeful Art

The Union of Maine Visual Artists (UMVA) is hosting an ekphrastic poetry performance on Saturday, May 23 at 4:00 pm at the Oak Street Lofts Gallery, as part of its "Celebrating Hope" exhibition. Poets Annaliese Jakimides, Gregg Harper, Lily Brown, and Maureen Thorson will respond to artworks inspired by Emily Dickinson's poem "Hope is a strange invention." The exhibition features 20 artists and runs on weekends through May 29.

Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley Expands THE DELUSION Beyond the Gallery with New Interactive Online Game

Serpentine has launched "I DIDNT REALISE YOU THOUGHT LIKE THAT," a new online game and critical thinking tool by artist and game designer Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley. Available from May 21, 2026, on web and mobile platforms, the project extends the world of Brathwaite-Shirley's acclaimed "THE DELUSION" and explores polarization, identity, and social connection beyond the gallery. Developed with nonprofit Beyond Code Collective and supported by Glass Castle Foundation, the game places players in a post-apocalyptic universe where they encounter fictional characters and make decisions that shape narratives and determine multiple endings, drawing on real-world materials from news cycles, social media, and community testimonies.

Auctions of the week: ancient art, design and antiques

A busy week of auctions is scheduled for May 21-27, 2026, spanning Milan, New York, and other global hubs. Italian auction houses including FarsettiArte, Wannenes, Gonnelli, Finarte, Capitolium AuctionHouse, Pananti, Aste Bolaffi, Il Ponte, Maison Bibelot, Babuino Fine Art Auctions, and Pandolfini will offer paintings, drawings, sculptures, antiques, design, jewelry, and vintage fashion. International houses Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Bonhams - Cornette de Saint-Cyr, and Dorotheum also hold sales in New York, Zurich, Paris, and Vienna, covering post-war and contemporary art, handbags, fine wine, and antiques.

Everyone's chasing their cat: the exhibition exploring the many facets of the feline at Fluctuart — our photos

A new free exhibition titled "Everyone's Searching for Their Cat" ("Chacun cherche son chat") has opened at Fluctuart, a floating urban art center in Paris, running from May 7 to August 23, 2026. The show features works by about ten street artists—including Madame, Kraken, Ardif, and Wenna—who explore the multifaceted nature of cats through installations, paintings, and interactive pieces. Highlights include Ardif's anamorphic cat installation, Kesadi's narrative works, and Veks Van Hillik's Schrödinger's cat-inspired piece.

Kode Bergen Art Museum : Vibeke Tandberg : They Live

Kode Bergen Art Museum in Norway will present "They Live," the most comprehensive exhibition of artist Vibeke Tandberg to date, running from May 22 to September 12, 2026. The show spans over three decades of Tandberg's practice, featuring well-known works alongside new pieces, and includes photography, film, video, sculpture, text works, and ephemera displayed throughout the museum's Stenersen building. A sculptural installation, *Hestebarrikaden* (2023), will be placed at the main entrance.

Art lovers pack the Sugar Wharf for Go Troppo opening night

The Go Troppo exhibition opened on May 18, 2026, at the historic Sugar Wharf in Port Douglas, Australia, kicking off the Carnivale 2026 festivities. Organized by Port Douglas Artists Inc., the show features contemporary art from across Far North Queensland, tied to this year's Carnivale theme, "Ancient Wonders." The free exhibition runs daily from May 19 to May 24, drawing locals and visitors to view regional talent.

Rosewood Arts Center 32nd Annual The View Juried Landscape Exhibition

Rosewood Arts Center in Kettering, Ohio, has announced the opening of its 32nd annual The View Juried Landscape Exhibition, running from June 8 through July 18, 2026. The exhibition features 48 works selected by juror Rebecca Foley from 308 submissions by 114 Ohio-based artists, with awards totaling $1,100. A free public reception and awards presentation will take place on July 18.

Proof of life — Curator’s Choice celebrates Nelson Mandela Bay’s creative pulse

The Curator’s Choice exhibition at Art on Target in Nelson Mandela Bay showcases 10 selected artists, ranging from emerging talents to established practitioners, including an octogenarian and recent graduates. The show, now in its third year, is an offshoot of the annual Same Size-Same Price-No Signature exhibition and was curated by Art on Target director Bretten-Anne Moolman. Artists were chosen by a diverse panel of over 20 local professionals, educators, and art lovers, and were given eight months to prepare new works for the exhibition, which opened on 13 May.

Morris Museum’s Common Ground: NJ Artists Think Monumental, an Ex

The Morris Museum in Morristown, New Jersey, presents "Common Ground: NJ Artists Think Monumental," the 42nd New Jersey Arts Annual. For the first time in the series' history, the exhibition moves outdoors, activating the museum's 8-acre campus with large-scale sculptures. Nine artists were selected from 530 submissions by a jury led by Johannah Hutchinson, Executive Director of the International Sculpture Center. The exhibition runs from May 28 to August 23, 2026, and includes works by Clifford Blanchard, Sunil Garg, Wendy Gordon, Robert Koch, Robert Lobe, Judith Peck, Jill Scipione, Lee Tal, and Josh Urso.

Metro Detroit artist set to bring mosaic art show to life

Mixed media artist Michelle Sider will showcase more than 50 colorful mosaic art pieces in her biggest solo exhibition, titled “Seeking Light,” opening Wednesday, May 20 at the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Stamelos Gallery Center. The show highlights her work in glass mosaics and mixed media, and was previewed on the WDIV program 'Live in the D.'