Interview with French cartoonist Hugo Didier who draws the Cannes Film Festival 79

Intervista al fumettista francese Hugo Didier che disegna il Festival di Cannes 79

French cartoonist and illustrator Hugo Didier (Paris, 1993) has been commissioned to reinterpret and narrate the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival (May 12–23) through his drawings, which have appeared on the festival's official Instagram account. In an interview, Didier discusses how cinema influences his visual imagination, his preference for traditional drawing techniques (nib pens, Rotring technical pen, ink washes, watercolor) over digital, and his creative process that often begins with spontaneous sketches. He also reflects on the role of comics in contemporary French culture, noting their ability to explore diverse themes and reach wide audiences through a playful yet accessible medium.

Chiamata aperta ad artisti e architetti under 35 a Roma. Obiettivo? Progettare un’opera in dialogo col Gazometro

A new open call for artists and architects under 35 has been launched in Rome, inviting proposals for a public artwork in dialogue with the iconic Gazometro (gasometer) in the Ostiense district. The initiative is promoted by Spazio Taverna in collaboration with Eni and ROAD – Rome Advanced District, and was announced on May 21 during the event "ON THE ROAD – Distretti di Innovazione." Participants are asked to design a monument, pavilion, or installation that engages with the former industrial complex, now a creative hub hosting the cultural program Arte al Gazometro since 2024. A jury including Marco Bassan, Ludovico Pratesi, Mattia Voltaggio, Claudio Quaternato, and Lorenza Baroncelli will select the winner, who will receive a €3,000 prize; the ten finalists will be published on Artribune and gain access to a Masterclass at the School of Vision. Submissions are open from May 21 to July 31, 2026, with results announced in September.

The Biennale and the Weight of Flags. What Is the Point of National Pavilions?

La Biennale e il peso delle bandiere. Che senso hanno i padiglioni nazionali?

The article examines the inherent contradiction within the Venice Biennale: its historical structure of national pavilions, a legacy of 19th-century world fairs and state-sponsored art, clashes with the transnational, post-identity vision of the international exhibition curated by Koyo Kouoh. The return of the Russia Pavilion amid geopolitical conflict and the international show titled "In Minor Keys," which rejects national belonging as an interpretive criterion, highlight this tension. The piece also addresses the controversy over the lack of Italian artists in the main exhibition, questioning whether a Biennale hosted in Italy should guarantee national representation.

Jury or Public? The Biennale Is Not an Algorithm, But Neither Is It a Liturgy

Giuria o pubblico? La Biennale non è un algoritmo, ma neppure una liturgia

The article critically examines the proposal for "Visitor Lions" (Leoni dei Visitatori) at the Venice Biennale, arguing that the idea is a fragile, quick-fix response to a deeper crisis. It questions whether replacing expert juries with public voting would truly improve the selection process, noting that both systems have significant flaws: juries are not necessarily neutral, often rushed and filtered, while public voting risks favoring accessible, easily consumable works and reinforcing existing hierarchies.

Where to eat and take a break in Venice during the 2026 Art Biennale?

Dove mangiare e prendersi una pausa a Venezia durante la Biennale Arte 2026?

The article provides a curated guide to dining and refreshment spots in Venice during the 61st edition of the Venice Biennale, which runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026. It lists several recommended venues—including ABC Zattere, Bea Vita, QuasiPronto, Adriatico Mar, Bancogiro, and Osteria Da Pampo—each described with details on location, atmosphere, and specialties, from cicchetti and tramezzini to natural wine and traditional Venetian dishes.

Svolta per il Museo del Fumetto che chiuse a Milano: nuova sede in un’ex biblioteca di Monza

The Franco Fossati Foundation's Museo del Fumetto (Comics Museum), which was evicted from Milan due to a €180,000 debt to the city, has found a new permanent home in Monza. The Monza city council approved the foundation's proposal on April 30, paving the way for the renovation of a former library in the Cederna district, which has been abandoned for years. The archive of 500,000 pieces will be temporarily stored in Desio while the Monza building is refurbished with €850,000 from the municipality and additional funds from the foundation.

Cultural Observatories: Dinosaurs or Subjects Capable of Interpreting the Present?

Osservatori culturali. Dinosauri o soggetti in grado di interpretare il presente?

The Cultural Observatory of Canton Ticino has published a study on cultural observatories worldwide, including a map and list of surveyed organizations. The analysis reveals that cultural observatories are not a global phenomenon but are concentrated mainly in Europe and South America, with occasional presence in North America (especially Canada and Hispanic-oriented organizations in the US). Africa, Asia, and Oceania are almost entirely absent from the map. The study also highlights a high rate of inactive observatories: among the top 10 countries by active observatories, only Germany shows an effective activity ratio. Spain has 26 active observatories out of about 45 total, while Italy has 11 active out of over 20 inactive. The research defines observatories as non-profit organizations that combine cultural and statistical expertise to deepen and transfer knowledge about the cultural sector, and classifies as inactive those with no recent activity on web or social channels.

“La preistoria non è stata solo violenza, ma anche cura”. Intervista all’archeologa femminista Marga Sánchez Romero

Marga Sánchez Romero, a professor of Prehistory at the University of Granada and a leading voice in feminist archaeology in Spain, argues in an interview that prehistory has been misrepresented as a sequence of violence and hierarchies. She emphasizes that new questions are reshaping our understanding of the past, highlighting that care, cooperation, and solidarity were as crucial as conflict in human evolution. The conversation covers biases in archaeological interpretation, the famous Viking tomb of Birka, the origins of inequality, and the role of museums in creating more inclusive narratives.

In Piazza Navona the École française de Rome opens a space for exhibitions (all will be free admission)

A Piazza Navona l’École française de Rome apre uno spazio per le mostre (saranno tutte ad accesso gratuito)

The École française de Rome, founded in 1875 and housed at Palazzo Farnese, has opened a permanent exhibition space at Piazza Navona 62 in Rome. A current exhibition running until April 30, 2026, traces the institute's 150-year history of historical, archaeological, and social science research, highlighting its Italian and Mediterranean focus and the collaborative spirit between France and Italy. The new gallery will host a regular program of free-admission exhibitions and events dedicated to cultural heritage, archaeology, and history, starting with the show "Isole e santi – Monasteri e santuari dell’Adriatico orientale, da san Girolamo a Gregorio VII" from May 27, 2026.

Colares studio opens its doors for one-day art show

Three artists—Maria José Meneses, Clara Rêgo, and Mary St. George—are opening their studio at Casa do Celeiro in Colares, Sintra, for a one-day "Open Studio" event on Saturday, May 30, from 12pm to 6pm. The event offers the public a rare behind-the-scenes look at a working art studio, featuring contemporary paintings, mixed media, sculptural ceramics, and artists' books in a 17th-century building that was once a barn and stable.

Annual {Ink}arcerated art exhibition returns to Arizona Center May 15

The {Ink}arcerated: Creativity Within Confinement art exhibition returns to the Arizona Center on May 15, featuring 365 new paintings, drawings, and sculptures created by incarcerated individuals. Managed by doctoral students Alexis Klemm and Madeline Boersma from ASU's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, the program involves distributing art supplies to 17 correctional facilities across Arizona, including a youth facility for the first time, and curating the completed works into a polished exhibition with museum lighting and display walls.

dk Gallery to debut new floral art exhibit Friday

Marietta's dk Gallery will debut a new floral-themed exhibit titled "This Is Us: Bloom" on Friday, April 30, 2026. The opening reception runs from 6 to 8 p.m., featuring floral-inspired contemporary fine art from over a dozen artists. Members of the Marietta Educational Garden Center will create corresponding floral arrangements, which will be auctioned to raise funds for the center. The exhibit will be on display through May 20.

Quincy Art Center celebrates grand opening of Gallery on 6th

Quincy Art Center is celebrating the grand opening of its new downtown space, Quincy Art Gallery on 6th, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 127 N. Sixth St. The debut exhibit features works by five regional artists, who will give talks about their work and process throughout the day. Activities include a pottery wheel throwing demonstration, and neighboring businesses are offering specials such as themed cocktails, lattes, and desserts to mark the occasion.

Art exhibit brings mental health into focus

A touring exhibition featuring work by well-established and up-and-coming Saskatchewan artists has opened at a church-turned-art gallery in St. Walburg, Saskatchewan, just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month. The show focuses on mental health themes and brings together diverse artistic voices in a small town 60 kilometres east of the Alberta border.

May - June Exhibits @ Art Works!

Art Works in Richmond, Virginia, is presenting six new exhibits from May through June 2026, featuring artists Heidi Peelen, Geneva Dinh, Anna Demovidova, RVA Clay Founding Members, and Meagan Samuel. Highlights include the May All Media Show, a juried exhibition of regional artists, and a collaborative Bridge Project with Richmond Public Schools, the Children’s Museum of Richmond, and Richard Harding. The venue also offers over 80 working artist studios, free admission, and free parking, with exhibits running through various dates in June and July.

Landscape, colour and imagination celebrated at Armstrong art gallery

The Armstrong Spallumcheen Museum & Art Gallery in British Columbia is opening a dual exhibition on May 28, 2026, featuring the Shuswap Plein Air Troupe and artist Nancy Vince. The Main Gallery presents "Together: From There to Here," a group show by Diane Akey, Maureen Howard, and Patricia L. Smith, who paint together as the Plein Air Troupe, capturing landscapes with varied textures and emotional depth. In the Freeze Gallery, "A Touch of Whimsy" showcases Vince's high-definition metal prints filled with vibrant, playful imagery of flowers, cottages, and lakeside scenes. The exhibition runs through June 27, with a reception on opening night.

Open exhibition returns to celebrate artists across the region

The Hastings Open, a flagship exhibition founded in 2020, will return in 2026 at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery, showcasing emerging and established artists from the South East region. The open call closes on July 19, 2025, and the winner will receive a solo exhibition at the museum in 2028/29. The exhibition features work in painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, video, and other media, with partnerships including The blackShed Gallery.

Merritt Wins Best Of Show At Spring Juried Art Show

Wesley Dallas Merritt won Best of Show at the Lakeland Art Association's 22nd annual Spring Juried Art Show, held at the Lakeland Art Gallery in Warsaw, Indiana. The show featured 53 works by 19 artists from Fort Wayne, North Manchester, and surrounding counties, including paintings, photographs, metal sculptures, and ceramic works. Judge Andrew Tomasik, a Warsaw Community High School visual arts teacher, also awarded first place to Brenda Stichter, second place to Merritt, and third place to Sherri Johnson, along with six honorable mentions.

Athens artist Manda McKay explores 'Feral Feminism'

Athens-based artist Manda McKay presents her latest exhibition, 'Feral Feminism,' opening May 15 at Tiny ATH Gallery. The show invites viewers to explore raw, untamed themes through McKay's work as a visual storyteller and author.

Mugs of May art show brewing in Vernon

Vernon's Community Arts Centre (VCAC) is hosting its sixth annual Mugs of May: Art Show and Sale through May 26. The exhibition features hundreds of handmade ceramic mugs by artists from across the Okanagan, ranging from emerging to established ceramicists, alongside wall and fine art inspired by coffee and daily rituals. Visitors can also participate in a coloring contest for a chance to win a gift card.

Art exhibition at Power Plant Gallery

The Power Plant Gallery in Toronto is hosting an art exhibition, as reported in a brief video segment. The coverage focuses on the exhibition's opening or ongoing presentation at the contemporary art venue.

42nd Illinois Watercolor Society National Exhibition

The 42nd Illinois Watercolor Society National Exhibition will take place from April 29 through May 30, 2026, at The Next Picture Show in Dixon, Illinois. This annual juried showcase features watercolor, acrylic, and gouache works by artists from across the United States, celebrating a wide range of techniques and perspectives in water-based media.

Terry Curtain Named ZAAP Gallery Artist of the Month - WHIZ - Fox 5 / Marquee Broadcasting

Terry Curtin has been named the Artist of the Month for May at the ZAAP Gallery in Zanesville, Ohio. His exhibition, featuring charcoal, digital, and painted works, will debut during the First Friday Artwalk, with the gallery open from 5 to 8 PM. Curtin describes his style as ranging from realistic to abstract, and notes that the digital pieces are his newest works.

TINY ART show is back at ArtWorks Gallery

ArtWorks Gallery in Chocorua, New Hampshire, is presenting TINY ART again this May, featuring works created by students from K.A. Brett School. The opening reception will be held on Friday from 5-7 p.m. at the gallery, located at 132 White Mountain Highway (Route 16), with refreshments, games, and giveaways. Attendees can meet the young artists and view their interpretations alongside works by gallery artist members.

Seafront gallery hosts major exhibition of local artists

The Fishing Quarter Gallery on Brighton seafront hosted the Bright On Open Call Exhibition, featuring works by 65 local artists. Curated by seascape painter Emma Christopherson, the exhibition presented a visual tour of Brighton from the sea through the city to the South Downs, including seascapes, portraits, and landscapes. Most works were available for purchase, and visitors could meet the artists. This is the second year Christopherson has organized the event, with plans to continue next year.

New gallery highlighting artists from South Asian diaspora opens in Leamington

Runjeet Singh Gallery, a new commercial gallery focusing on artists from the South Asian diaspora, has opened in Leamington at 37 Chandos Street. The gallery launched with an opening exhibition from April 24 to 26, featuring work by 11 emerging and established contemporary artists. Founder Runjeet Singh, who has 26 years of experience in antiques and contemporary art collecting, aims to provide a platform for UK-based South Asian diasporic artists and those whose practices are informed by South Asian narratives and traditions.

Hannah Powell: Pushing the University Art Gallery forward

Hannah Powell, a University of Pittsburgh alumna, has been appointed as the first official coordinator of the University Art Gallery (UAG) at Pitt. After earning a degree in anthropology and a minor in museum studies from Pitt in 2016, she pursued a master's in museum studies from the University of Glasgow, then worked at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and later at Pittsburgh institutions like the Heinz History Center and Carnegie Science Center. Since starting her role at the UAG in 2024, Powell coordinates exhibitions, plans educational programming, and improves accessibility to a collection of over 3,000 pieces, working alongside one other full-time employee.

Call for Applications: Reiwa 8 (2026) Overseas Training Program for Emerging Artists – Japanese Culture Promotion and Dissemination Project

公募｜令和8年度新進芸術家海外研修制度における「日本文化発信・普及事業」

Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunka-cho) is now accepting applications for the "Japanese Culture Promotion and Dissemination Project" under the 2026 (Reiwa 8) Overseas Training Program for Emerging Artists. This separate track supports established cultural figures, artists, and researchers—not just emerging artists—to conduct activities that promote and disseminate Japanese culture abroad. The program covers travel, accommodation, and activity costs up to 1.5 million yen, with派遣 periods ranging from 20 to 80 days between October 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027. Applications must be received by June 5, 2025, and results will be announced by early September.

Daura Museum of Art exhibits work of local artists this summer

The Daura Museum of Art at the University of Lynchburg is exhibiting works by local artists Laura Reed Howell and the late Georgia Weston Morgan through July 17. Morgan, a pioneering female painter from Lynchburg who studied in Paris and had her portrait accepted into the Paris Salon, is honored in Gallery I with a curated exhibition by museum assistant Thomas Canard. Howell’s award-winning plein air paintings are displayed in Gallery II, and she will give an artist talk on May 22.

Fine 383/CS 383 Computational Digital Art Studio exhibition

The Fine 383/CS 383 Computational Digital Art Studio, a cross-listed course between the Fine Arts Department and the Cheriton School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo, held an exhibition showcasing final projects by students Yujin Bae, Laith Bahodi, Niko Forsyth, Aastha Parmar, Vedaant Varshney, Jeannie Zhang, and Wilbur Zhang. The exhibition took place on April 2 in East Campus Hall, featuring original artworks created through the integration of artistic practice with computer science principles such as generative agents, advanced computer vision, and distributed computing.