Southampton City Art Gallery is getting ready to reopen in March 2026

Southampton City Art Gallery will reopen on Saturday, March 7, 2026, following a successful refurbishment program. The reopening exhibition, 'Levitate Me: Desire, Ecstasy and The Sublime,' is a major solo show by acclaimed British artist Emma Richardson, featuring new oil paintings that explore desire, euphoria, and the natural world through a female lens. Richardson, who was born in Southampton and lived there for much of her life, has also selected works from the city's collection to display alongside her own. Other reopening displays include highlights from the internationally renowned collection (with public input on artwork selection), recently acquired works shown for the first time, rarely seen works on paper digitized during the closure, and photographs of the refurbishment by architectural photographer Joe Low. The project was supported by a £2.23 million grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND), administered by Arts Council England.

New Overland Park art gallery marks new chapter for local painter

Mark Freeman, a former sales professional who turned to painting in 2020, is opening his own gallery and studio called Studio 80 in downtown Overland Park, Kansas, on November 7. The space at 7139 W. 80th St. will display his abstract and figurative works with local themes, feature a monthly local artist, and operate as both a gallery and working studio. Freeman, who previously showed at the 80 Santa Fe Gallery, aims to control his artistic destiny and give back to the community through partnerships with nonprofits.

Open Studios event in Fish Hoek and Clovelly: A celebration of local art

The inaugural Open Studios Fish Hoek and Clovelly (OSFHC) launched on October 3, showcasing the artwork of 19 local artists across 15 studios in the South African coastal communities of Fish Hoek and Clovelly over the weekend. A large-scale art installation was placed in the front windows of the 97-year-old family-run department store AP Jones to promote the event. Participating artists include Susan Didcott, Marlise Keith, Sue Kaplan, Yda Walt, Mandy Johnston, and organizer Lauren Shantall, with works ranging from sculpture and paint pieces to textile art and live material burns.

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.

Exhibition open in Sark – Watercolours and Costumes

The Sark Art Gallery and Museum on the island of Sark opened its second exhibition on 18 June, featuring watercolour paintings by local artist Louise Hill and theatre costumes from Sark Theatre Group's 2017 production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, created by seamstress Sue Daly. The exhibition also includes Betty Guille's famous post box toppers, which remain on display throughout the summer. Hill's watercolours capture Sark's landscapes, caves, bays, and lanes, while Daly's costumes are richly embellished with embroidery, headdresses, and accessories.

Union Public Library & Arts Center hosts a grand opening

The Union Public Library & Arts Center in Union, New Jersey, held a grand opening celebration for its newly renovated three-level facility. The event featured an art gallery unveiling with works by acclaimed artist Winston Young, a Black Box Theater plaque unveiling with live performances, a parade from the interim library location, a ribbon cutting, and activities including LEGO workshops led by Corey and Travis Samuels, origami, caricature drawing, face painting, and a book sale. Library director Kassundra Miller expressed excitement about offering new amenities such as a sensory room, creativity lab, study rooms, podcast room, and musical instrument lending.

Crosscurrents Art Exhibition Open at Stifel Center; Winners Announced

The annual Crosscurrents art exhibition has opened at Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center in Wheeling, West Virginia, running through July 12. Now in its 46th year, the show features 92 works selected from over 250 submissions by artists across six states and Washington, D.C. Pittsburgh-based artist Michael Lotenero served as juror, awarding Best in Show to Asha Cabaca for “Unit,” with second and third prizes going to Jade-Lynn Lewis and Jesse Baggett, respectively.

Latter-day Saint artists ‘Lift Up the Hands Which Hang Down’ in new exhibit

The Church History Museum in Salt Lake City has unveiled 150 artworks selected for the 13th International Art Competition of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, themed "Lift Up the Hands Which Hang Down" after Doctrine and Covenants 81:5. The exhibition opened on April 24, 2025, featuring works by 584 artists from 26 countries, including pieces like "Deposition" by Sarah Hawkes and "The Parable of the Gardner: The Garden of the Lord" by Pamela Salinas Bernal. Curator Laura Paulsen Howe and BYU art history professor James Swensen, a juror, highlighted how artists visualized themes of succoring the weak and strengthening others through diverse media and personal testimony.

In China, the Margiela Show is Staged Inside a Series of Containers

In Cina la sfilata di Margiela è allestita dentro una serie di container

Maison Margiela has launched a major traveling exhibition in China titled "Artisanal: Our Creative Laboratory," debuting in Shanghai before moving to Chengdu. Designed by OMA/AMO, the open-air showcase features over forty couture creations from the Artisanal line dating back to 1989, uniquely displayed within weathered shipping containers. The project aims to demystify the fashion house's secretive creative process, highlighting the techniques of deconstruction and manipulation that define the brand's aesthetic.

On Exhibit: Must-See Art Shows in Alexandria This May

This article highlights a variety of art exhibitions and events taking place in Alexandria, Virginia, during May 2026. Featured shows include the "Floret 2026" floral exhibit and the May 2026 Open Exhibit juried by Jowita Wyszomirska at the Art League Gallery of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, as well as the Alexandria City High School Titan Student Art Exhibition at Del Ray Artisans Gallery. Other offerings include a mask exhibit at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, multiple ART + WINE + CHEESE soirées at Nepenthe featuring artists like Leah Sturgis, Sunny Goode, and Evelyn Dunphy, and special print exhibits at Printmakers, Inc. honoring Avis Fleming.

Province invests $35M to help expand Art Gallery of Ontario

The Ontario provincial government has announced a $35 million investment over two years to support the Art Gallery of Ontario's (AGO) expansion project, the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery. The funding will create at least 13 new galleries across five floors, adding 40,000 square feet of space and increasing display area by 30%. Construction is expected to be complete by fall 2027, enabling the AGO to welcome up to 120,000 additional visitors annually. This provincial contribution supplements a $35 million lead gift from Dani Reiss, $25 million from the Government of Canada, and other private donations.

Hood Museum of Art's longest-serving director to retire

John Stomberg, the director of Dartmouth College's Hood Museum of Art, has announced his retirement after leading the institution for over a decade. His tenure, which began in 2013, marks the longest directorship in the museum's history.

Quincy Art Center announces upcoming opening of Quincy Art Gallery on 6th

The Quincy Art Center has announced the launch of Quincy Art Gallery on 6th, a new satellite exhibition space in downtown Quincy. Scheduled for a soft opening on April 1 followed by a grand opening on April 25, the gallery will feature rotating quarterly exhibitions of work by local and regional artists, all of which will be available for purchase.

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.

Gina Blickenstaff Brings Bold Color Home To Fort Collins

Artist Gina Blickenstaff is set to present her second annual solo exhibition, "The Method and the Madness," at the Center for Creativity in Fort Collins. Spanning all three of the venue's galleries, the five-day event coincides with Fort Collins Art Week and features an artist talk alongside a showcase of her vibrant, color-focused paintings. Blickenstaff, a recipient of the Dame JaCkie Erickson Creative Catalyst Award, is transitioning from a primarily digital presence to deeper local engagement through this immersive physical installation.

Vacant Cincinnati warehouse to become new visual arts center

A long-vacant warehouse on Stathem Avenue in Westwood, Ohio, is being converted into the Apropos Art Society, a visual arts center. The project will include eight artist studios, a classroom for public workshops, and an art gallery, with the owners collaborating with an architect and contractor to transform the former plumbing warehouse. The center is expected to open by the end of the year.

New 808 Gallery Exhibition Showcases Faculty, Alumni Artwork

Boston University Art Galleries' 808 Gallery is presenting "Hidden in the Layers," a monthlong exhibition featuring printmaking and photography works by BU faculty and alumni. Originally shown at the 2024 Venice Biennale, the show includes pieces from artists Lynne Allen, Deborah Cornell, Toni Pepe, Joshua Brennan, and Charles Suggs, curated by Lissa Cramer, director of BU Art Galleries. The exhibition explores physical and conceptual layering across varied printmaking techniques.

One of Sheffield’s biggest art exhibitions to take place this weekend

Open Up Sheffield, an annual open studio event celebrating over 25 years of the city's cultural vibrancy, is holding its second leg this weekend on May 9-10. Over 140 artists across 90 venues are opening their homes and studios to the public, showcasing works from ceramics to paintings. The first leg took place over the Bank Holiday weekend, featuring artist Tom Heller, 80, who sells his work to benefit the charity Spreading Health, which trains nurses in Cameroon. The event is organized by a small committee on a not-for-profit basis and sponsored by RivelinCo.

Katara Opens Contemporary Graphic Art Exhibition

Katara Cultural Village Foundation in Doha has opened a Contemporary Graphic Art Exhibition featuring 29 artists from Qatar and abroad, displaying over 170 works that explore modern printmaking techniques. The exhibition runs until May 18 at Hall 18 in Katara Cultural Village, bringing together artists from different generations to showcase diverse styles and schools within printmaking. Exhibition coordinator Abdulrahman Al Muttawa, along with artists Haifa Al Khuzai and Lina Al Ali, highlighted the exhibition's role in strengthening printmaking's presence in the art scene and celebrating Qatari cultural heritage.

2026 Art Walk Series to transform Downtown Traverse City into gallery

Downtown Traverse City will host the 2026 Art Walk Series on two Friday evenings, May 29 and June 5, from 5-7 p.m. Organized by the Downtown Traverse City Association, the event pairs local artists with downtown merchants, turning shops and restaurants into temporary galleries. Art forms include painting, fiber, and wood, with live demonstrations, extended merchant hours, refreshments, and interactive activities. Additional programming includes hands-on activities at the J. Smith Walkway hosted by Crooked Tree Arts Center, live music at Horizon Books, and opportunities to view the city's permanent public art collection.

Westman artists take centre stage at Juried Art Show - Killarney

The 47th Westman Juried Art Show took place at the Killarney United Church's CE Center in Manitoba, showcasing 120 pieces of flat art by 87 local artists from 23 communities. Hosted by the Arts West Council and the Killarney-Turtle Mountain Arts Council, the event featured awards including Best in Show (Jacqui Beckett), People's Choice (Glenda Cairns Poirier), and a Theme Award (Shannon Desjardins), with jurors Leona Brown and Lucie Lederhendler providing written feedback on every entry. A record 41 youth participated, and 20 pieces were selected for the Travelling Gallery.

Skateboard Art Exhibit to display 80 students’ artwork

The Tioga Arts Council, in partnership with the Floyd Hooker Foundation and the Tioga County Youth Bureau, is hosting a Skateboard Art Exhibition at Owego Free Academy featuring artwork from 80 students. Artist Mark Rivard, through his program Do Rad Things, will lead seminars from April 27-30 covering motivational speaking, art entrepreneurship, and skateboard design, culminating in a public exhibition on May 1 at the Tioga Arts Council in Owego, New York.

Silent Stories Solo Exhibition by Shanaka Kulathunga to Debut in India at Bikaner House

Gallery Silver Scapes will present 'Silent Stories', a solo exhibition by Sri Lankan artist Shanaka Kulathunga, at the CCA Building, Bikaner House in New Delhi from May 21 to 28, 2026. This marks the artist's first solo presentation in India, featuring acrylic and oil paintings that explore memory, everyday life, and rural Sri Lankan landscapes through figuration and narrative depth. Curated by Archana Khare-Ghose, the exhibition includes a publication launch and aims to foster cross-cultural dialogue between India and Sri Lanka.

Ripple Effect Art Festival to Spread Across County

The inaugural Ripple Effect Arts Festival will take place April 16–26 across Santa Cruz County, featuring 11 days of performances, exhibitions, workshops, and interactive events spanning visual art, music, dance, theater, film, fashion, and spoken word. The festival includes two concurrent exhibitions at M.K. Contemporary Art in downtown Santa Cruz: 'The Anatomy of Wonder: Photo Sculptures' by Michael Garlington and 'Rochambeau' featuring eight local and Bay Area artists. Major hubs include Santa Cruz and Watsonville, with a grand finale near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk featuring musician Helado Negro.

Reading artists exhibit work in new partnership with cafe

The Reading Guild of Artists (RGA) has partnered with Honesty Café in Thames Quarter, Reading, to host monthly art exhibitions by its members. The first display features vibrant prints by artist Mark Burden, launched at an event on April 16. This initiative follows other RGA projects at Reading Museum and Royal Berks Hospital, expanding the guild's community outreach.

Six artists reflect on the Azores in a new DATMA exhibition downtown

The Massachusetts Design Art Technology Institute (DATMA) is launching "The Same Sea," an exhibition featuring six artists from the South Coast region who participated in the inaugural Hotel Papel artist residency on Faial Island in the Azores. Opening April 30 in New Bedford, the show presents a diverse range of media—including painting, ceramics, film, and photography—created during a 10-day immersive experience earlier this year.

Room Art Fair 2026 transforms 25hours Hotel Jakarta into a living gallery

The 25hours Hotel Jakarta The Oddbird has launched the inaugural Room Art Fair 2026 to coincide with World Art Day. In collaboration with the Indonesian Art Galleries Association (AGSI), the event transforms the hotel’s 10th-floor guest rooms into immersive gallery spaces featuring 13 different galleries. By removing the formal barriers of traditional white-cube settings, the fair allows visitors to engage with contemporary Indonesian art in a domestic, intimate environment.

Bob’s Art Blog: Arts Spring To-Do List—Millworks, the AAH and the JNS Gallery and CALC

The Millworks Art Studios in Harrisburg has introduced a new cohort of resident artists dubbed "The New Guard," featuring a diverse range of local talent. This group includes photorealistic racecar painter Annika Koser, found-objects sculptor and former architect Jeff Scorza, and woodworker Kelly Anoka, alongside the recent addition of narrative artist Marina Radanovic. Each artist brings a distinct material focus—from industrial glass and metal to upcycled local timber—strengthening the collaborative creative community within the studio complex.

Saginaw Area Watermedia art exhibition opens at Studio 23 in Bay City

Studio 23/The Arts Center in Bay City, Michigan, is launching a group exhibition featuring 21 members of the Saginaw Area Watermedia Artists (SAWA). The show highlights a diverse range of water-based media, including watercolor, gouache, acrylic, and mixed-media collage, with styles spanning from traditional representation to pure abstraction. An opening reception on March 5 will feature an awards presentation led by juror Armin Mersmann.

Hastings pub holds art exhibition in support of local food charity

The Crown pub in Hastings Old Town is hosting an art exhibition to raise funds for Sustenance Food Charity in St Leonards. Local artists, ceramicists, photographers, and sculptors are invited to donate artwork on the theme of Food, Sharing and Community, with all pieces sold for £50 each and 100% of proceeds going to the charity, aiming to raise £1,000.