Amy Sherald exhibit sets 21st century visitor record at BMA

The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) has achieved a historic milestone with its exhibition 'Amy Sherald: American Sublime,' which drew 84,000 visitors between October 2025 and March 2026. This figure more than doubled the museum's initial projections and set a new record for the highest attendance of any exhibition at the institution in the 21st century. The show featured 45 large-scale portraits by the Baltimore-born artist, focusing on themes of identity and representation.

Elizabeth Blackadder exhibition to showcase 'meaningful' 50 year collaboration with Scottish studio

Edinburgh’s Dovecot Studios is launching a major exhibition titled "Elizabeth Blackadder: Her Life in Colour" to celebrate the late artist’s 50-year collaboration with the tapestry studio. The show features over 30 tapestries and hand-tufted rugs, headlined by the debut of a newly created rug based on Blackadder’s 1975 painting, "The Red Bouquet." The exhibition also incorporates works from the Royal Scottish Academy’s collection to provide a comprehensive look at her legacy.

Biggest ever exhibition of work by major British artist coming to Williamson Art Gallery

The Williamson Art Gallery & Museum in Birkenhead has announced the largest-ever retrospective of the influential 20th-century British artist Leonard McComb. Titled "Leonard McComb: Nature and Humanity," the exhibition will feature over 60 works, including the monumental 10-meter drawing "Rock and Sea Anglesey" on loan from Oriel Môn, alongside pieces from Manchester Art Gallery and the Royal Academy.

The Louvre’s new director is inheriting a troubled, traumatised museum—can he repair the damage?

Christophe Leribault has been appointed as the new director of the Musée du Louvre, taking over an institution reeling from a major security breach. The theft of the crown jewels in October exposed severe systemic failures, including neglected security upgrades and a management culture criticized as autocratic under his predecessor, Laurence des Cars. The museum has also been plagued by strikes, ticket fraud scandals, and damaging parliamentary reports.

Latin American Art: Structural Growth between Market and Institutions

Latin American Art: Structural Growth between Market and Institutions

Latin American contemporary art is experiencing structural growth and increased global visibility between 2024 and 2026, moving beyond speculative trends toward deep-seated institutional legitimacy. This shift is highlighted by the prominent inclusion of regional artists in major international platforms, most notably the 2026 Venice Biennale and the Pinault Collection. Key figures such as Rosanna Paulino, Adriana Varejão, and Paulo Nazareth are leading this movement, utilizing diverse media to explore themes of post-colonialism, racial violence, and ecological memory.

Lyman Allyn Museum Director Sam Quigley to Retire

Sam Quigley, the director of the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London, Connecticut, has announced his retirement after 12 years at the helm. During his tenure, Quigley was instrumental in modernizing the institution by establishing the Near :: New Gallery for regional contemporary art, creating a permanent Louis Comfort Tiffany exhibition, and overseeing the development of the 12-acre Lyman Allyn Park. He also significantly bolstered the permanent collection with acquisitions by major figures such as John Singer Sargent and David Driskell.

Liz Munsell Named Vice President of Brooklyn’s Powerhouse Arts

Liz Munsell has been appointed Vice President of Curatorial Arts and Programs at Brooklyn's Powerhouse Arts, a creative nonprofit in Gowanus. She will develop public programming, exhibitions, and community engagement, while overseeing artist residencies and art fairs, including the upcoming Brooklyn Fine Art Print Fair. She succeeds Diya Vij, who left to become New York City's cultural affairs commissioner.

Two Exhibitions in Paris Galleries

Deux expositions dans les galeries parisiennes

Two notable drawing exhibitions are currently on view in Paris galleries. The first, organized by dealer Nicolas Schwed on Rue Saint-Honoré, features a strong selection of old and modern master drawings, with a surprising emphasis on 18th-century French works alongside Italian pieces. Highlights include a preparatory study by Federico Zuccaro for a Roman fresco and a rare drawing of the Trinity by Cornelis Schut, which is linked to a lost altarpiece from Cologne.

40 Years Later, Houston's FotoFest Keeps Its Edge

Houston’s FotoFest is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a massive retrospective titled "Global Visions: FotoFest at 40," featuring over 450 artists from 58 countries. Founded by Wendy Watriss and Frederick Baldwin after a transformative trip to the Rencontres d'Arles, the biennial was established to combat American parochialism by introducing international photography to the U.S. The current iteration spans multiple venues, including the Sawyer Yards Galleries and Project Row Houses, showcasing the festival's history of thematic curation ranging from Russian Pictorialism to contemporary Arab media.

Jones Walker of Taos: Where art feels like home

Interior designers Tony Walker and Max Jones have established Jones Walker of Taos, a gallery on Bent Street that emphasizes a welcoming, domestic atmosphere. After relocating from Dallas in 2018, the duo transitioned from award-winning interior design careers to gallerists, curating a diverse collection of local talent that includes descendants of Taos Pueblo and Spanish carving families. The gallery showcases a mix of modern and traditional paintings, carvings, pottery, and weaving, focusing on authentic regional craftsmanship that appeals to both local residents and international collectors.

Longmont Museum expansion to bring bigger galleries and experiences for all ages

The Longmont Museum in Colorado has successfully raised $10.2 million for a 7,000-square-foot expansion, surpassing its original funding goal. The project, largely funded by a $6 million gift from the Stewart Family Foundation, will introduce a dedicated children's gallery, a permanent history gallery, and a larger 4,000-square-foot space for major art exhibitions. Construction is set to begin in July 2025, with the first major art show, a photographic portrait of Frida Kahlo, scheduled for October 2026.

'10 Years LA!' at Sprüth Magers, Los Angeles, United States on 15 May–8 Aug 2026

Sprüth Magers is marking its tenth anniversary in Los Angeles with a comprehensive group exhibition titled '10 Years LA!', running from May 15 to August 8, 2026. The showcase features an extensive roster of the gallery's most influential artists, including local icons like John Baldessari and Ed Ruscha alongside international figures such as Barbara Kruger and Andreas Gursky. Since its 2016 debut on Wilshire Boulevard, the gallery has served as a vital bridge between the European and West Coast art scenes.

At Perrotin Paris, Bernard Frize Pushes Against His Own Self-Imposed Constraints

Bernard Frize’s latest exhibition, "Les 26," at Perrotin Paris marks his 21st show with the gallery and a continued exploration of his rigorous, process-driven abstraction. The exhibition features his signature interlocking grids and geometric latticework, created using wet-on-wet brushstrokes locked in resin, alongside tempera paintings on glass that follow strict linear rules. By utilizing utilitarian titles and avoiding representational forms, Frize seeks to decenter his own subjectivity, allowing the physical act of painting and the resulting optical tension to lead the viewer’s experience.

A Midwest Frieze: Kate Sierzputowski Takes the Reigns as Director of Expo Chicago From Founder Tony Karman

Kate Sierzputowski has officially stepped into the role of Director at Expo Chicago, succeeding longtime founder Tony Karman following the fair's acquisition by Frieze. As the fair prepares for its April 2025 edition at Navy Pier, Sierzputowski is overseeing a significant transition that includes a streamlined roster of 130 galleries and a more integrated branding presence from the Frieze parent company.

Piacenza, Klimt's Portrait of a Lady is back at the Ricci Oddi Gallery of Modern Art

Gustav Klimt’s "Portrait of a Lady" has returned to the Ricci Oddi Gallery of Modern Art in Piacenza following a successful loan exhibition at the My Art Museum in Seoul. The masterpiece resumes its permanent display just as the gallery prepares to unveil a comprehensive renovation of its 22 exhibition rooms. Designed by Lissoni & Partners, the redevelopment project has modernized over 1,000 square meters of the institution's floor space.

At the Grand Palais, the Paris Book Festival Puts Comics in the Spotlight

Au Grand Palais, le Festival du livre de Paris met la bande dessinée à l’honneur

The Festival du livre de Paris returns to the Grand Palais from April 17 to 19, 2026, marking a continued transformation from a massive trade fair into a curated cultural event. This year’s edition features 450 publishers and places a significant emphasis on comic books (BD), highlighted by two thematic exhibitions on the Balcon d’Honneur and a dedicated youth village. The program also includes a culinary-themed nocturne and the "Cabaret Extra!" performance series produced in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou.

Yann Le Touher Takes the Reins of the Bernardins' Patronage

Yann Le Touher prend les rênes du mécénat des Bernardins

Yann Le Touher has been appointed as the new General Director of the Fondation des Bernardins. The 44-year-old philanthropy specialist, with a career spanning the Musée d'Orsay, Centre Pompidou, the Réunion des musées nationaux – Grand Palais, and the Louvre, succeeds Emmanuel Cortey in leading the foundation.

A New Antonello da Messina Discovered. It Will Go to Auction in June: Could Sicily Step Forward to Buy It This Time?

Scoperto un nuovo Antonello da Messina. Andrà in asta a giugno: stavolta potrebbe farsi avanti la Sicilia per l’acquisto?

A newly discovered small wooden panel painting, depicting the face of a young beardless saint, has been attributed to the Renaissance master Antonello da Messina. The work, a fragment of a lost composition, will be auctioned on June 16 by Parisian auction house Ader alongside a signed early work by Peter Paul Rubens. Both come from an anonymous collector who purchased them in France decades ago.

Chicana Painter Criselda Vasquez Says ICE Detained Her Father

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained the father of Chicana painter Criselda Vasquez, who served as the primary subject for her acclaimed 2017 painting "The New American Gothic." The artist reported that her father, a resident of the United States for over 40 years, was racially profiled and arrested while returning from work in California. In response, the family launched a successful crowdfunding campaign that raised nearly $68,000 in ten days to cover legal fees and lost wages.

Artemis II Captures Spectacular Images of ‘Earthset’ from Deep Space

NASA’s Artemis II mission has released a series of stunning high-definition images captured during its 10-day journey around the Moon, marking the first crewed lunar mission in over half a century. Among the most striking visuals is a photograph of an 'Earthset,' showing our home planet descending behind the lunar horizon. The mission is currently underway and is expected to conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10.

10 Must-See Museum Exhibitions This Spring

Major museums worldwide are launching a series of high-profile exhibitions this spring that challenge traditional art historical narratives. Highlights include a Marcel Duchamp retrospective at MoMA, a deep dive into Pop art's legacy at the Guggenheim, and significant surveys of icons like Frida Kahlo and Agnes Martin. Meanwhile, UCCA Beijing is presenting a major exhibition of Duan Jianyu, highlighting the evolution of Chinese painting in relation to Western influence.

Kunsthalle Mainz Facing the End?

Kunsthalle Mainz vor dem Aus?

The Kunsthalle Mainz is facing potential closure by the end of the year following the withdrawal of funding by the Mainzer Stadtwerke. The crisis is compounded by the departure of director Stefanie Böttcher, who is moving to the Kunsthalle Kiel, and the fact that her position has not been advertised for replacement. Despite its international reputation and successful recent exhibitions, such as the current Britta Marakatt-Labba retrospective, the institution lacks a secured financial future and a leadership succession plan.

Stories in Copper and Vinyl

Geschichten in Kupfer und Vinyl

The UCCA Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing is hosting "Hundreds and Thousands," the first institutional retrospective of the late American conceptual artist Rutherford Chang. The exhibition showcases Chang’s career-long obsession with collecting and cataloging mass-produced objects, most notably featuring his collection of over 3,700 first-pressings of the Beatles’ "White Album." Other significant works include a 31-kilogram copper cube created from 10,000 pre-1982 pennies and a digital archive of over 2,000 of the artist's own Game Boy Tetris sessions.

New York Court Orders Restitution of a Modigliani to the Oscar Stettiner Estate

La justice new-yorkaise ordonne la restitution d’un Modigliani à la succession d’Oscar Stettiner

A New York judge has ordered the restitution of Amedeo Modigliani’s 1918 painting, "Seated Man With a Cane," to the heirs of Oscar Stettiner. The artwork, which was seized during the Nazi occupation of Paris and sold at a forced auction in 1944, had been in the possession of the powerful Nahmad art-dealing family since 1996. Judge Joel M. Cohen ruled that the evidence of Stettiner’s prior ownership was "unusually strong" and dismissed the defense's claims that the work was a different version or that the claim was filed too late.

New York Court Orders Restitution of a Modigliani to the Oscar Stettiner Estate

La justice new-yorkaise ordonne la restitution d’un Modigliani à la succession d’Oscar Stettiner

A New York court has ordered the restitution of Amedeo Modigliani’s 1918 painting 'Seated Man with a Cane' to the heirs of Oscar Stettiner, a Jewish art dealer. The work was seized during the Nazi occupation of Paris and sold at a forced auction in 1944 before eventually being purchased by the billionaire Nahmad family via an offshore company in 1996. Judge Joel M. Cohen ruled that the evidence of Stettiner’s prior ownership was "unusually strong" and dismissed the defense's claims that the painting was a different version or that the claim was filed too late.

The Long Legal Saga Between Artist Ryder Ripps and the Bored Ape Yacht Club Is Finally Over

Yuga Labs, the creator of the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), has reached a confidential settlement with artist Ryder Ripps and his partner Jeremy Cahen, ending a multi-year legal battle over trademark infringement and appropriation art. The dispute began in 2022 when Ripps launched his RR/BAYC NFT collection, which used identical imagery to the original Bored Apes to protest alleged racist and alt-right symbolism within the project. As part of the agreement, Ripps and Cahen are now under a permanent injunction preventing them from using any Yuga Labs trademarks or images.

Kasashima Gallery Announces 2026 Exhibition Plan for Europe and Asia

Osaka-based Kasashima Gallery has unveiled its comprehensive 2026 exhibition schedule, which features a strategic expansion across Europe and Asia. The program includes a January showcase in Rome, a rare collection exhibition in Osaka in April, a summer tour through Western Europe, and a year-end retrospective in Japan, collectively featuring over 110 artists.

In this L’Aquila High School, there is a Contemporary Art Collection Created by Students and Artists

In questo liceo dell’Aquila c’è una collezione d’arte contemporanea realizzata dagli studenti con gli artisti

The Liceo Bafile in L’Aquila has established a permanent collection of contemporary art featuring over 60 site-specific works created through collaborations between professional artists and students. Initiated by artist and professor Licia Galizia following the devastating 2009 earthquake, the project integrates art into the educational environment as a tool for cultural rebirth. In 2026, the collection will expand further with seven new installations created by artists including Elena Bellantoni and Marco Nereo Rotelli in partnership with the Academy of Fine Arts of L’Aquila.

Making Art Between Light and Darkness. It Happens in a Show in Veneto at Arzignano

Fare arte tra luce e buio. Succede in una mostra in Veneto ad Arzignano

The group exhibition "L’ombra delle lucciole" (The Shadow of the Fireflies) is on view at the Atipografia gallery in Arzignano, Veneto. Curated by Alfonso Cariolato and Luigi de Marzi, it features works by Mats Bergquist, Marco Tirelli, Silvia Inselvini, and Loes van Roozendaal, all exploring the tension and coexistence between light and darkness through diverse painting techniques.

Biennale Jogja 18 Review: Occasional Moments of Brilliance

The 18th edition of Biennale Jogja, titled 'KAWRUH: Land of Rooted Practices,' explores Javanese concepts of lived knowledge and alternative epistemologies to challenge Western, human-centric frameworks. The exhibition is split into two phases: a process-driven residency in Boro Hamlet and a larger presentation featuring 60 artists across 11 venues in Yogyakarta. While the show features standout works like Faisal Kamadobat’s mythological illustrations and Yuta Niwa’s cross-cultural mandalas, the physical experience is marred by unfinished venues and logistical hurdles.