Robbie Williams' songwriter to play at flower fair

Songwriter Guy Chambers, best known for his long creative partnership with Robbie Williams, will perform a piano recital at the Review of Sussex Arts (ROSA) Botanical Art Fair in Chichester, UK, from 1-4 May. The fair, held at West Dean Gardens, brings together over 100 artists and performers from across Europe, featuring a sculpture garden, contemporary floristry, and a botanical art exhibition curated by 18 members of The Society of Botanical Artists. Environmental organization Forests Without Frontiers will host an immersive "Listening to Nature" performance using headphones to amplify natural sounds.

TIA KI hosts Flower Moon art exhibition in Dimapur

TIA KI – Nagaland Art Space in Dimapur is hosting 'Flower Moon: May Special', a week-long art exhibition running from May 2 to 9, 2026. The exhibition features 12 participating artists and brands from Nagaland, including KINTEM, Hues of Hills, and Smallshop by Jason Anshu, with works spanning poetry, spoken word, textiles, drapery, dance, and performance. The opening on May 1 featured a performance art piece written by Anungla Zoe Longkumer, performed by Virieno Christina Zakiesato and Carol Humstoe, with styling by Imchatsung Imchen.

The Biennale in Numbers

Die Biennale in Zahlen

Die diesjährige Kunstbiennale in Venedig präsentiert 111 Künstlerinnen, Künstler und Kollektive in der Hauptausstellung – deutlich weniger als 2024 mit 331 und 2022 mit 213 Teilnehmenden. Die Biennale umfasst 99 nationale Pavillons, darunter sieben Länder, die zum ersten Mal vertreten sind: Guinea, Äquatorialguinea, Nauru, Katar, Sierra Leone und weitere.

Perception in orbit: hui.red’s first exhibition with artist Zhang Meichun

hui.red, an independent curatorial platform in Milan founded by Huizhong “Ines” Song, presents its inaugural exhibition "Legitimation of Dust," featuring the work of Chinese artist Zhang Meichun. This marks Zhang Meichun's first exhibition in Italy, showcasing pieces such as "Shoreless River," "Dust of Breath," "Fossil of Light," and "The Blind Oracle" that blend body, data, and cosmic perception through sensors, algorithms, and interactive installations.

'A space that feels like us, that looks like us'

The Center for Black Excellence and Culture will open on West Badger Road in Madison on May 6, after years of planning and raising over $32 million from roughly 1,300 donors. The facility includes a central gallery, display spaces, a 280-seat fine arts theater, a black box theater, a library, a Black studies reading room, a recording studio, and a women's empowerment center. The grand opening will feature performances by The House Urban Arts Initiative Inc., Dana Pellebon, Theola Carter, Anthony Brown, and others. The inaugural visual arts exhibition, "Neo Black Renaissance: A Vision in One's Mind," will run through August, showcasing works by artists including Comfort Wasikhongo, Odalo Wasikhongo, Marlon Banks, Brooklyn Doby, Jessica Patterson, Fatima Laster, and Shalicia Johnson.

MACRO / micro Members Exhibition Opens Friday At The AVA Main Gallery

AVA's annual members-only exhibition, MACRO / micro, opens this Friday, May 1st, at the AVA Main Gallery in Chattanooga. The thematic show explores scale in all its forms, featuring works that range from large-scale statements to intimate pieces, examining contrasts between the monumental and the microscopic. Concurrently, the gallery presents Cross-Pollination, a collaborative installation by four artists—Claire Vassort, Lisa Houser, Dixon Stetler, and Cody Havens—who work across silk, mosaics, 3D mixed media, and photography to create an immersive, cross-disciplinary dialogue.

New art gallery inspired by Norfolk landscape to open in nature reserve

A new art gallery is set to open within Pensthorpe, a nature reserve in Norfolk, on May 25, in partnership with local artist Claire Frances Smith. Housed in the former education building, the gallery will display Smith's original landscape paintings and giclée prints in a relaxed, interiors-led setting, and will also host seasonal painting workshops, starting with an En Plein Air Masterclass on June 30. The reserve's education centre will be relocated and enhanced over the summer.

Exploring Shekhawati: Rajasthan’s open-air art gallery of frescoed havelis

The article explores the Shekhawati region of northern Rajasthan, India, known as the world's largest open-air art gallery. It focuses on the 18th–20th century merchant havelis (mansions) hand-painted with intricate frescoes, many of which are now being restored as heritage hotels. The author recounts a personal stay at Malji Ka Kamra, a restored haveli in Mandawa, describing its blend of Italianate and Rajput architecture and the overwhelming frescoes covering every surface, depicting portraits, floral motifs, and scenes of daily life.

“The Meanderings” art exhibition opens in Jammu

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo inaugurated a three-day painting exhibition titled “The Meanderings” by Pradeep Wahule, an Indian Forest Service officer and Conservator of Forests, at Kala Kendra Jammu. The event, organized under the Department of Culture, featured around 40 artworks displayed at the Master Sansar Chand Gallery, with Brij Mohan Sharma as Special Guest and remarks from officials including Sarvesh Rai, Harvinder Kour, and Dr. Javaid Rahi. Curator Rashmi Rao noted this is the sixth state where she has managed the show.

Meloni on Venice Biennale: 'I've somewhat lost track'

Meloni über Venedig-Biennale: "Habe den Überblick etwas verloren"

Days before the opening of the Venice Biennale, the entire international jury resigned in protest over Russia's participation despite its war against Ukraine. The jury had previously excluded Russia and Israel from prize consideration due to International Criminal Court warrants against their leaders. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni admitted she had "lost track" of the situation, while the government sent inspectors to Venice. Biennale organizers responded by postponing the Golden Lion awards until November and introducing two audience-choice awards that will include Russian and Israeli entries.

Iowa Art Quilters Association and Fiber Artists exhibit opens May 1

The Fairfield Art Association is opening a new exhibition titled "Iowa Art Quilters and Fiber Artists" on May 1st at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. The show features eight recognized Iowa artists—Karen Anne Babcock Grimes, Sue Kluber, Judy Ludwick, Wendy Read, Barbara Riggs, Kathryn Roe, Jean Taft, and Patricia Weber—displaying up to 50 original art quilt works in various sizes and styles, many of which are available for purchase. A reception for the artists and guests will be held from 6 to 9 p.m.

Somerville brings art into City Hall with new Community Collections exhibits

Somerville is launching a new rotating art exhibit series called Community Collections inside City Hall, starting April 29 with the RE-discovering Somerville Open Studios show. The inaugural exhibit features artwork by Somerville Open Studios (SOS) artists, photographs of artists in their studios by Aram Comjean, and vintage SOS posters. The series is hosted by the Somerville Arts Council and co-curated by City Art Coordinator Heather Balchunas and SOS President Hilary Scott, with an art reception scheduled for May 18.

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.

Butternut Valley Alliance Seeks Artists For On The Trail Of Art Forest Exhibition

Butternut Valley Alliance (BVA) is accepting artist submissions for On the Trail of Art, its annual forest exhibition scheduled for June 13-14 at General Jacob Morris State Forest in Morris, New York. Artists are invited to submit weatherproof work for outdoor display along a forest trail, and may also contribute to BVA’s online auction. The event includes wandering musicians, poetry readings, live bands, art demonstrations, and a treasure hunt for commemorative hand-blown crystal balls, with select installations reflecting on America’s 250th anniversary. An opening reception will be held June 12 at Dunderberg Gallery in Gilbertsville.

Landmark £5.36m UK touring art exhibition to conclude in Edinburgh

A landmark £5.36 million UK touring art exhibition, "Earthly Paradise: Radical Living in the UK," part of the Going Places scheme coordinated by Art Fund, will conclude at Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh from March to September 2028. The exhibition is one of several initiatives under Going Places, which also includes "Making Her Mark: A Celebration of Women in Art" launching April 30, 2026 at Penlee House Gallery & Museum in Penzance, touring to Kirkcaldy Galleries in 2027, and "Communities of Making" at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery exploring Scottish wool traditions, plus "New Faces New Focus" at Aberdeenshire Farming Museum.

Paradise Mobile Heritage Month Art Showcase

Paradise Mobile has announced the return of its Heritage Month Art Showcase, a local art exhibition running throughout May at its 24 Reid Street store in Bermuda. The exhibition features nearly 50 works from 20 Bermudian artists, selected through an open call around the theme 'For de Culture' set by the Department of Culture. Pieces span paintings, ceramics, photography, music, embroidery, woodwork, sculpture, model boats, and poetry, and are available for purchase with all proceeds going to the artists. A public opening reception will be held on May 8th with live music and refreshments, and visitors can vote for the 'Paradise People's Choice Award' winner.

M.Lyn Arts Invites the Community to Art Show that Focuses on New Work, Hurricane Imagery, and Community Connection

M. Lyn Arts will host its first 2026 Art Show on May 9-10 at Mystic Brew in Tillet Gardens, St. Croix, featuring original artwork for sale. The exhibition introduces new techniques, color palettes, and larger-scale works, including storm-themed pieces inspired by hurricanes Irma and Maria, with a shift toward personifying storms to convey human emotions. Food and drinks will be provided by Mystic Brew and Rock City Tacos.

Community Corner: 11th SLAM – Savannah Local Artist Market returns featuring more than 80 artists

The 11th Savannah Local Artist Market (SLAM) returns on Saturday, May 2, 2026, featuring more than 80 artists. The free, grassroots event takes place at Salvation Army Baseball field in Savannah, Georgia, with a rain date of May 9. SLAM Founder Charlie Ellis and local artist William Kwamena Poh discussed the event in an interview with WSAV's Kim Gusby.

Cosgrove Care spring art exhibition ends with special closing celebration

Cosgrove Care's Spring Art Exhibition concluded with a closing celebration on April 23 at Eastwood Park Theatre and Gallery in East Renfrewshire. The exhibition, which ran from April 2-23, featured works from 22 Cosgrove artists on the theme 'Awakening of the Landscape After a Cold, Harsh Winter'. Blair McDougall, MP for East Renfrewshire, attended and purchased an artwork for his parliamentary office. The event brought together artists, families, supporters, and board members, including Dr David and Mrs Carole Walton, and Kayleigh Quinn. New chief executive Carolann Lanigan praised the artists' passion and creativity, supported by Arts Tutor Susan Kennedy.

Leeum's installation art exhibition explores women-led history of genre

The Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul will open the exhibition "Inside Other Spaces" on May 5, featuring 11 installation artists from Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The show reconstructs full-scale environments from 1956 to 1976, including Korean artist Jung Kang-ja's "Incorporeal Exhibition" (1970), which was forcibly dismantled by the Korean government and is being rebuilt for the first time. The exhibition previously appeared at Munich's Haus der Kunst, Rome's Maxxi, and Hong Kong's M+, with each venue expanding its scope.

Berliner Finanzsenator Evers übernimmt Leitung von Kulturverwaltung

Berlin's finance senator Stefan Evers (CDU) has been appointed to temporarily lead the city's cultural administration, marking the third change in leadership within a year. This follows the resignation of Joe Chialo in May 2025 and the departure of his successor Sarah Wedl-Wilson on the previous Friday, after months of controversy over the approval of funding grants. Evers will hold both finance and culture portfolios until the Berlin state election on September 20, 2025. The decision was made by CDU district chairpersons after initial talks with former justice senator Thomas Heilmann fell through.

An art exhibit showcasing AA Raiba’s versatility across mediums

Thapar Gallery is presenting an exhibition titled "Master Artist A. A. Raiba: A Unilateral Eclectic," showcasing the work of Indian modernist Abdul Aziz Raiba from the 1950s and 1960s. The show highlights Raiba's versatility across mediums including murals, paintings on jute, reverse glass paintings, serigraphs, calligraphy, and sketches, and features landscape drawings from his Kashmir sojourn between 1957 and 1959. The exhibition runs until June 21.

Venezia Comics Celebrates Paolo Ongaro at Upcoming Festival

Italian cultural association Venezia Comics has announced an exhibition dedicated to comics artist Paolo Ongaro at its upcoming festival (1st–3rd May 2026). The exhibition, titled “Paolo Ongaro, il poeta dell’avventura” (“Paolo Ongaro: The Poet of Adventure”), will feature a range of his published work, with a focus on his series Spazio Chiama Atlantide. The event is organized in partnership with Storytelling Edizioni, which is also publishing the first volume of reprints of Ongaro’s stories. Ongaro, a recognized master of Italian comics born in Mestre in 1946, has worked for publishers such as Rizzoli, Mondadori, Disney, and Bonelli, and has drawn iconic characters including Tarzan, Diabolik, Mickey Mouse, and Martin Mystère. He will be present at the festival all three days for signings and chats.

RiNo Art District expands First Friday into summer festival series

RiNo Art District in Denver is expanding its monthly First Friday art walk into a free summer festival series, beginning May 1, 2026, at RiNo ArtPark at Arkins Park. The inaugural event will run from 4 to 9 p.m., featuring live music by Denver group Chouette, food vendors such as TacoNation and Black Knife Bakery, art exhibitions, and hands-on workshops led by local artists including Courtney Ozaki-Durgin. Three festivals are planned for 2026, with additional dates on August 7 and September 4, plus a partnership with the Denver Fringe Festival on June 5.

Senior artists explore censorship, AI and transformation in the capstone exhibition

Shippensburg University senior art students presented their capstone exhibition at the Huber Art Center, featuring works in printmaking, digital art, ceramics, and charcoal drawings. Artists Luke Lindvall, Gerald Pratt, Kaylee Will, Alayna Mandich, and Lily Bramucci explored themes including censorship, artificial intelligence, horror, and personal transformation. Lindvall pushed printmaking onto unconventional surfaces like skateboards and furniture, Pratt addressed over-censorship in politics, Will warned against over-reliance on technology and AI in raising children, Mandich used horror imagery to examine beauty, and Bramucci connected pit-fired ceramics to life choices and hardship.

Charlotte professor brings voice to African artists, reshaping the mold of contemporary art

Lisa Homann, an Associate Art & Art History Professor at UNC Charlotte, will participate in the 2024 Venice Biennale (May 9–Nov. 22) alongside West African Masquerade artist David Sanou. Homann co-curated the traveling exhibition "New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations," which opened in New Orleans and will conclude at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. She was invited by Kevin Dumouchelle, the museum's main curator, to join the African Art in Venice Forum, a critical dialogue aimed at giving voice to contemporary African artists often excluded from mainstream contemporary art narratives. Homann's work with the Sanou family spans nearly two decades, beginning with David's father, Andre Sanou, in 2008.

Emerging artists up for exhibition award

The 53rd Riversdale Mixed Media Arts Exhibition will take place in June at the Riversdale Community Centre in New Zealand, featuring a $1,000 emerging artist award for artists aged 13-25 from Southland, Queenstown-Lakes, and West Otago. The award received a record 44 entries in 2025, with judges Marcella and Jim Geddes selecting the top 10 artworks for display on opening day. Last year's winner, 18-year-old Finn Young from Southland Boys' High School, won with a woodcut printmaking piece depicting native birds and the extinction of the huia.

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.

Chester County art exhibition at Chester County art association

The Chester County Art Association in West Chester hosted the Chester County High School Art Exhibition and PA 6th District Congressional Art Competition reception on April 15. The event featured nearly 500 student works including sculptures, oil paintings, colored pencil pieces, and photography, with awards presented for both competitions. Josiah Fung of Wilmington Friends School won first place in the congressional competition for his piece "Friends for Life," which will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. The exhibition was coordinated by the Chester County Intermediate Unit and partially funded by CCRES Educational and Behavioral Health Services.

Fourth annual Student Art Exhibition adds more artists and expands sponsors

Marquette University held its fourth annual Student Art Exhibition on April 23, 2026, at the Lemonis Center for Student Success, featuring ten student artists each awarded a $500 stipend to create works around themes such as “Culture & Career,” “Defining Success,” “Belonging at Marquette,” and “Expanding Horizons.” The event, organized by Career Center director Courtney Hanson, included pieces by Jessica Wrobel and Salo Aristizabal, among others, and was sponsored by the Career Center, the Division of Belonging and Student Affairs, the Lemonis Center, Raynor Library, and Enterprise Mobility.