King's Leap gallery in New York presents "There were gardens," a group exhibition running from April 3 to May 9, 2026, featuring works by Dara Birnbaum, Gina Folly, Collin Leitch, Chris Marker, Jeff Preiss, Julia Scher, Jason Simon, and Mira M. Yang. The show includes 37 images documented in the Contemporary Art Library, with photography by Stephen Faught.
The 2026 Met Gala, scheduled for May 4, will serve as the fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, with a theme inspired by the new exhibition "Costume Art." The event is co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour, with lead sponsorship from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos, and will inaugurate the museum's new Conde M. Nast Galleries.
The article lists January 2026 art exhibitions across multiple venues in Charlottesville, Virginia, including Ruffin Gallery at the University of Virginia, Crozet Artisan Depot, The Fralin Museum of Art, The Gallery at Studio IX, IX Art Park, Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, and Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. Highlights include the Ruffin Distinguished Artist-in-Residence exhibition “We Dream of Life” by Paula Wilson and iris yirei hu, featuring a monumental 56-foot textile; “Haiti’s Time” at The Fralin Museum; and “In the Beginning” at Kluge-Ruhe showcasing Spinifex Arts Project artists. Other shows include “INSTRUMENTAL” by Rich Tarbell, “The Looking Glass” immersive space, and “Finally Remembered: The Black Patriots of Central Virginia” at the Heritage Center.
Artist and author Oliver Jeffers is holding his first exhibition in his hometown of Belfast in over 20 years. The show, titled "Disasters and Interventions," is on view at the Naughton Gallery at Queen's University and features a series of works where Jeffers inserts calamitous scenes—such as an oil tanker spill or an airship crash—into tranquil vintage landscapes, transforming calm into catastrophe. The project began when he found a discarded print in New York's Chinatown and began painting into it, eventually building a collection over 14 years that balances tragedy with a wry, thoughtful humor.
Les Yeux du Monde presents 'GROUNDING,' the final show of 2025 featuring new oil paintings by Annie Harris Massie that explore light, memory, and place through landscapes and botanical studies of her Lynchburg, Virginia surroundings. Other December exhibitions include Randall Stoltzfus's 'To Hold The Light' at Angelo Jewelry, Judith Ely's paintings at Botanical Fare, and 'All That Glitters' by Natalie Darling at C’ville Arts Cooperative Gallery. The Fralin Museum of Art at UVA hosts three shows: 'Haiti’s Time' from the Sullivan collection, 'In Feeling: Empathy and Tension Through Disability,' and 'The World Between: Egypt and Nubia in Africa.' The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection features works from the Spinifex Arts Project and Robert Fielding, while the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center presents 'Finally Remembered: The Black Patriots of Central Virginia.'
The Clay Studio in Philadelphia has opened a new exhibition titled 'Clay as Care: Ceramic Art and Wellbeing,' which explores the therapeutic and restorative benefits of working with ceramics. Co-curated by Jennifer Zwilling and Nicole Pollard, the show features four artists—Adebunmi Gbadebo, Jennifer Ling Datchuk, Ehren Tool, and Maia Chao—each using clay to address personal healing journeys, from fertility struggles to trauma recovery. The exhibition includes interactive elements like communal clay for visitors and is part of a research project partnering with the University of Pennsylvania Center for Neuroaesthetics, Jefferson University Art Therapy Department, and Drexel University Art Psychotherapy team to study the wellness effects of art exhibitions.
The Clay Studio in Philadelphia has opened a new exhibition titled "Clay as Care: Ceramic Art and Wellbeing," which explores the therapeutic and restorative benefits of working with ceramics. The show features four artists—Adebunmi Gbadebo, Jennifer Ling Datchuk, Ehren Tool, and Maia Chao—each using clay to address personal healing journeys, from fertility struggles to military trauma. The exhibition includes interactive elements like communal clay for visitors and is part of a research project in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania Center for Neuroaesthetics, Jefferson University Art Therapy Department, and Drexel University Art Psychotherapy team, collecting data on the show's impact on wellness.
A controversial 12-foot-tall statue depicting President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has returned to Washington, D.C.'s National Mall after being removed by the National Parks Service late last month. Originally titled *The Secret Handshake*, the work was created by anonymous artists to "celebrate" Trump's ties to Epstein during Friendship Month, and features plaques with a message Trump allegedly wrote to Epstein. The National Parks Service cited the statue's height as non-compliant with its permit, and the artists accused the Trump administration of suppressing free speech. The statue has since been repaired and retitled *Why Can't We Be Friends?*.
"Wir mussten schwierige Entscheidungen treffen"
Investor Andrew E. Wolff has stepped down as CEO of Artnet after orchestrating a merger of the company's US operations with Artsy, another major art market platform he recently acquired. Jeffrey Yin, previously the interim head of Artsy, has been appointed as the permanent CEO of the combined entity. The restructuring involves significant layoffs, the closure of Artnet's Berlin office, and a consolidation of management teams, though both brands will continue to operate with distinct editorial voices.
Le rapprochement entre Artnet et Artsy prend corps
Artnet and Artsy, two major online art market platforms, have announced a strategic merger under the common ownership of British investment fund Beowolff Capital. The companies will retain their distinct brands and websites but will be led by a unified management team, with Artsy's CEO Jeffrey Yin taking the helm. The consolidation has already resulted in dozens of job cuts, particularly at Artnet News, and follows a period of economic strain for Artnet, which reported a 12% revenue drop in the first half of 2025.
Artist and designer Kii Arens has opened a new gallery called Fab L.A. in the historic Fine Arts Building in Downtown Los Angeles. The space, located on West 7th Street, features Arens' vibrant concert posters and artifacts from collaborations with musicians like Elton John and Van Halen, as well as works for Disney, Coachella, and the Hollywood Bowl. The opening doubled as a fundraiser for Oxfam, with donated items from Grammy winners including Billie Eilish and Lorde sold to benefit the anti-poverty charity. Comedian Jeff Ross attended and took over DJ duties at the event.
The Chicago Bears are collaborating with UK artist Christian Jeffery and OOF Gallery to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1985 Super Bowl XX championship team. A free exhibition at OOF Gallery inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London will run from October 10-12, featuring a one-of-a-kind art piece by Jeffery, limited-edition t-shirts with his bespoke design, and appearances by former Bears defensive end Israel Idonije. The collaboration marks the Bears' continued push into the UK lifestyle market following their London game last season.
The Chicago Bears are collaborating with UK artist Christian Jeffery and OOF Gallery to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1985 Super Bowl XX championship team. A free exhibition at OOF Gallery inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London will run from October 10-12, featuring Jeffery's hand-painted artwork and limited-edition t-shirts. Former Bears defensive end Israel Idonije will make special appearances. The collaboration marks the first time an NFL team has partnered with a fine art gallery in this way.
Leon Botstein, president of Bard College since 1975, has discussed retiring and transitioning to a faculty role as a historian and musician once a successor is found, following backlash over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. According to a Times Union report, no timeline has been set, and the 79-year-old appears to have no immediate plans to leave. Botstein has held multiple meetings with students and staff since February, when details of his relationship with Epstein—including over 2,800 mentions in Epstein-related files—were revealed. He has characterized his eventual departure as a consequence of age, not the controversy, and stated that a search for a successor will begin after a law firm review of his Epstein interactions concludes by the end of May.
An anonymous artist collective known as The Secret Handshake has installed a provocative 12-foot-tall guerrilla statue in Washington, D.C., titled 'KING OF THE WORLD.' Located near the U.S. Capitol, the monument depicts Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein recreating the iconic 'Titanic' film pose, accompanied by ten banners and a plaque satirizing their historical friendship.
Bard College has initiated an independent review of President Leon Botstein’s relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein following the release of Department of Justice emails. While Botstein previously characterized the connection as purely philanthropic, the new correspondence suggests a more personal friendship, including frequent visits to Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse and a 2012 trip to Epstein’s private island. The college's board of trustees has hired the law firm WilmerHale to investigate the extent of these communications and any financial contributions.
Leon Botstein, the longtime president of Bard College, is facing scrutiny following the release of emails with Jeffrey Epstein. The correspondence, reported by the New York Times, includes a 2012 note from Botstein thanking Epstein for a Caribbean trip and expressing admiration, suggesting a more personal relationship than Botstein's previous claims of purely transactional fundraising communications.
Former French culture minister Jack Lang and his daughter, film producer Caroline Lang, have been named in newly released U.S. Department of Justice documents as having had ties with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The correspondence reveals Caroline Lang co-founded a company, Prytanee LLC, with Epstein in 2016, and that Jack Lang requested personal favors like the use of Epstein's car or plane.
A controversial statue of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, originally titled *The Secret Handshake* and later renamed *Why Can't We Be Friends?*, has reappeared in Washington, D.C., outside the Busboys and Poets Art Cafe. The anonymous artists behind the work, which depicts the two men holding hands, timed its return to coincide with the release of a new tranche of Epstein-related emails by the House Oversight Committee. The statue first debuted on the National Mall in September but was removed by the National Parks Service for exceeding size regulations, before briefly returning. The artists have now renamed it *Best Friends Forever* and included plaques alluding to a birthday message allegedly written by Trump to Epstein.
A controversial statue depicting President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has returned to Washington, D.C.'s National Mall after being removed by the National Parks Service late last month. Originally titled *The Secret Handshake*, the 12-foot-tall work was hauled away for being non-compliant with permit height regulations, during which it was damaged. The anonymous artists have since repaired the statue and retitled it *Why Can’t We Be Friends?*, reinstalling it on the National Mall. The statue includes plaques referencing a birthday note allegedly written by Trump to Epstein, which Trump has denied authoring.
A guerrilla art installation called the "Jeffrey Epstein Walk of Shame" appeared in Washington, DC's Farragut Square. It consists of sidewalk stickers resembling Hollywood stars, bearing the names and images of twenty public figures linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including Prince Andrew, Ghislaine Maxwell, Harvey Weinstein, Bill Gates, and Bill Clinton. Each sticker features a QR code linking to Department of Justice evidence or the Epstein Files.
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.
The Hammond Regional Arts Center (HRAC) has launched the 9th Marjorie Morrison Sculpture Biennial, a regional showcase curated by Jeff Mickey of Southeastern Louisiana University. The exhibition features contemporary works from eleven artists, including Maggie McConnell, Mary Elkins, and Dale Newkirk. The event opened with a dedicated members' mixer followed by a public reception, and the sculptures will remain on display through May 30.
Atelier Joliet Art Gallery in downtown Joliet is set to host a dual artist opening on April 25 featuring the works of Jeffrey Equality Brooks and Joseph Mayernik. The exhibition showcases the distinct styles of these two nationally and internationally recognized artists, who will both be in attendance for the public event. The collection is currently installed and available for viewing during the gallery's standard weekend hours.
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) is facing allegations of preemptive self-censorship to avoid conflict with the Trump administration. Former employees report that the institution removed online educational resources linking Jim Crow laws to Nazi ideology, unlisted videos discussing American racism, and renamed or cancelled workshops focused on the "fragility of democracy." While a museum spokesperson denied these claims, internal emails suggest leadership was concerned about how certain terms might be interpreted in the current political climate.
The Frist Art Museum in Nashville will present "An Indigenous Present," an exhibition spanning 100 years of modern and contemporary Indigenous art, from June 26 to September 27, 2026. Co-curated by artist Jeffrey Gibson and independent curator Jenelle Porter, the show features 15 artists who use abstraction as a tool for liberated expression, including Teresa Baker, Raven Chacon, Kimowan Metchewais, Caroline Monnet, George Morrison, Mary Sully, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, and Kay WalkingStick. Organized by the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, the exhibition draws from Gibson and Porter's landmark 2023 publication of the same title and is structured into five thematic sections that place emerging artists in dialogue with established makers.
The exhibition "Monuments," co-organized by The Brick and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA), features ten former Confederate monuments removed from public spaces across the American South. Highlights include Kara Walker's reconfigured "Unmanned Drone" (formerly Charlottesville's Stonewall Jackson monument), Richmond's toppled Jefferson Davis statue, and a graffitied Matthew Fontaine Maury statue. Co-curator Hamza Walker explains the show began after the 2015 Charleston church shooting and gained urgency following George Floyd's murder in 2020, involving complex negotiations with city governments and stewards to secure the politically charged pieces.
A new feature-length documentary titled "The Hammer" will premiere at this spring's Cannes Film Market, chronicling the five-decade career of Swiss auctioneer and art advisor Simon de Pury. Produced by Simon Wallon, who previously made a documentary on casting director Bonnie Timmermann, the film features cameos from artists Marina Abramović, Jeff Koons, Ai Weiwei, and Chloe Wise, and includes executive producer Catherine Quantschnigg. Filming took place in New York, Tokyo, London, Cannes, Miami, and Monaco between July 2023 and February 2025.
A pack of robot dogs fitted with hyper-realistic silicone heads of tech billionaires and cultural icons—including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol—is now on display at the New National Gallery in Berlin as part of the traveling interactive exhibit "Regular Animals." Created by American artist Beeple (Mike Winkelmann), the cyborg canines wander aimlessly and defecate AI-generated images in the style of the celebrity head they wear. The exhibit previously appeared in Miami and San Francisco.
Artist Beeple (Mike Winkelmann) has installed "Regular Animals" at Berlin's Neue Nationalgalerie, featuring robot dogs with hyper-realistic silicone heads of Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Beeple himself. The dogs roam the gallery and periodically "poo" printed images of their surroundings that have been transformed by artificial intelligence, with each dog's output reflecting the style of its figurehead—for example, the Picasso dog produces Cubist-style images. The work premiered at Art Basel Miami Beach 2025, where Beeple distributed the prints with certificates reading "100% organic GMO-free dog s**t" and QR codes for free NFTs.