Johns Creek art exhibit finds inspiration in trash

The Arts Center at Johns Creek, Georgia, is hosting 'Upcycled: Reclaimed and Reimagined,' an exhibition running through May 16 that features artworks made from discarded objects. Curator Althea Foster organized the show to coincide with Earth Day, highlighting pieces such as Tracy Douchy's bulldog sculpture 'Watchdog' (made from old wrist watches) and Mary Jablonski's 'Grizzly Watching' (constructed from repurposed paper). The exhibit has drawn double the usual foot traffic from local residents.

Res Publica Verlag Seeks Project Manager or Print Production Editor

Res Publica Verlag sucht Projektmanager:in oder Chef vom Dienst Print

Res Publica Verlag, an independent publisher based in Berlin, is hiring a project manager or print production editor for its magazines Cicero and Monopol, as well as special publications. The role involves managing editorial workflows, asset management systems, ad coordination, and serving as a liaison between the publishing house and editorial teams. The position is for 30 hours per week, starting August 1, 2026, with an optional onboarding from July 1, 2026.

NRW will Verbot für Handel mit Holocaust-Dokumenten

The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is introducing a legislative bill to ban the commercial trade of personal Holocaust documents and artifacts, such as letters from concentration camps, Gestapo cards, and yellow stars. The initiative follows international outrage over a planned auction in Neuss in November 2025, which was halted at the last moment; around 460 objects from that auction were transferred to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation. The bill, to be presented at the Bundesrat session on May 8, aims to prohibit the sale of items directly linked to Nazi victims, while exempting museums, archives, and research institutions.

Aristophil : Gérard Lhéritier reconnaît sa culpabilité et obtient une peine réduite

Gérard Lhéritier, founder of the art investment firm Aristophil, has pleaded guilty in a French court under a procedure known as comparution sur reconnaissance préalable de culpabilité (CRPC), effectively a plea bargain. On April 14, he admitted responsibility for fraud and deceptive commercial practices after more than a decade of denial. This late admission, made just before his expected incarceration, reduces his sentence from the five years of imprisonment handed down in December 2025 to two years under electronic monitoring. The case stems from Aristophil’s collapse, which involved selling shares in manuscripts and historical documents as attractive investments, leaving thousands of investors heavily impacted.

Spain: Oriol Vilanova and the Abolition of the Museum and the Archive

ESPANA ORIOL VILANOVA Y LA ABOLICION DEL MUSEO Y EL ARCHIVO

The Spanish Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale presents "Los restos," a project by Catalan artist Oriol Vilanova, curated by Carles Guerra. The installation transforms the pavilion into an anti-museum or pseudo-museum, featuring over twenty years of postcards collected from flea markets, arranged in a wall-based accumulation that challenges linear narrative and archival hierarchy. The project also includes a publication and a performative action titled "El fantasma de la libertad" (2026), inspired by Luis Buñuel, which will take place across the Giardini and Arsenale through unannounced encounters.

SPAIN ORIOL VILANOVA AND THE ABOLITION OF THE MUSEUM AND THE ARCHIVE

The Spanish Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale presents "Los restos," a project by Catalan artist Oriol Vilanova, curated by Carles Guerra. The installation transforms the pavilion into an anti-museum or pseudo-museum, featuring Vilanova's collection of postcards sourced from flea markets over more than twenty years. The work critiques traditional archival systems through accumulation, repetition, and fragmentation, and includes a publication and a performative action titled "El fantasma de la libertad" (2026), inspired by Luis Buñuel, which will take place across the Giardini and Arsenale.

MARGARET WHYTE TURNS FRAGILITY INTO LANGUAGE AT THE 2026 VENICE BIENNALE

The Uruguay Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale presents "ANTIFRAGIL," a new installation by artist Margaret Whyte, curated by Patricia Bentancur. The work combines textiles with obsolete technological objects such as old machines, motorcycle helmets, and waste fragments, embodying the concept of antifragility developed by Nassim Taleb—systems that grow stronger through disorder and instability. Whyte's practice transforms fragility and vulnerability into poetic resistance, challenging traditional hierarchies between craft and contemporary art.

These colors will enchant you. An exhibition of Niehliubka weavers opened at the Art Museum

On May 7, the National Art Museum of Belarus opened the exhibition "Harmony of the World of Niehliubka Weavers," showcasing traditional weaving from the village of Niehliubka in the Vetka District. The display features about 50 textile works from the museum's collection, along with tools, rare costume elements, and photographs provided by the Belarusian State Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life and the Vetka Museum of Old Believer and Belarusian Traditions named after Shklyarau. This tradition, which originated in the 17th century, includes towels, clothing, and interior items made with original weaving and embroidery techniques.

Art Beyond the Canvas: 'Anyflatsurface' opens in Callander on Saturday

The Alex Dufresne Gallery in Callander, Ontario, is presenting 'Anyflatsurface', a solo exhibition by self-taught Northern Ontario visual artist Joyce Effinger, opening on May 9, 2026. The show features paintings on both traditional canvas and unconventional materials such as paddles, saws, rocks, cloth, and found objects, transforming everyday items into vibrant celebrations of color and place.

Old Town Arts & Crafts Guild Presents Art at Dart’s

The Old Town Arts & Crafts Guild, a nonprofit organization, is hosting an Artist's Showcase at Dart's Barn in Southold, New York, on May 2nd and 3rd from 9 AM to 4 PM. The event will feature fine art, photography, handcrafted items, and works by Carolyn M. Bell and the Peconic Impressionists, with free admission and light refreshments.

North Carolina Museum of Art Winston-Salem will soon open new downtown gallery

The North Carolina Museum of Art Winston-Salem, formerly known as SECCA, will open a new downtown gallery on 4th Street this summer while renovations continue at its permanent location in Buena Vista. The space, located near where the museum first opened as an artist-run gallery 70 years ago, will host outdoor concerts, vinyl nights, and exhibitions. The inaugural show, titled "Unboxed," features works from 13 North Carolina artists who participated in the museum's Portable Gallery program, which commissions contemporary art for local school systems. The gallery opens July 16th.

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.

No, the closed Museum of Comics in Milan has not found a new home in Brianza

No, il Museo del Fumetto chiuso a Milano non ha trovato la nuova sede in Brianza

The Museum of Comics (Museo del Fumetto) in Milan, which suspended operations in June 2025 due to a €180,000 debt to the city, has not found a permanent new home despite online rumors. Instead, the Fondazione Franco Fossati, which runs the museum, has secured temporary storage for its archive in Desio (Monza-Brianza) for up to two years, using spaces granted free of charge by the local municipality. The archive—containing over 500,000 items including publications, original boards, and memorabilia—will be cataloged and preserved there, but the museum itself remains closed to the public.

Keokuk School District to open art gallery

The Keokuk Community School District in Iowa plans to open a new art gallery in fall 2026, featuring student work and organized by the Keokuk High School Art Department. The gallery will be located in the same building as the Collaboration Center in the district's new central office at 420 N. 17th St. in Keokuk. To fund display items such as frames, pedestals, and presentation equipment, the Art Department is hosting a fundraiser with sponsorship levels ranging from $250 to over $1,000, offering recognition opportunities for donors.

First Friday Art Walk set this weekend in Sequim

The First Friday Art Walk in Sequim, Washington, will take place this weekend from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring an aqua-themed self-guided tour of downtown venues. Highlights include a reception for "May Flowers" at Blue Whole Gallery with works by Jolene Sanborn and Rick George, a fiber arts exhibit at Sequim Museum & Arts, and new works at A. Milligan Art Studio and Gallery by Lyn Conlan and Anne Pfeiffer, along with live music and local artisan offerings at multiple participating businesses.

Japan Crown Prince, Crown Princess Visit Belgian Exhibition

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visited a special exhibition at Kokugakuin University Museum in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, celebrating the 160th anniversary of Japan-Belgium diplomatic relations. The exhibition, opening May 23, 2026, features about 40 items from the Royal Museums of Art and History in Belgium, including a flower vase donated by Emperor Meiji and diplomatic documents. The royal couple viewed the exhibits while listening to explanations from a Belgian researcher.

Hwaseung, a representative company in Busan, will participate as an official partner of Art Busan.Hw..

Hwaseung, a major company based in Busan, has announced its participation as an official partner of Art Busan 2026, an art fair held at BEXCO Exhibition Hall 1 from May 22 to 24. The company will debut "Gallery Hwaseung One," a platform showcasing works by young artists with developmental disabilities, including Hwang Sung-je, Yoon Jin-seok, and Shim Seung-bo—artists hired by Hwaseung. The gallery aims to support these artists and continue social contribution activities in culture and arts.

Gallery Opening: Art Youth Expo 15 | Hazleton, PA | NEPA Events

The Hazleton Art League in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, will host the Gallery Opening for Art Youth Expo 15 on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This annual arts competition showcases work from local emerging artists aged 13 to 30, offering them a platform to display their creativity and gain community recognition. The opening reception includes light refreshments and is free to attend.

Gloria Sharp’s ‘A Lifetime of Color’ Batik Exhibit At Step Up Gallery Runs Through June 10

Step Up Gallery in Los Alamos is hosting 'A Lifetime of Color', a retrospective of batik artworks by artist Gloria Sharp. The exhibition opened on May 16 with a reception attended by longtime friends, former co-workers, and fellow artists. It marks Sharp's first large solo show spanning several decades of her career and runs through June 10 at the gallery located on the upper level of Mesa Public Library.

Art from everyday items takes center stage in Kingston show

An exhibition in Kingston, New York, titled 'Art from everyday items takes center stage,' showcases artworks created from ordinary, found objects. The show features pieces made from household materials, repurposed goods, and common items, challenging traditional notions of what belongs in a gallery space. Curated to feel accessible and relatable, the exhibition aims to break down barriers between art and daily life.

23rd Annual Student Art Show Celebrates Students’ Connection to the Santa Barbara Channel

On May 7, the community gathered at Jodi House Gallery for a reception and awards ceremony hosted by Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, celebrating the 23rd Annual Student Art Show. High school students from Carpinteria to Goleta submitted 120 pieces interpreting the Santa Barbara Channel, with 50 selected for the show. Awards were juried by Meagan Stirling, Associate Professor of Art at Westmont College. First place went to Aricin Marshall for his ceramic sculpture *Tide Bound – Hollister Ranch*, second to Josefa Olivio for *Channel Islands Fox*, and third to Jocabed Carranza for *After the Tide*. The Environmental Ethic Award was given to Maria Rojo for *Insufferable Freedom*, and the Juror’s Choice Award to Madeline Adler for *Sea Life vs. Pollution: The Ongoing Battle*. Honorable mentions included Sophia Lam, Alejandro Miranda, and Camila Sandoval.

Hoelscher to exhibit art at Kalmanson Gallery

Jason Hoelscher, Gallery Director and Professor of Art at Georgia Southern University, will exhibit his work at The Kalmanson Gallery of Emanuel Arts Council in Swainsboro, Georgia, from May to June. An opening reception is scheduled for May 21, 5–7 p.m., free and open to the public. Hoelscher is a painter, writer, and professor with a PhD in aesthetic philosophy, an MFA from Pratt Institute, and extensive exhibition history across the U.S. and internationally, including airports and museums. He has also written for ARTnews and The Wall Street Journal, and authored the book "Art as Information Ecology" (Duke University Press, 2021).

Brooklyn artists exhibit at local museum

The Museum of Contemporary Art Long Island is hosting its occasional series “Art from the Hive” through May 10 at its Terry Street gallery. The inaugural exhibition, titled “Occupying…”, features work by Brooklyn artists who discuss their creative inspirations and muses.

The Foreign Ministry presented art prints of stolen paintings from the Kherson Art Museum

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has opened an exhibition titled "Return of Kherson’s Memory. Stolen Art Preserved in Museum Artprints," featuring 30 high-quality reproductions of masterpieces stolen by Russian forces from the Kherson Regional Art Museum named after Oleksii Shovkunenko in autumn 2022. The stolen works include pieces by artists Mykola Pymonenko, Ivan Aivazovsky, and Viktor Zaretsky, among over 10,000 items illegally removed from the museum just before Kherson’s de-occupation. The exhibition was organized by the museum team and the art platform Vivid Fusion.

Northumberland artists take centre stage in new Amble exhibition

Dovecote Street Arts in Amble, Northumberland, is launching a new exhibition titled 'Amble, Northumberland, England' featuring nearly 70 works by 47 local artists selected through an open call. The show includes sculptor-painter duo Geoffrey and Sarah Bradford and award-winning painter Katherine Rousselange, and is supported by a £400 grant from the Alnmouth Arts Festival. The exhibition opens to the public on May 23, coinciding with the Amble Puffin Festival, and runs through June 7 at the Dovecote Centre.

Pewter from the middle ages to art nouveau

Berlin's Kunstgewerbemuseum presents a special exhibition at Schloss Köpenick titled "Pewter from the Middle Ages to Art Nouveau," featuring around 100 works that trace the evolution of pewter from sacred and ceremonial objects to everyday items. The exhibition highlights the material's sophisticated use in furniture-making, including pieces by 17th-century cabinetmaker Johann Daniel Sommer, who combined pewter with tortoiseshell and horn using boulle technique.

New Austin museum exhibit tells stories of 27 festivals across Texas

The Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin has opened a new exhibition called "Texas Festivals," running through September 27. The show features artifacts from 27 festivals across the state, including a gown from Fiesta San Antonio, a sand sculpture from Sandfest in Port Aransas, an art car honoring Stevie Ray Vaughan from Houston's Art Car Parade, and mascots from the Texas Onion Fest, Hogeye Festival, and Texas State Forest Festival. The exhibition is divided into three sections exploring how festivals create community, and includes a short documentary, interactive activities, and a talk with historian Dr. Michaele Thurgood Haynes on May 3.

Open studios at Père-Lachaise: a Parisian stroll to meet the artists

The 20th arrondissement of Paris will host the Open Studios at Père-Lachaise from May 8 to 11, 2026, organized by the association Ateliers du Père-Lachaise Associés (APLA). Approximately 30 local painters, sculptors, engravers, photographers, and other artists will open 15 studios to the public, offering free tours through the streets, courtyards, and passageways between Père-Lachaise Cemetery and Place de la Réunion. Visitors can meet artists, see works in progress, and purchase original pieces.

Whimsy Art Exhibitions

The House of Creatures exhibition at Milan Design Week 2026 presents a collection of sculptural works designed to represent hybrid beings through material and form. The show brings together designers who interpret creatures as symbolic figures, translating mythology and emotion into physical pieces across furniture, lighting, and collectible formats. Each work is positioned as an individual presence within a gallery setting, forming a sequence of distinct forms rather than a single unified installation, with materials including ceramics, textiles, and metal constructions.

Robert Zhao Renhui: After Control @ Kyoto City University of Arts Gallery @KCUA

ロバート・ザオ・レンフイ「アフター・コントロール」@ 京都市立芸術大学ギャラリー@KCUA

The Kyoto City University of Arts Gallery @KCUA is hosting a solo exhibition by Singaporean artist Robert Zhao Renhui titled "After Control" (アフター・コントロール), running from May 16 to July 12, 2026. The exhibition presents works from Zhao's long-term projects on Christmas Island, Singapore, Tokyo, Hampi (India), and Phuket (Thailand), exploring environments shaped by human intervention and the complex interplay between nature and artificiality. Zhao, known for his participation in major international exhibitions including the Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025, the 60th Venice Biennale (2024), and the Gwangju Biennale (2023), uses photography, video, and installation to critically examine how ecosystems transform under human control.