Jazz in the Park, exhibits, events and more: THE DIGEST

A series of local cultural events in Staunton, Virginia, are announced for July and August 2025. Highlights include the unveiling of ten Black Historical Markers at Montgomery Hall Park on July 11, a solo exhibition of mosaic collages by artist Deborah O’Keeffe at the Staunton Augusta Art Center from July 11 through August 10, and the 37th annual Jazz in the Park summer concert series starting July 10 at Gypsy Hill Park. Additional events include the National Trappers Association Convention and a free healthcare clinic by Remote Area Medical.

Adelaide Botanic Garden celebrates local artist Linda Catchlove's legacy with whimsical new exhibition

A new exhibition titled “A Whimsical Life—the art of Linda Catchlove” opens at the Museum of Economic Botany in Adelaide Botanic Garden, celebrating the late South Australian artist Linda Catchlove. The show runs from May 31 to September 14 and features her botanical watercolours, Disney animations, children’s book illustrations, and personal tools, blending meticulous botanical illustration with whimsical fantasy elements inspired by her early career at Disney Studios in Sydney.

Why many Indian galleries are focusing on older artists now

A growing number of Indian galleries and institutions are shifting their focus from emerging artists to established and late-career artists. Recent examples include a Himmat Shah retrospective at KNMA, Amitava Das's solo show in New Delhi featuring works from the 1960s to 2015, and Subcontinent gallery's inaugural exhibition of Haku Shah's seven-decade career. These exhibitions are often organized in collaboration with multiple galleries, such as Shrine Empire Gallery and Art Exposure Gallery, and aim to highlight overlooked art histories.

Bachelor of Fine Arts students explore their identity through The Western Gallery

The Western Gallery at Western Washington University presents its annual BFA art showcase titled “In Good Company,” featuring works by graduating students that explore themes of identity, belonging, and vulnerability. Student artists like Alesandra Caroline, Antonio Mejia Wolf, and Matt Berry use diverse media—including sculpture, film, and interactive installations—to address personal and cultural experiences, such as Mexican American identity and queer sanctuary.

Must-Visit: Meow Wolf Grapevine Named 2025 Top Location-Based Experience in the World

Meow Wolf Grapevine's exhibition "The Real Unreal" has been named the 2025 Top Location-Based Experience in the world at the IAAPA Honors, held at Europa-Park in Germany. The award, from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, recognizes creativity and impact across the global attractions industry. Additionally, Meow Wolf Houston won Best Food & Beverage Building Renovation or New Build for its Cowboix Hevvven bar and grill, and took home two Webby Awards for its Radio Tave experience.

‘An immense void in the world of contemporary art’: Koyo Kouoh, curator of the 2026 Venice Biennale, has died, aged 57

Koyo Kouoh, the acclaimed Cameroonian-born curator who was appointed to organize the 2026 Venice Biennale, died on Saturday at a hospital in Basel, Switzerland, at age 57. Her husband confirmed she died of cancer following a recent diagnosis. Kouoh had been selected in December to become the first woman from Africa to curate the prestigious international exhibition, and the Biennale's statement mourned her loss as leaving "an immense void in the world of contemporary art."

Ukrainian art exhibitions open at five Tallinn galleries for UKUfest

On Friday, the Ukrainian Art Festival (UKUfest), Estonia's first festival dedicated to contemporary Ukrainian art, launched with new exhibitions opening simultaneously at five galleries across Tallinn: Fotografiska Tallinn, Juhan Kuus Documentary Photo Center, Temnikova & Kasela Gallery, Truus Gallery, and ArtDepoo Gallery. The exhibitions feature works by nine Ukrainian artists—Tania Ruda, Taras Bychko, Vira Minailova, Maya Kolesnik, Pavlo Mazai, Viktoria Berezina, Anton Hudo, Roman Minin, and Andrii Palval—many created specifically for the festival. Two charity auctions are planned: one on May 11 at Kadriorg Art Museum hosted by the Kozytskyi Charity Foundation, with proceeds split between artists and medical transport for Ukraine; and another on May 13 at Noblessner Foundry, with all proceeds going directly to artists. Additional works are available for purchase via the Osta.ee platform. The festival runs through June 30.

The Pressure to Mean Something: Inside the VCUarts’ MFA Exhibition

The article covers the MFA exhibition at VCUarts, showcasing the work of graduate students in the visual arts program. It highlights the pressure on emerging artists to imbue their work with meaning and the diverse approaches taken by the exhibitors.

A guide to Bay View Gallery Night 2025

The 14th annual Bay View Gallery Night will take place on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood. The free, community-focused event features over 60 participating sites including galleries, breweries, restaurants, and shops, showcasing local artists, musicians, and makers. Highlights include live painting, tattoo art, virtual reality art, pet-friendly activities, and a complimentary shuttle service between key venues like Lincoln Warehouse and Hide House.

How Much Art Is Too Much? A Guide to the New York Fairs.

New York City is hosting a wave of art fairs this week, featuring Latin American galleries, world-class photography, and upcycled design. The article highlights seven fairs worth visiting among many, offering a guide to navigate the crowded event landscape.

The Korean Artist Park Daesung Is In the Spotlight at 81

The Korean artist Park Daesung, now nearly 81 years old, is experiencing a surge of international attention. His works have recently been featured in exhibitions across major cities including Chicago, London, Washington, and Los Angeles, and are now set to be shown at TEFAF New York.

The Venice Biennale and Its Many Flashpoints: An Explainer

The Venice Biennale, often described as the Olympics of the art world, is set to begin previews on Tuesday amid several controversies. Key flashpoints include the sudden death of a curator, Russia's surprise participation despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, and an unconventional entry from the United States. These developments have intensified scrutiny and debate around the prestigious international exhibition.

The Audacity of Art at the Obama Presidential Center

Barack and Michelle Obama commissioned 30 artists to create site-specific works for the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago's South Side, which begins visitor previews next week. The commissioned artworks span multiple media and will be integrated throughout the campus, reflecting the Obamas' commitment to public art and community engagement.

Console Tables That Fit In Anywhere

The article highlights a trend in contemporary furniture design, focusing on console tables that blend sculptural aesthetics with functional design. These pieces are characterized by their use of mixed materials and artistic lines, positioning them as versatile objects suitable for diverse interior spaces.

Met gala guests deliver works of art on the human form

The article reports on the 2025 Met Gala, where celebrity guests showcased elaborate, art-inspired fashion on the red carpet. The event, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, featured designs that transformed the human body into living canvases, with many looks referencing the evening's exhibition theme.

If You're Wondering Where to Go With Kids... Experiential Events at Museums and Art Galleries Nationwide

The Korean Museum Association, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the ICOM Korea Committee, is hosting "2026 Museum and Art Gallery Week" throughout May to commemorate International Museum Day on May 18. The event features 16 special exhibitions and experiential programs from 18 institutions nationwide, organized under three main themes: "Museum×Enjoy," "Museum×Stroll," and "Museum×Meet." Participating venues include Kyo-dong Art Museum, Gyeonggi Provincial Children's Museum, Savina Museum of Contemporary Art, and others, offering hands-on activities, educational content, and community-based programs for children and families.

Hannan Center art festival celebrates 100 years of ‘life, even when you mature’

The Hannan Center in Detroit has opened its 2025 Emerge! Art Festival, a juried exhibition featuring 98 artists aged 55 and older and 175 artworks in various media, including sculptures, pottery, and fiber art. The festival runs through January 14 at the Ellen Kayrod Gallery and coincides with the center's 100th anniversary, celebrated under the theme “100 Years Unbound: The Power of Aging.” The center also opened a historical exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum and will host its 70 Over Seventy Awards honoring community contributors aged 70 and older.

BASE cultural center in Milan turns 10: the full program for the big celebrations

Il centro culturale BASE di Milano compie 10 anni: tutto il programma per i grandi festeggiamenti

BASE, the cultural center in Milan's former Ansaldo industrial complex, celebrates its 10th anniversary on May 23, 2025, with a 16-hour event called FIESTAS. The program runs from noon to 5 a.m. and includes performances, workshops, concerts, installations, and shared practices by artists such as MOMBAO, Stalker Teatro, Klaus, Francesca Grilli, Nazario Graziano, Michele Rizzo, and many others. The event also launches BASE's first summer season, keeping the center open throughout the summer months.

Urban art and music unite Amsterdam and Milan for three days

L’arte urbana e la musica uniscono Amsterdam e Milano per tre giorni

MUROMi, an independent Milan-based company, is launching a special Milan edition of Here&Now, a cultural event originally created in Amsterdam by Tony Ant and Chinny Bond. Taking place May 21–23, 2026, at Spazio Diaz in Milan, the event combines live painting, music, and contemporary urban art, aiming to bring together creatives, brands, and key figures from the Milanese scene. The project is born from a collaboration between MUROMi and the Here&Now community, which is rooted in international street culture and music.

A Roma il popolare quartiere Quadraro ospita un festival d’arte diffuso. Il programma

The IPER Festival delle periferie returns to Rome's Quadraro neighborhood for its fifth edition, titled "Super Lieux (Super luoghi) Periferie. Storie e geografie." Running until May 31, the festival features conferences, roundtables, study days, talks, exhibitions, and performances. A highlight is "Überlagerungen," a diffuse art review curated by Spazio Y that animates the Quadraro Vecchio district on May 16 with actions, installations, and shows from 4 PM to 11 PM. Participating venues include Spazio Kina, vineria Moggio, and osteria Grandma, with works by artists such as Lucia Bricco, Giulio Cassanelli, Felice Levini, and many others.

"Our regime does not represent our culture". Interview on the Belarusian project during the Venice Biennale

“Il nostro regime non rappresenta la nostra cultura”. Intervista sul progetto bielorusso durante la Biennale di Venezia

The article is an interview with Daniella Kaliada, curator of the Belarusian project "Official. Unofficial." presented at the Venice Biennale in the church of San Giovanni Evangelista. Organized by the Belarus Free Theatre, an independent underground group, the exhibition features site-specific paintings by Sergey Grinevich, a sound installation by Olga Podgayskaya, and large-scale sculptures by Vladimir Tsesler. The project includes a sphere of banned books crushed by a bulldozer, testimonies of recently released political prisoners, and sculptures made from prison bars, all addressing censorship and political trauma without direct representation of suffering.

The Dutch Pavilion at the Venice Biennale is a political protest (also against the Biennale itself)

Il padiglione dei Paesi Bassi alla Biennale di Venezia è una contestazione politica (anche della Biennale stessa)

The Dutch Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale, titled "The Fortress" by artist Dries Verhoeven and curator Rieke Vos, transforms the modernist Rietveld Pavilion into a fortress-like enclosure. Inside, a rotating group of thirteen international performers will stage a series of performances throughout the Biennale, focusing on themes of geopolitical uncertainty, social disorder, and the search for stability in an unbalanced world. This marks the first time the Netherlands has used the Rietveld Pavilion for a performance-based project.

New dates, new venue, and a new theme: Here is what the Moncalieri emerging photography festival will look like

Nuove date, nuova sede e nuovo tema. Ecco come sarà il festival di fotografia emergente di Moncalieri

Liquida Photofestival has announced the details for its fifth edition, scheduled to take place from April 17 to 19, 2026. The independent festival dedicated to emerging contemporary photography is moving to a new venue at the Real Collegio Carlo Alberto in Moncalieri, near Turin. Under the artistic direction of Laura Tota, the upcoming edition will center on the theme "Learning and Unlearning – (re)writing the rules," featuring a program of exhibitions, talks, and publishing events built primarily through open calls.

Art of resistance: Immigrant children share pain and strength in Tucson exhibit

An exhibition titled "Arte de la Resistencia" (Art of Resistance) was held from May 13 to May 17 at Free Associates gallery in Tucson, Arizona. Curated by a psychologist who uses the pseudonym Rosa for safety reasons, the show featured artwork created by immigrant children aged 7 to 19, many of whom are affected by deportation, family separation, and ICE enforcement. The pieces, including works like "Adiós Tucson" and "Silencio," express pain, grief, and resilience, with identities kept anonymous to protect the young artists. Proceeds from sales of original works and prints directly benefit the children's families.

Plas Art Show goes back to basics with renewed focus on its sculpture, 3-D work

The Plas Art Show, a Seoul-based art fair specializing in sculpture and three-dimensional works, returns for its 11th edition from June 4 at Coex in Gangnam District. Featuring 102 galleries (91 domestic and 11 from Taiwan, Germany, Japan, and Georgia), the fair presents roughly 750 artists and 3,500 works under the theme “New Chance.” Fair president Shin Jun-won acknowledged criticism that the event had drifted from its sculptural focus and announced stricter curation, including on-site inspections and penalties for galleries that fail to include at least one three-dimensional artist and one stereoscopic work. Standard booth prices range from 5.7 to 6.7 million won, which Shin says attracts Gangnam-area galleries priced out of larger venues.

No Regrets: Artists Decide To Sell Buffalo’s Legendary Hitching Post Gallery

Father-and-son artists William and Hugh Jennings have closed the Hitching Post Gallery in Buffalo, Wyoming, after 30 years of operation. The gallery, which opened in November 1993 on Main Street, was a longstanding fixture in the community, showcasing works from many area artists alongside gifts, books, and tobacco products. William stepped away about seven years ago, and Hugh recently decided to retire, locking the doors for the last time at the beginning of May. Hugh expressed no regrets, saying he wanted to focus more on his own art.

Abbeydale Road art space opens with exhibition celebrating local talent

A new independent art space called The Shop has opened on Abbeydale Road in Sheffield, England, with a debut group exhibition titled Bee Sting Cake featuring 19 South Yorkshire artists. The venue, founded by Sheffield artist Nick Grindrod, combines a studio and exhibition space in a former retail unit. Grindrod, who turned fully to painting during the pandemic and gained traction through the Artist Support Pledge initiative on Instagram, curated the show alongside artists Sean Williams and Kate Jacob. The exhibition runs from 14–28 May 2026, and the space aims to offer original artworks for sale in a relaxed, accessible setting.

Art House Gallery Will Present PLAYING FAVORITES, a Solo Exhibition by Bryant Small

Art House Gallery in Jersey City will present "Playing Favorites," a solo exhibition by artist Bryant Small, curated by Andrea McKenna, from May 2 to May 31, 2026. The show features a selection of Small's most cherished works, many never publicly exhibited before, highlighting his use of alcohol ink on Yupo paper to create luminous, fluid abstract compositions. An opening reception is set for May 2, and an artist talk on April 17.

Block Gallery

The article announces the opening of the Block Gallery, a new contemporary art exhibition space located in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. The gallery is a city-run initiative designed to showcase rotating exhibitions of work by local, regional, and national artists, with a focus on emerging and underrepresented voices.

What’s new at Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk this February

Springfield's February First Friday Art Walk is set to feature a diverse lineup of exhibitions and events across multiple downtown venues. Highlights include the Annual Foundations Exhibition at Brick City Gallery showcasing Missouri State University student work, a photography exhibition on English medieval architecture by Tom Russo at Drury Pool Arts Gallery, and a fifth-anniversary celebration for the artist collective Formed. Other participating locations include Hotel Vandivort, Obelisk Home, The Creamery Arts Center, and the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center, which will host a 40-year ceramic art retrospective by Keith Ekstam.