Becoming Midwest: Mother and daughter artist pair mount museum collaboration

Watercolor artist Judy Thompson and her daughter, poet Kristin Gifford, have launched a collaborative exhibition titled “Becoming Midwest: Life Between” at the Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center in Sioux Falls. The show features 27 artworks and 12 poems that explore shared themes of motherhood, the natural landscape of the Great Plains, and the complexities of regional identity. The project marks the first formal partnership between the pair, blending Thompson’s established watercolor practice with Gifford’s contemporary poetry.

Zurich: Peripheral Presence. by Tibor Bielicky and Ellena Ehrl

Zurich’s urban landscape is defined by functionalist structures from the 1990s and early 2000s that serve as the 'understated backdrop' to daily life. These buildings, including the Signal Box by Gigon Guyer and the Telecap 2000 by Hans Ulrich Imesch, act as navigational markers at the city’s geographic choke points. Despite their significance in shaping the city's rhythm and internal choreography, many of these structures are now reaching the end of their first lifecycle and face the threat of demolition due to real estate speculation.

Special Exhibition "The Tree of the Collection, the 36th Spring: Focusing on New Acquisitions" @ Ashiya City Museum of Art & History

企画展「コレクションの樹、36年目の春 ―新収蔵品を中心に」@ 芦屋市立美術博物館

The Ashiya City Museum of Art & History is launching a special exhibition titled "The Tree of the Collection, the 36th Spring: Focusing on New Acquisitions" to celebrate its 36th anniversary. The exhibition showcases approximately 100 works, including paintings, prints, sculptures, and video art, highlighting pieces acquired since the beginning of the Reiwa era (2019) alongside the museum's founding collection. Featured artists include modern Western-style painter Narashige Koide, members of the Gutai Art Association such as Atsuko Tanaka and Jiro Yoshihara, and contemporary figures like Keiji Uematsu and Yukinori Yamamura.

Gold Romanian Helmet Recovered After Explosive Heist at Dutch Museum

Dutch police have recovered a 2,500-year-old gold Dacian helmet and two of three gold bracelets stolen in a 2025 museum heist. The artifacts were returned as part of a plea deal with suspects, who were offered reduced sentences and a cash enticement to reveal their location.

Call for Entries Open for 56th National Juried Artists Exhibition

The St. Tammany Art Association (STAA) has launched its call for entries for the 56th National Juried Artists Exhibition, titled "The Summer Show." Open to artists across the United States, the competition offers $3,500 in total cash prizes, including a $2,000 Best of Show award. The exhibition will run from July 11 to September 12, 2026, at the STAA Art House in Covington, Louisiana, with New Orleans-based ceramicist and educator MaPó Kinnord serving as the guest juror.

Kennedy Center Board Votes to Close for 2-Year Renovation Project

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts board has approved a plan to close the institution for a two-year, comprehensive renovation project. The decision follows public criticism from former President Donald Trump regarding the center's physical state and past financial management.

In China, the Margiela Show is Staged Inside a Series of Containers

In Cina la sfilata di Margiela è allestita dentro una serie di container

Maison Margiela has launched a major traveling exhibition in China titled "Artisanal: Our Creative Laboratory," debuting in Shanghai before moving to Chengdu. Designed by OMA/AMO, the open-air showcase features over forty couture creations from the Artisanal line dating back to 1989, uniquely displayed within weathered shipping containers. The project aims to demystify the fashion house's secretive creative process, highlighting the techniques of deconstruction and manipulation that define the brand's aesthetic.

US Government Submits Plans for Triumphal Arch to Commission

US-Regierung reicht Plan für Triumphbogen bei Kommission ein

President Donald Trump has submitted formal plans to the Commission of Fine Arts for a monumental triumphal arch to be located near Washington, D.C. Proposed to stand at 76 meters tall, the structure would significantly surpass the height of Paris's Arc de Triomphe. The project, which Trump describes as the "largest and most beautiful" in the world, is slated for a site near the Arlington Memorial Bridge leading to the Lincoln Memorial.

‘Washwasha’ (Whispers Across Water): Sonic Cartographies of the UAE at the Venice Biennale.

The National Pavilion UAE has announced its upcoming exhibition for the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026, titled ‘Washwasha’ (Whispers Across Water). Curated by Bana Kattan with assistant curator Tala Nassar, the presentation features six artists: Mays Albaik, Jawad Al Malhi, Farah Al Qasimi, Alaa Edris, Lamya Gargash, and Taus Makhacheva. The exhibition moves away from traditional visual spectacle to focus on sound, oral traditions, and 'sonic cartographies' that explore memory, migration, and the fluid identity of the UAE through an architectural environment designed by Büro Koray Duman Architects.

Diane Victor at Académie des Beaux-Arts.

South African artist Diane Victor has been awarded the 10th Mario Avati Engraving Prize 2025 by the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris. Her work is currently the subject of an exhibition at the Académie des Beaux-Arts, which runs until May 31, 2026.

“Jamea Richmond-Edwards: Another World and Yet the Same” at Hamilton College’s Wellin Museum of Art

The Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art at Hamilton College is hosting "Jamea Richmond-Edwards: Another World and Yet the Same," a major solo exhibition featuring the work of the Detroit-born artist. The show highlights Richmond-Edwards’ signature large-scale collages and immersive installations that blend fashion, mythology, and personal history to explore Black Americana and Afro-futurism.

Whitefield Art Collective celebrates ninth edition of its annual festival

The Whitefield Art Collective has launched its ninth annual edition in Bengaluru, transforming the VR Bengaluru mall into a sprawling public art gallery. This year's festival, themed around 'Sustain,' features over 100 artworks including sculptures, paintings, and installations created by both established artists and students from prestigious institutions like the Government College of Fine Arts and the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. The event includes a diverse program of photography workshops, live painting, and musical performances, anchored by a signature 'Wearable Art' fashion show.

Arts & Science Center hosting artwork by instructor at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas is hosting the exhibition 'Blaque' by University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff art instructor Jonathan Rashad Wright as a highlight of its 2026 Black History Month programming. The exhibition, on display through July 3, explores themes of identity, heritage, grief, and resilience within the African diaspora through Wright's innovative blend of traditional printmaking and modern technology, using black ink on black paper to create layered, introspective works.

Mint Museum exhibit reimagines feminine form as art

The Mint Museum Uptown is set to debut "Mint to Be: The Feminine Body as Costume Art" on May 1, an exhibition that explores the feminine form through the lens of fashion and identity. Curated by Professor Perrine DeShield-Jenkins, the showcase serves as a Met Gala–inspired experience featuring interactive narratives, photo activations, and a high-stakes runway competition where 20 Charlotte-based designers will vie for a $1,000 prize for couture that best reimagines the body as a living canvas.

The week around the world in 20 pictures

The Guardian's weekly photo feature presents 20 images capturing global events from March 2026. The selection documents intense conflict in the Middle East, including Israeli military actions in the West Bank and Lebanon, attacks on energy infrastructure in the UAE, and violent clashes with worshippers in Jerusalem during Ramadan. It also shows scenes from a blackout in Havana and the Oscars ceremony.

Jean-Gabriel Peyre (1941-2026)

Jean-Gabriel Peyre (1941-2026)

Jean-Gabriel Peyre, a distinguished French art dealer and expert in antique ceramics, passed away on March 27 at the age of 85. Originally a fashion professional who worked for Jacques Esterel, Peyre transitioned to the art world in the late 1960s, establishing himself as a preeminent specialist in European ceramics from the 16th to 18th centuries. Based in Paris and later Aix-en-Provence, he was particularly renowned for his expertise in French faience and his significant personal collection of Apt ceramics.

Looking for art, culture? See the latest Central Illinois exhibits

Central Illinois is hosting a diverse array of art and cultural exhibitions across several key institutions and galleries this spring. Highlights include the "Art on the Offense" group show at the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, the "Lights, Camera, Fashion!" exhibition featuring the Lois Jett Historical Fashion Collection, and multiple annual student showcases at University Galleries and Merwin & Wakeley Galleries. Local spaces like the McLean County Arts Center and Eaton Studio Gallery are also actively engaging the community through regional artist spotlights and educational outreach for local students.

Debra Wick’s raindrop art on display in Redlands

Artist Debra Wick is presenting a new series of hyper-realistic watercolor paintings focused on the intricate physics of raindrops at the Redlands Art Association. The exhibition, running from April 18 to May 15, showcases Wick’s unique self-taught technique involving masking fluid and layered washes to capture atmospheric reflections, alongside her earlier works and functional art pieces like painted umbrellas and pillows.

“Rooted” art exhibit explores the nature of trees with paint, camera, and heart

The Arts Garage (TAG) in Port Clinton has launched "Rooted," a group exhibition featuring six artists who explore the intersection of nature and human emotion. The show highlights the work of mixed-media artist Chad Cochran, known for his landscape-based album covers for Nashville musicians, and Susan Danko, whose abstract paintings translate the atmospheric moods of the forest into monochromatic and experimental forms.

Santa Fe College Student Juried Art Exhibition on tap for Friday

Santa Fe College is set to launch its annual Student Juried Art Exhibition this Friday, April 17, at the college’s Art Gallery in Gainesville. The showcase features between 70 and 100 selected works across various mediums, including painting, photography, and ceramics, culled from over 300 student submissions. Guest juror Carly Shooster from the Sequential Artists’ Workshop will select the top prize winners, who will receive cash awards during the opening reception.

Museum of the African Diaspora Marks 10 Years of Its Emerging Artists Program

The Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) in San Francisco is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Emerging Artists Program (EAP) by announcing its 2026-2027 cohort. Selected from hundreds of applicants, Bay Area artists Jasmine Ross, Demetri Broxton, Dorian Reid, and Tahirah Rasheed will each receive a fully supported solo exhibition at the museum. The program, which has supported 30 artists since 2015, provides crucial institutional backing, including curatorial guidance and production resources, to creatives at pivotal career moments.

Metro Detroit billboards feature pop art in 'open air museum'

International Outdoor, a Farmington Hills-based advertising firm, has launched an "open-air museum" across Metro Detroit featuring the work of French pop-street artist Jisbar. The initiative utilizes over 57 billboards and digital panels across three counties, displaying vibrant mashups of art history icons like the Mona Lisa with pop culture figures such as Bart Simpson and SpongeBob SquarePants. The exhibition, which runs through mid-June 2026, aims to transform the regional landscape into a public gallery accessible to commuters.

Still We Rise: Art Behind the Walls Exhibit at Fort Frederik Museum

The Fort Frederik Museum in St. Croix has unveiled "Still We Rise: Art Behind the Walls," an exhibition showcasing original works created by incarcerated individuals at the John A. Bell Correctional Facility. The collection features a variety of media, most notably locally sourced calabash gourds that have been transformed into intricate cultural vessels. Developed through a volunteer-led art and literacy program, the show highlights the personal narratives and creative growth of participants who used the project as a vehicle for self-reflection.

ACLU and anti-censorship group target UNT over art exhibit removal with mobile billboard

The ACLU of Texas and the National Coalition Against Censorship have deployed a mobile billboard to the University of North Texas (UNT) campus to protest the administration's removal of an art exhibition by Victor Quiñonez, known as Marka27. The show, titled “Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá,” was abruptly taken down in February after being open for only a week, with administrators later citing concerns that the artist's critiques of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could cause campus disruptions.

In Paris, this exhibition invites you to engage in a dialogue with paintings.

Artist Aurore Guez is transforming the Wilde Galerie in Paris into an immersive, imaginary café for a two-day exhibition titled "LE CAFÉ" on April 25 and 26, 2026. The installation features interactive paintings and talking portraits of figures such as Kalash and Lujipeka, where visitors can trigger recorded dialogue to converse with the artworks. The 80-square-meter space will utilize warped scenography and actors playing waiters to blur the lines between traditional painting, performance art, and stage design.

In Paris, this exhibition invites you to engage in a dialogue with paintings.

Artist Aurore Guez is transforming the Wilde Galerie in Paris into an immersive, imaginary café for a two-day exhibition titled "LE CAFÉ" on April 25 and 26, 2026. The installation features interactive paintings and talking portraits of figures such as Kalash and Lujipeka, where visitors can trigger recorded dialogue to converse with the artworks. The 80-square-meter space will be populated by actors playing waiters, creating a surreal environment where the boundaries between stage set, performance, and traditional painting are intentionally blurred.

Opening reception for Santa Fe College juried student art show is April 17

Santa Fe College is set to host its annual Student Juried Art Exhibition, featuring a selection of the finest works produced by its Fine Arts students. The show opens with a reception on April 17 at the Northwest Campus gallery in Gainesville, showcasing between 70 and 100 pieces across mediums including painting, photography, and ceramics. Guest juror Carly Shooster will select the top prize winners from a pool of over 300 initial submissions.

UNT dean said fears of political repercussions led to removal of art exhibit, leaked transcripts show

Leaked transcripts from the University of North Texas (UNT) reveal that Dean Karen Hutzel attributed the abrupt cancellation of artist Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez’s exhibition to fears of political retaliation. The show, titled “Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá,” was shuttered shortly after opening at the CVAD Gallery without an initial public explanation. The transcripts indicate that administrators feared the provocative nature of the work—specifically pieces addressing incarceration and deportation—could lead Texas Republican lawmakers to slash university funding or eliminate programs, following a pattern of ideological clashes at other state institutions.

UAE pavilion announces Venice Biennale exhibition inspired by Arabic word for whispering

The National Pavilion UAE has unveiled details for its exhibition at the 2026 Venice Biennale, titled "Washwasha." Curated by Bana Kattan with assistant curator Tala Nassar, the show features six artists—Mays Albaik, Jawad Al Malhi, Farah Al Qasimi, Alaa Edris, Lamya Gargash, and Taus Makhacheva—whose works explore contemporary soundscapes, memory, and transformation in the UAE. The exhibition will be housed in a pavilion designed by Buro Koray Duman Architects, featuring a series of chambers that transition from intimate listening spaces to areas of sonic overlap.

New Student Art Exhibition Opens at Country Music Hall of Fame

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has launched a new community art exhibition titled "Connection" within its Taylor Swift Education Center. The showcase features letterpress posters created by Metro Nashville Public Schools students and artists from Friends Life Community, a nonprofit supporting adults with developmental disabilities. Developed in collaboration with the historic Hatch Show Print shop, the works utilize action words and imagery to envision a future centered on social causes and creative unity.