The ‘Art of the Sixties’ exhibition opens with reception at Inkfish Gallery on Friday, Sept. 5

Inkfish Gallery in Des Moines, Washington, will open an exhibition titled 'Art of the Sixties' on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The show, curated by George C. Scott of Inkfish Foundation and Fred Andrews of Des Moines Legacy Foundation with funding from 4Culture of King County, features works from the 1960s encompassing Pop Art, Op Art, Minimalism, Conceptual Art, Hot Rod Art, and Psychedelic Art. Artists highlighted include Andy Warhol, Peter Max, Margaret Keane, Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth, Robert Crumb, and Roy Lichtenstein.

'Black Gold: Stories Untold' art exhibit reclaims forgotten histories of Black Californians at Fort Point

A new immersive art exhibition titled 'Black Gold: Stories Untold' opens at Fort Point in San Francisco, featuring 25 commissioned works by 17 artists that uncover the overlooked histories of Black Californians from the Gold Rush through Reconstruction. Curated by FOR-SITE, a nonprofit focused on art and place, the exhibition transforms the Civil War-era military fort into a multi-sensory space with beaded portraits, video installations, sculptures, and a tent installation by artist Umar Rashid. Works include Cheryl Derricotte's tribute to Mary Ellen Pleasant, a formerly enslaved woman who became a wealthy abolitionist.

Whitney Biennial 2026

The 2026 Whitney Biennial, curated by Marcela Guerrero and Drew Sawyer, has received generally lukewarm responses from critics, a notable shift from the more intense takedowns and boycotts that characterized recent editions of the exhibition. Left-oriented critics have criticized the curatorial framework as indeterminate and evasive, particularly in light of the Whitney Museum's controversial board decisions, including the recent closure of the museum's Independent Study Program.

EFG LATIN AMERICA ART AWARD PRESENTA AL ARTISTA NOMINADO EN SP ARTE 2026

The EFG Latin America Art Award, in partnership with ArtNexus, has named Brazilian artist Cristiano Lenhardt as its nominee from SP-Arte 2026. Lenhardt, represented by Fortes D'Aloia & Gabriel, was selected for his work *Lieoe* (2025), a mixed-media piece combining ceramic, embroidery, and cotton fabric dyed by floodwaters from the Guaíba River. The work responds to the environmental tragedy of the May 2024 floods in Rio Grande do Sul, transforming trauma into a tactile, intuitive object. The nomination was made with input from Fernando Oliva, curator of MASP, and Celia Sredni de Birbragher, director of ArtNexus.

EFG LATIN AMERICA ART AWARD PRESENTS THE NOMINATED ARTIST AT SP ARTE 2026

The EFG Latin America Art Award, in partnership with ArtNexus, has named Brazilian artist Cristiano Lenhardt as the nominated artist at SP-Arte 2026. Lenhardt, represented by Fortes D'Aloia & Gabriel, was selected for his work *Lieoe* (2025), a mixed-media piece combining ceramic and embroidery on cotton that responds to the devastating floods in Rio Grande do Sul in May 2024. The selection was made with input from Fernando Oliva, curator of MASP, and Celia Sredni de Birbragher, director and editor of ArtNexus.

Russia and Israel cannot win any prizes at the next Venice Art Biennale 2026. The jury takes a stand

Russia e Israele non potranno vincere nessun premio alla prossima Biennale Arte di Venezia 2026. La giuria prende posizione

The international jury for the 61st Venice Biennale, led by Solange Farkas, has unanimously declared it will not consider countries whose leaders are currently accused of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court. This means Russia and Israel are excluded from competing for the Golden Lion awards, including Best National Participation and Best Artist. The jury's statement, published on e-Flux Notes, emphasizes the Biennale's historical role as a platform connecting art with contemporary urgencies and acknowledges the complex relationship between artistic practice and state representation.

Loved by the public, but not by art critics. Jack Vettriano on show in Rome (interview with the curator)

Amato dal pubblico, ma non dai critici d’arte. Jack Vettriano in mostra a Roma (intervista alla curatrice)

A major retrospective exhibition of Scottish painter Jack Vettriano has opened at Palazzo Velli in Rome. The show, which originated in Bologna at Palazzo Pallavicini, was transformed into a posthumous retrospective following the artist's death in March 2025. It features both original oil paintings and high-quality, limited-edition reproductions on museum paper, a curatorial choice made by Vettriano himself to make his work more accessible.

The exhibition of the great artist Lucy Orta in a recovered historic palace in Sansepolcro

La mostra della grande artista Lucy Orta in un palazzo storico recuperato a San Sepolcro

British artist Lucy Orta has unveiled a site-specific installation titled "Trame di Comunità" at CasermArcheologica in Sansepolcro, Tuscany, following an artist residency. The work features five tents constructed from hand-woven vintage linen and hemp, inspired by the protective imagery in Piero della Francesca’s "Polyptych of Mercy." These structures are embroidered with the faces of local residents and adorned with 99 terracotta amulets, incorporating oral testimonies and personal reflections gathered from the community during Orta's stay.

Venice Biennale Scraps “Golden Lion” Awards as Turmoil Continues

The 61st Venice Biennale has scrapped its traditional Golden Lion awards, replacing them with public-voted “Visitor Lions” after the entire award jury resigned on April 30. The jury had previously announced its intention to exclude countries whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, effectively targeting Russia and Israel. The Biennale Foundation, however, stated that all official national pavilions—including Russia and Israel—will be eligible for the new Visitor Lions, citing principles of inclusion and equal treatment. The awards ceremony has been moved from May 9 to November 22, the final day of the Biennale, to allow ticket holders to vote throughout the event.

Alessandro Giuli Threatens to Boycott the Vernissage of the Biennale

Alessandro Giuli menace de boycotter le vernissage de la Biennale

Alessandro Giuli, a prominent Italian cultural figure, has threatened to boycott the vernissage of the Venice Biennale. This action is a response to the ongoing controversy surrounding the potential return of Russia to the event, which has sparked political debate in Italy and drawn an ultimatum from the European Commission. The Biennale has also decided not to award prizes to Russia or Israel, further intensifying the situation.

Israel Criticizes Venice Biennale Jury over Pavilion’s Exclusion

The international jury of the 61st Venice Biennale has excluded the Israeli and Russian pavilions from consideration for official prizes, citing that countries whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court will not be eligible. Israel’s foreign ministry condemned the decision as a political boycott, and Israeli representative Belu-Simion Fainaru called it a hostile act that exceeds the jury’s mandate. The Biennale’s president, Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, has distanced the institution from the jury’s action, insisting the exhibition remain open to all nations recognized by Italy.

‘Rightstarter’ art exhibit at Antioch revisits hip-hop’s golden era

The Herndon Gallery at Antioch College is opening a group exhibition titled 'Rightstarter: Resistance, Rap and the Golden Era,' curated by artist Joshua Whitaker. The show, launching with a reception on May 9, explores the rap counterculture of the late 1980s and early 1990s, featuring works by artists from Dayton and beyond. It includes drawings, paintings, sculpture, installations, video, and performance, with a live jazz performance by G. Scott Jones and the Freedom Ensemble. The exhibition highlights how hip-hop served as a platform for social commentary against the backdrop of Reaganomics, the crack epidemic, the war on drugs, and the AIDS crisis.

Artworks by Palestinian artists killed in war displayed in Scottish exhibition

An exhibition at POD! community art gallery in Dundee, Scotland, features works by three Palestinian artists: Maysa Yousef, who is alive and exhibiting, and two others—Dorgham Qreaiqea and Heba Zaqout—who were killed in Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The display also includes artwork by children in Gaza who participated in art therapy workshops led by Yousef, who describes art as a means of survival and resistance amid ongoing violence and trauma.

AOY Art Center announces award winners of the 14th Annual Juried Show

AOY Art Center announced the award winners of its 14th Annual Juried Show, with David Orban taking first place for his oil on cradled wood panel, “Bi-plane and Blue Truck in Red.” Juror Amanda C. Burdan, senior curator at the Brandywine Museum, selected the piece for its surreal use of red. Second place went to Jean Burdick for “Silverton,” a silkscreen on vellum, and third place to Darlene Decker for “For the Monarchs,” an oil painting. The Frumi Cohen Memorial Award was presented to Cathy Hanville for her photograph “What’s for Dinner,” and honorable mentions were awarded to Scott Hoerl and Barbara Kaiser. The exhibition, featuring 135 works from over 425 entries by 150 local artists, is on view through May 3 at the AOY Art Center in Yardley, Pennsylvania, and online.

Artist-run gallery in Old Town Scottsdale’s Art District among best in Valley

On The Edge Gallery, an artist-run collective in Old Town Scottsdale's Arts District, has been named one of the top 10 galleries in the Phoenix metropolitan area by Modern Luxury Magazine. The gallery operates as a co-op where local Arizona artists create the work, set their own prices, and often work on-site, allowing visitors to interact directly with the creators.

Springs Scene – Art

The Colorado Springs art community has announced its extensive 2026 spring and summer calendar, featuring a diverse range of student exhibitions, juried festivals, and monthly gallery walks. Key highlights include the Young People’s Art Exhibition at The Colorado Springs School, the UCCS Visual Art Majors exhibition titled “Chrysalis” at the Ent Center for the Arts, and the Garden of the Gods Art Festival, which will host over 150 national artists. The schedule also confirms the continuation of the popular First Friday art walks across Old Colorado City and downtown Colorado Springs through the end of the year.

Exhibit at Lord Baltimore Hotel by local artist Mark Anthony West Jr. evokes starry skies

Baltimore-born artist Mark Anthony West Jr. is debuting a new body of work titled "Seven Stars Between Two Skies" at the Lord Baltimore Hotel. Created during a residency in Rio de Janeiro, the exhibition features portraits of American and Brazilian creatives depicted as sovereign forces, utilizing signature elements like terra cotta noses, metallic leaf, and symbolic ribbons to explore Afro-diasporic themes and spiritual lineage.

Young Irvine artist prepares for first major solo exhibition in town

Young Irvine artist Euan Tait, 23, a recent graduate of the University of the West of Scotland, will present his first major solo exhibition at the Harbour Arts Centre in Irvine next month. The show, running from November 6 to January 10, features a range of new paintings and original prints, many produced at the Glasgow Print Studio where Tait is an active member. He has previously participated in group exhibitions at venues including the Maclaurin Art Gallery, the Dick Institute, and the Society of Scottish Artists' 127th Annual Exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy.

New National Galleries of Scotland chair to lead opening of Edinburgh’s The Art Works

The National Galleries of Scotland has appointed Catherine Muirden as the new Chair of the Board, effective 1 November 2025, for a four-year term. Muirden brings extensive experience from corporate roles at Barclays, Marks & Spencer, the John Lewis Partnership, and The Co-operative Group, alongside two decades of arts board service in Scotland, including as Vice Chair of Scottish Ballet and Chair of the Fruitmarket Gallery. She succeeds Benny Higgins, who led the board through a period of significant challenges. Director-General Anne Lyden expressed enthusiasm for working with Muirden to advance The Art Works, a new state-of-the-art facility in North Edinburgh that will serve as a community space, conservation center, and art storage hub, enabling broader public access to Scotland's national collection.

Easthampton artists, priced out of studio building, exhibit new work and defiance

A group of about 40 artists from Easthampton, Massachusetts, have mounted a new exhibition titled “Cottage Street Studios, Past and Present” at Easthampton City Arts, nearly a year after rising rents forced many of them out of their longtime studio building at One Cottage Street. The former factory, owned by nonprofit Riverside Industries, had housed a mix of painters, potters, and woodworkers for half a century, but a management change led to rent increases that doubled some tenants’ costs, prompting roughly half of the 80 artists to leave. Fiber artist Andrea Zax organized the show as a defiant act of community reconnection, while artists like Piper Foreso and Matthew Simons described the scattering as devastating to their creative ecosystem.

terracotta warriors china damage tourist mausoleum qin shi huang 1234744034

A 30-year-old Chinese tourist damaged two ancient terracotta warriors at the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang in Xi’an, China, on Friday. According to local officials, the man climbed over guardrails and a protective net, jumped more than 15 feet into Pit No. 3, and pushed and pulled the clay figures, causing varying degrees of damage before being restrained by security. Authorities suspect the man suffers from mental illness, and the case remains under investigation. The site reopened the following day.

Who Created the Book of Kells? A Master Craftsman Takes on the Mystery

A new project led by master craftsman Thomas Keyes aims to recreate medieval vellum-making techniques to test theories about the origin of the Book of Kells. Keyes will build a replica of a washing tank found at the Scottish monastery of Portmahomack and use historically accurate methods, including potentially using seaweed-based lye, to produce vellum. This experimental archaeology seeks to determine if the manuscript's unique physical characteristics match the production methods used at Portmahomack.

gladwell and patterson james doran webb peter wileman 2747110

British artist James Doran-Webb is set to debut his first solo exhibition with the venerable UK gallery Gladwell and Patterson during Scottsdale Ferrari Art Week 2026. Known for his intricate wildlife sculptures crafted from reclaimed driftwood, Doran-Webb’s practice transforms weathered, inanimate natural materials into dynamic animal forms such as horses, owls, and meerkats. The presentation will pair these contemporary sculptures with Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings to create an immersive environment.

How the Venice Biennale imploded over Israel

The 61st Venice Biennale, scheduled to open on May 9, has been thrown into turmoil after its International Jury announced that national pavilions and artists representing countries whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court will not be eligible for prizes. This excludes Israel, represented by sculptor Belu-Simion Fainaru, and Russia from competing for the Golden Lion. The decision follows an open letter signed by hundreds of artists and curators demanding Israel's exclusion over the war in Gaza, and comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, including Russia's absence from previous editions after its invasion of Ukraine. The Biennale's theme, 'In Minor Keys,' curated by the late Koyo Kouoh, aimed to focus on dignity and listening to marginalized voices, but the prize ban has sparked accusations that identity politics are overshadowing artistic merit.

Royse Contemporary to present solo exhibition by Gennaro Garcia

Royse Contemporary in Scottsdale, Arizona, will present "UNTITLED," a solo exhibition by Mexican American artist Gennaro Garcia. The show features recent works across multiple media, including paintings, monosilk prints, giclée works, and sculpture, drawing on Garcia's childhood in Mexico and blending traditional and contemporary techniques. The exhibition runs through May 24, 2026, at the gallery in the Scottsdale Arts District.

Governor’s Art Show, one of Colorado’s largest fine art exhibitions, returns to Loveland

The 35th annual Governor’s Art Show has returned to the Loveland Museum, showcasing a juried selection of fine art from across Colorado. This year’s exhibition features approximately 60 artists, including 10 first-time participants, selected through a competitive blind jury process. The show includes a diverse range of media, from Lorri Acott’s life-size bronze animal sculptures to Jane DeDecker’s new works blending bronze with fused glass, and Faye Crowe’s Western-influenced abstract paintings.

Must-See Events and Exhibits at Scottsdale Arts

Scottsdale Arts has unveiled a diverse spring lineup of programming across its various venues, featuring a mix of milestone celebrations, contemporary exhibitions, and community events. Highlights include the 50th-anniversary ARTrageous Gala on April 11, the opening of Nancy Kravetz’s solo exhibition, and the 20th anniversary of Cycle the Arts, a citywide public art bicycle tour. The schedule also integrates performing arts with appearances by Americana musicians Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors and a showcase of Arizona-based choreographers.

Exhibition explores connection between textiles and spirituality in Asia

The Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile (Chat) in Hong Kong has launched "Threading Inwards," an exhibition featuring 14 artists from across Asia who utilize fabric as a medium for spiritual exploration. Co-curated by Wang Weiwei alongside three regional curators, the show features diverse works ranging from Sang A. Han’s ink-stained cotton gates to Aziza Kadyri’s AI-integrated Uzbek folk dance installations. The exhibition emphasizes textiles not merely as material, but as portals to ancestral cosmology and sacred vessels linking the physical and metaphysical worlds.

Inkfish Gallery to open ‘Creatures of the Deep’ exhibition featuring marine inspired art on Saturday, Dec. 20

Inkfish Gallery in Des Moines will open a new exhibition titled “Creatures of the Deep” on Saturday, Dec. 20, featuring marine-inspired works by local artists George C. Scott and Fred Andrews. The opening reception runs from 2 to 5 p.m. at the gallery, located at 22220 7th Avenue South, and is free to the public. The exhibition includes glass art, paintings, photographs, collages, and sculptures, with live jazz guitar by Ron Peters.

A Journey to Distant Memories, a solo-exhibition of works by Pennsylvania- based painter O’Neil Scott.

The Zillman Art Museum at the University of Maine in Bangor announces a new solo exhibition, "A Journey to Distant Memories," featuring works by Pennsylvania-based painter O'Neil Scott. Running from May 16 to September 6, 2025, the show includes never-before-seen paintings and some of the artist's largest compositions. Scott, born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, draws inspiration from memories of his youth, exploring themes of community, migration, and the passage of time through works such as "In Case of Emergency" and "Fading Promises." Admission to the museum is free in 2025 thanks to sponsor Birchbrook.