Possible medieval artefacts, discovered at Canadian thrift store, will form basis of university archaeology class

A group of 11 rings and two medallions, believed to be medieval, was discovered at a Thrifty Boutique charity shop in Chilliwack, British Columbia. A volunteer found the items while sorting donations, and a customer with an archaeology background alerted staff that the objects might be ancient. The manager contacted Sabrina Higgins, an associate professor at Simon Fraser University (SFU), who arranged for the artefacts to be donated to the university's Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Higgins and colleague Cara Tremain have designed a course for autumn 2026 in which students will analyze the objects' materials and designs to determine their provenance, culminating in an exhibition at the museum.

MFA Boston returns two works to Kingdom of Benin

The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Boston has returned two looted artefacts—a bronze relief plaque and a terracotta and iron head—to the Oba of Benin during a ceremony at Nigeria House in New York City. The works, stolen by British forces during the 1897 punitive expedition against the Kingdom of Benin, were traced to the collection of Augustus Pitt-Rivers and later acquired by investment titan Robert Owen Lehman, who donated them to the MFA in 2013 and 2018. The pieces will be handed over to Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments and ultimately to His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba Ewuare II.

Museums Tell Stories of American Independence

The New York Times article explores how museums across the United States are presenting exhibitions and narratives that examine the complex history of American independence, moving beyond traditional patriotic accounts to include perspectives on slavery, indigenous displacement, and ongoing struggles for freedom. These exhibitions incorporate diverse voices and artifacts to offer a more nuanced understanding of the nation's founding and its legacy.

Emmanuel Étienne Takes the Helm of the Compiègne-Blérancourt Museums

Emmanuel Étienne prend les rênes des musées de Compiègne-Blérancourt

Emmanuel Étienne has been appointed as the director of the national museums and estates of Compiègne and Blérancourt. The 48-year-old architect and urban planner, a heritage architect trained at the École de Chaillot, succeeds Rodolphe Rapetti, who has retired. He will oversee the complex, which includes the Château and national estate of Compiègne with its three museums, as well as the estate and the Franco-American Museum of Blérancourt.

Excerpt from the Iliad in a mummy's abdomen and gold tongues: rare discoveries made in Egypt

Extrait de l’Iliade dans l’abdomen d’une momie et langues en or : de rares découvertes effectuées en Égypte

Archaeologists working at the necropolis of Oxyrhynchus in Egypt have made a series of rare discoveries, the most significant being a fragment of papyrus from Homer's Iliad found inside the abdominal cavity of a Roman-era mummy. This marks the first time a Greek literary text has been found incorporated into the ancient Egyptian embalming process, suggesting a unique hybridization of funerary practices.

What Every Collector Should Know About Buying Performance Art

Artsy Editorial explores the complexities of collecting performance art, explaining that ownership typically involves acquiring documentation, scores, or rights to reactivate a performance rather than the live event itself. The article outlines how artists, dealers, and collectors navigate transactions for this ephemeral medium, addressing the challenges of preservation, display, and market value.

Extreme Macro Photos of Insect Wings by Chris Perani Layer Thousands of Images

Photographer Chris Perani creates hyper-detailed images of insect wings using an extreme macro photography technique. His series, Wings, captures the intricate, often invisible details of bee, wasp, damselfly, beetle, and butterfly wings by taking up to 2,000 photos of a single specimen and digitally stacking them for unprecedented clarity.

Korea and Japan to Collaborate on Pavilions at Venice Biennale

Arts Council Korea has revealed the program for its national pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale. Curated by Binna Choi and titled "Liberation Space: Fortress/Nest," the exhibition will feature artists Goen Choi and Hyeree Ro, exploring the historical period between the end of Japanese colonial rule and the establishment of separate Korean governments. A key feature is artist Goen Choi's work *Meridian*, which will physically extend copper pipes from the Korean Pavilion into the adjacent Japanese Pavilion, marking the first formal collaboration between the two nations' presentations at the Biennale.

MSU student debuting ant-themed art exhibit

Morehead State University student Josiah Kilburn, a senior biology major from Castle Rock, Colorado, is debuting an ant-themed art exhibition titled “Myrmecoportraiture: Experience the Enchanting World of Ants” at the Golding-Yang Art Gallery. Running from October 6 to 30, the show combines macro photography, live ant colonies, preserved specimens, and interactive multisensory displays, including tactile habitats and distinct ant smells. Kilburn developed the project through his biology studies and photography courses, with mentorship from Associate Professor Dr. Robyn Moore. An artist talk and reception are scheduled for October 22.

The Forward Frame: East End Arts Holds Last Hurrah Before Gallery Relocation

East End Arts hosted a final exhibition titled "The Forward Frame" at its historic East Main Street gallery in Riverhead before the building undergoes a massive structural renovation. As part of the Riverhead Town Square redevelopment project, the 1840s-era building will be raised seven feet to escape the Peconic River floodplain and reconfigured alongside a new five-story Hilton hotel. During the farewell event, community members were invited to create ephemeral art directly on the gallery walls, marking a transition period where the organization will operate out of temporary spaces at 11 and 48 West Main Street.

O’DA gallery stirs deep-seated emotions with group show,Happy

O'DA gallery in Lagos has opened a group exhibition titled "Happy," featuring works by contemporary artists that explore the complex and often contradictory nature of happiness. The show aims to move beyond simplistic portrayals of joy to examine its deeper, sometimes unsettling, psychological and social dimensions.

Claremont Lewis Museum of Art to feature ‘Happiness Pursued. Paradise Lost.’ photo exhibit

The Claremont Lewis Museum of Art will present a new photography exhibition titled 'Happiness Pursued. Paradise Lost.' The show will feature photographic works exploring the complex themes of human aspiration and the often-elusive nature of fulfillment.

Capitolium Art: Modern & Contemporary Art - Selected (Traditional)

Capitolium Art has announced its upcoming "Modern & Contemporary Art - Selected" auction, scheduled to run from April 1st to April 15th, 2026. The sale, hosted in partnership with Artsy, features a curated selection of traditional modern and contemporary works subject to a 26% buyer’s premium plus an additional 5% platform fee for online bidders. The terms outline specific logistical requirements, including a 10-day payment and collection window and the application of Italian Artist’s Resale Right (Droit de Suite) fees.

Ballast review: emerging artist Isabella Kennedy considers submerged histories

Emerging multidisciplinary artist Isabella Kennedy has unveiled her installation 'Ballast' at Firstdraft in Sydney, a site-specific work that blends paper sculpture, video projection, and sound. The exhibition draws on the unfinished research of her late father, journalist Les Kennedy, regarding the 1941 disappearance of the HMAS Sydney II. Through delicate stitched paper forms and immersive blue light, Kennedy explores themes of familial grief, maritime history, and the meditative acts of remembrance that bridge personal and national narratives.