Blue Phrog Gallery closing doors in downtown Montevallo

The Blue Phrog Gallery, a staple of the downtown Montevallo art scene for over 15 years, has announced its permanent closure. Founded in 2009 by Phil and Suzanne Hurst in a repurposed bank building, the gallery served as a primary venue for Alabama-based artists and University of Montevallo students to showcase and sell their work. The building at 955 Main Street is currently listed for sale following the recent passing of co-founder Phil Hurst.

Church History Museum Showcases 13th International Art Competition

The Church History Museum of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah, is presenting an exhibition of works selected from the 13th International Art Competition, running from April 24, 2025, to January 3, 2026. The exhibition features 150 artworks chosen from hundreds of submissions by five jurors, with artists from 26 countries including Angola, Argentina, Australia, and Vietnam. The theme, “Lift Up the Hands Which Hang Down,” is drawn from Doctrine and Covenants 81:5, and the show includes a variety of media such as sculpture, ceramic, chitenge, and tapa. Purchase and merit awards were announced at an April 24 ceremony, and a virtual gallery allows public voting for a Visitors’ Choice Award through November 30, 2025.

For Bob Baker Marionette Theater, ‘Choo Choo Revue’ is more than a show. It's a statement

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Los Angeles is debuting its first new production in 45 years, titled 'Choo Choo Revue,' after shifting away from a previously planned show, 'Arabian Nights,' that was spearheaded by the late founder Bob Baker. The new show features original puppets like a pelican-frog duo and is directed by Alex Evans, who also serves as co-executive director. The theater recently announced its intent to purchase its Highland Park venue for $5 million and performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where the show sold out its first week.

Interview with French cartoonist Hugo Didier who draws the Cannes Film Festival 79

Intervista al fumettista francese Hugo Didier che disegna il Festival di Cannes 79

French cartoonist and illustrator Hugo Didier (Paris, 1993) has been commissioned to reinterpret and narrate the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival (May 12–23) through his drawings, which have appeared on the festival's official Instagram account. In an interview, Didier discusses how cinema influences his visual imagination, his preference for traditional drawing techniques (nib pens, Rotring technical pen, ink washes, watercolor) over digital, and his creative process that often begins with spontaneous sketches. He also reflects on the role of comics in contemporary French culture, noting their ability to explore diverse themes and reach wide audiences through a playful yet accessible medium.

20 artisti lavoreranno in 20 paesini remoti di 20 regioni italiane. La rassegna che porta l’arte contemporanea nei borghi torna per il settimo anno

The seventh edition of "Una Boccata d'Arte," an initiative by Fondazione Elpis, will bring contemporary art to 20 remote villages across all 20 Italian regions. Twenty artists, each paired with a curator, will create site-specific projects that will be inaugurated simultaneously on June 20-21, 2026, and remain on view until October 4. A key innovation this year is that artists and curators spent extra time engaging with local communities before designing their works, fostering deeper connections. Examples include Greek artist Vasilis Papageorgiu transforming a traditional tablecloth from a resident of Tredozio, and Francesco Alberico collaborating with a socio-health facility in Bressanone to create a bird-themed installation.

The arrival of the Orient Express hotel in Venice reopens the historic Palazzo Donà Giovannelli (filling it with contemporary art)

L’arrivo dell’hotel Orient Express a Venezia riapre lo storico Palazzo Donà Giovannelli (riempiendolo di arte contemporanea)

Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, a 15th-century Venetian palace, has reopened as the flagship Orient Express hotel after an eight-year restoration led by architect and interior designer Aline Asmar d’Amman. Located in the Cannaregio district, the 5-star luxury hotel features 47 rooms, suites, and residences, blending historical frescoes and neogothic details with contemporary sculptures, Murano glass chandeliers, and custom furnishings. The property, owned by Arsenale Group since 2019, includes a transformed courtyard lobby, a secret garden, and a rotating selection of contemporary artworks displayed in a passage called Calle Meraviglia.

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.

Cultural Observatories: Dinosaurs or Subjects Capable of Interpreting the Present?

Osservatori culturali. Dinosauri o soggetti in grado di interpretare il presente?

The Cultural Observatory of Canton Ticino has published a study on cultural observatories worldwide, including a map and list of surveyed organizations. The analysis reveals that cultural observatories are not a global phenomenon but are concentrated mainly in Europe and South America, with occasional presence in North America (especially Canada and Hispanic-oriented organizations in the US). Africa, Asia, and Oceania are almost entirely absent from the map. The study also highlights a high rate of inactive observatories: among the top 10 countries by active observatories, only Germany shows an effective activity ratio. Spain has 26 active observatories out of about 45 total, while Italy has 11 active out of over 20 inactive. The research defines observatories as non-profit organizations that combine cultural and statistical expertise to deepen and transfer knowledge about the cultural sector, and classifies as inactive those with no recent activity on web or social channels.

Veneto: In Place of a Liberty Café in Recoaro Terme, a Contemporary Art Center Opens. Interview with the Curator

Veneto: al posto di un caffè liberty di Recoaro Terme apre un centro d’arte contemporanea. Intervista alla curatrice

The historic Palazzo Caffè Nazionale in Recoaro Terme, a small spa town in the Veneto region of Italy, is being transformed into a contemporary art center called Cantiere del Contemporaneo, set to open on May 2, 2026. The project, curated by Elisabetta Bacchin, will focus on artist residencies, with the inaugural group including Romesh Bothalage, Pietro Chiarello, Francesco Pizzocchero, and Virginia Stevenin, who will work for two months in the converted spaces. The initiative is part of a broader regeneration plan funded by the National Plan for Borghi and the European Union's PNRR funds, aiming to revitalize the town's cultural and economic identity through contemporary art.

In Piazza Navona the École française de Rome opens a space for exhibitions (all will be free admission)

A Piazza Navona l’École française de Rome apre uno spazio per le mostre (saranno tutte ad accesso gratuito)

The École française de Rome, founded in 1875 and housed at Palazzo Farnese, has opened a permanent exhibition space at Piazza Navona 62 in Rome. A current exhibition running until April 30, 2026, traces the institute's 150-year history of historical, archaeological, and social science research, highlighting its Italian and Mediterranean focus and the collaborative spirit between France and Italy. The new gallery will host a regular program of free-admission exhibitions and events dedicated to cultural heritage, archaeology, and history, starting with the show "Isole e santi – Monasteri e santuari dell’Adriatico orientale, da san Girolamo a Gregorio VII" from May 27, 2026.

Milan Art Week 2026: The Essential Artribune Guide to Every Event, Hour by Hour

Milano Art Week 2026. Qui l’Agendissima di Artribune da stampare con tutti gli eventi ora per ora giorno per giorno

Milano Art Week returns from April 13 to 19, 2026, centered around the 30th edition of the miart international modern and contemporary art fair. Held at the Allianz MiCo South Wing, the fair will host 160 galleries across three sections—Established, Emergent, and the new Established Anthology—under the thematic banner "New Directions," inspired by the transformative jazz of John Coltrane.

Art and words unite like yin and yang in Guelph exhibition

Artworks Gallery Guelph is hosting a new exhibition titled “Vision & Verse,” which explores the interplay between visual art and poetry. The show features works by gallery members Patti Collins, Diana Scott, Sharyn Seibert, Deb Stocker, and Suzanne Wakefield, with Katie Elliott-Stoyles as the featured artist. A grand opening is scheduled for Mother's Day, May 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the gallery located at 404 York Road in Guelph.

Landscape, colour and imagination celebrated at Armstrong art gallery

The Armstrong Spallumcheen Museum & Art Gallery in British Columbia is opening a dual exhibition on May 28, 2026, featuring the Shuswap Plein Air Troupe and artist Nancy Vince. The Main Gallery presents "Together: From There to Here," a group show by Diane Akey, Maureen Howard, and Patricia L. Smith, who paint together as the Plein Air Troupe, capturing landscapes with varied textures and emotional depth. In the Freeze Gallery, "A Touch of Whimsy" showcases Vince's high-definition metal prints filled with vibrant, playful imagery of flowers, cottages, and lakeside scenes. The exhibition runs through June 27, with a reception on opening night.

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.

Hannah Powell: Pushing the University Art Gallery forward

Hannah Powell, a University of Pittsburgh alumna, has been appointed as the first official coordinator of the University Art Gallery (UAG) at Pitt. After earning a degree in anthropology and a minor in museum studies from Pitt in 2016, she pursued a master's in museum studies from the University of Glasgow, then worked at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and later at Pittsburgh institutions like the Heinz History Center and Carnegie Science Center. Since starting her role at the UAG in 2024, Powell coordinates exhibitions, plans educational programming, and improves accessibility to a collection of over 3,000 pieces, working alongside one other full-time employee.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition opens Saturday 25 April

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition opens at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery on 25 April 2026, running until 20 June. The exhibition, on loan from London's Natural History Museum, showcases winning images from an international competition that received over 60,000 entries. A local community photography competition focusing on 'Wildlife on your doorstep' will be displayed alongside the main show.

First Friday expands into downtown Boulder with new Pearl Street art walk

The monthly First Friday art walk in Boulder, Colorado, has expanded its footprint to include the Pearl Street Mall and surrounding downtown area. This expansion adds over 20 new participating venues, including galleries, shops, and restaurants, to the existing circuit that traditionally focused on the East End and North Boulder.

Jeannette art gallery hosts 6th annual ‘Women in Art’ exhibit

The Jeannette Art Gallery in Pennsylvania has opened its sixth annual 'Women in Art' exhibition, featuring works by female artists from the local region. The show includes a variety of mediums such as painting, sculpture, and photography, and aims to provide a dedicated platform for women artists during Women's History Month.

Community exhibition celebrating local waterways opens at Wallaceburg museum

The Wallaceburg & District Museum Art Gallery has launched "The Water Chapter," a community-driven exhibition featuring artwork and personal narratives from residents of Dresden, Sombra, and Walpole Island. Organized by WATCH Citizen Science in collaboration with local arts councils, the show highlights the cultural and personal significance of the Sydenham, Snye, and St. Clair rivers through the eyes of local artists and students.

Navarre’s Beck Fine Art Gallery to hold grand opening March 13

Renowned impressionist painter Dan Beck is launching his new venture, Beck Fine Art Gallery, with a grand opening scheduled for March 13 in Navarre. The gallery will serve as a permanent space to showcase Beck's extensive body of work, which is celebrated for blending traditional impressionist techniques with contemporary artistic concepts.

Gallery Annette opens in Edgewood—a new hub for art + community

Gallery Annette has opened at 109 Broadway Street in Edgewood, Alabama, taking over the former Art Alley space. Owned by local couple Duncan and Anna Chancellor, the gallery features work from 21 artists across a range of styles including landscapes, abstracts, graffiti, florals, and pop art. The space is available for private rentals and plans to host artist meet-and-greets, art lessons, and creativity events such as make-your-own mahjong tiles.

These exhibits took years to plan. They’re gathering dust during the shutdown.

Daniel Soma sat alone in a pop-up art gallery in downtown Washington, D.C., surrounded by Australian Indigenous artworks that had been planned for years but remained unseen due to a government shutdown. The gallery, wedged between a bank and a men's workwear store, was fully installed but empty of visitors, highlighting the immediate impact of the shutdown on cultural programming.

New Tower District art gallery is putting Fresno artists first

Arts Annex Fresno, a new art gallery in Fresno's Tower District, is set to celebrate its grand opening on Saturday night. The gallery aims to prioritize local Fresno artists by providing them with a dedicated space to showcase and sell their work, filling a gap in the city's art scene for artist-first venues.

What Oototol’s Art Reveals about Indonesian History

Tara Anne Dalbow explores the emerging trend of 'one-work exhibitions,' where galleries and museums dedicate an entire show to a single masterpiece. This format encourages 'slow looking,' a meditative practice that prioritizes deep engagement and spatial experience over the rapid-fire consumption of images typical of the digital age.

New Bedford Art Museum celebrates creativity of special needs students

The New Bedford Art Museum is hosting the fifth annual SMEC exhibition, "Learning for Life," featuring artwork created by students and adults with special needs from the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative. The show, on view through June 14, includes pieces made in weekly art classes led by educator Nicole Winning, and one poignant sculpture by Ashley L. Canfield, a program participant who passed away in April.

Submit Entries for Young Generation Art Award

FundsforNGOs has announced an open call for submissions for the Young Generation Art Award, a prize aimed at emerging artists. The award invites young creatives to submit their work for consideration, with details on eligibility and deadlines presumably available through the organizer's channels.

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.

Autumn Wunderkammer Auction - 2nd Session: Contemporary Decorative Art

Russell Kaplan Auctioneers is holding the second session of its Autumn Wunderkammer Auction on May 15, 2026, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The session, titled "Contemporary Decorative Art," will feature lots 700 through 1499, with approximately 60 lots sold per hour from 09:00 to 18:00.

AAM 2026 | a guide to this year's event

The article previews the 2026 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, scheduled for May in Philadelphia. It highlights key sessions, speakers, and events planned for the gathering of museum professionals, focusing on trends in audience engagement, digital innovation, and institutional resilience.

Who is the mystery miner in this Tom McGuiness portrait?

The Auckland Project has launched a public appeal to identify a mystery miner depicted in a charcoal portrait by the late pitman-turned-painter Tom McGuinness. The drawing, currently on display at the Mining Art Gallery in Bishop Auckland as part of the exhibition "Tom McGuiness: Out of the Darkness," was originally labeled "Cathy's Dad" but was corrected by the artist's daughter, Corinne Aspel, who confirmed it does not show her grandfather. The work has been retitled "Portrait of an Unknown Man," and curators are seeking help from the public to name the sitter.