7 New Art Books to Step Into Spring

Artnet News has curated a selection of seven significant new art book releases for the spring season, highlighting diverse subjects from historical archives to contemporary memoirs. Featured titles include a deep dive into Frida Kahlo’s private sanctuary, 'Casa Roja,' authored by her descendants; a curatorial history of Hong Kong’s avant-garde art scene by Oscar Ho Hing-kay; and a vibrant exploration of color in contemporary art featuring works by Yayoi Kusama and Tomás Saraceno.

Valuable Art Collection Featuring Frida Kahlo Set To Leave Mexico Sparks Concern in Art Community

The Mexican art community is voicing alarm over the relocation of the prestigious Gelman Collection to Spain, where it is slated to become the centerpiece of the new Foro Santander cultural center. Managed by Santander Bank and previously acquired by the Zambrano family, the collection includes 160 works by modern masters such as Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros, including 18 rare paintings by Frida Kahlo. Critics and academics have signed an open letter demanding transparency from the Mexican government regarding the legality of this long-term export, given that many of these works are designated as national artistic monuments.

The Art Exhibitions and Museum Openings Worth Traveling For in 2026

The global art calendar for 2026 is set to feature a series of high-profile retrospectives and monumental installations across Europe's major cultural hubs. Highlights include a career-spanning reckoning of Tracey Emin’s work and a deep dive into Frida Kahlo’s iconicity at Tate Modern, a rare dialogue of Henri Matisse’s late-period works in Paris, and the historic loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum. Additionally, site-specific experiences such as Mark Rothko’s canvases in a Florentine palazzo and James Turrell’s largest museum 'Skyspace' in Denmark offer immersive encounters designed to draw international travelers.

10 Must-See Museum Exhibitions This Spring

Major museums worldwide are launching a series of high-profile exhibitions this spring that challenge traditional art historical narratives. Highlights include a Marcel Duchamp retrospective at MoMA, a deep dive into Pop art's legacy at the Guggenheim, and significant surveys of icons like Frida Kahlo and Agnes Martin. Meanwhile, UCCA Beijing is presenting a major exhibition of Duan Jianyu, highlighting the evolution of Chinese painting in relation to Western influence.

Protests in Mexico Against the Transfer of a Rare Collection to Spain

Protestations au Mexique contre le transfert en Espagne d’une rare collection

A coalition of nearly 400 art professionals in Mexico is protesting the planned transfer of the prestigious Gelman Collection to Spain. The collection, which includes iconic works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, is slated to move to the Faro Santander museum in northern Spain under a five-year management agreement with Banco Santander. Critics describe the move as a "public disaster," citing the opaque 2023 sale of the collection to the Zambrano family and the potential violation of Natasha Gelman’s original will, which stipulated the works remain in Mexico.

Opening reception for Nichols show is Friday

The Wilkes Art Gallery is set to host a career-spanning exhibition titled “From Reality to Realism, A Lifetime Perspective,” featuring the work of Wilkes County artist Ward Nichols. The show, which opens with a reception on Friday, April 17, will showcase a comprehensive collection of the artist’s past and present works, running through June 17.

GRACIELA ITURBIDE BRINGS HER MAJOR RETROSPECTIVE TO BERLIN

C/O Berlin is hosting "Eyes to Fly With," the first major retrospective of Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide in the German capital. The exhibition features approximately 250 works spanning over five decades, ranging from her iconic documentary series of the Seri and Juchitán people to her more introspective studies of Chicano culture in Los Angeles and the personal belongings of Frida Kahlo at Casa Azul.

CSUF student artists capture childhood wonder at biannual ASI art show

Cal State Fullerton recently hosted its biannual Associated Students Inc. (ASI) Art Show at the Titan Student Union Center Gallery, centered on the theme of "Memory and Nostalgia." The exhibition showcased 20 student works spanning traditional oil paintings, digital illustrations, and 3D-printed media. Awards were presented across multiple categories, highlighting pieces such as Michael Butorac’s acrylic painting "Unforgotten Friday’s" and Victor Castaneda’s digital photograph "Becoming."

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.

Gina Blickenstaff Brings Bold Color Home To Fort Collins

Artist Gina Blickenstaff is set to present her second annual solo exhibition, "The Method and the Madness," at the Center for Creativity in Fort Collins. Spanning all three of the venue's galleries, the five-day event coincides with Fort Collins Art Week and features an artist talk alongside a showcase of her vibrant, color-focused paintings. Blickenstaff, a recipient of the Dame JaCkie Erickson Creative Catalyst Award, is transitioning from a primarily digital presence to deeper local engagement through this immersive physical installation.

Call to Artists: 38th Annual Art in Gadsden Juried Exhibition Applications open now until Friday, May 15, 2026, 5PM EDT

The Gadsden Arts Center & Museum has officially opened applications for its 38th Annual Art in Gadsden Juried Exhibition. Open to current members living within 200 miles of Quincy, Florida, as well as former Gadsden County residents, the call for entries remains active until May 15, 2026. This year’s programming is set to expand beyond the gallery walls, featuring a three-day flash sale, artist studio tours, and a specialized luncheon to engage the local community.