‘A fresh look at contemporary culture’: Gus Casely-Hayford, director of V&A East, takes us inside the new London museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum is expanding its footprint with the opening of V&A East Museum in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on April 18. Led by Director Gus Casely-Hayford, the new five-story institution joins the recently opened V&A East Storehouse as part of the East Bank cultural quarter. The museum will debut with the "Why We Make" galleries, featuring over 500 objects and new commissions by artists such as Tania Bruguera, Carrie Mae Weems, and Thomas J. Price, whose 18-foot bronze sculpture anchors the museum's entrance.

What Germany’s Art Market Reveals About the Limits of Localism

German art dealers are increasingly pivoting toward regional strategies as the national market faces a period of stagnation. While the broader European Union saw a modest rise in dealer sales, Germany’s market contracted by 4 percent between 2024 and 2025, hampered by high interest rates and a sluggish post-pandemic recovery. In response, major fairs like Art Cologne are launching satellite editions in locations like Mallorca to follow wealthy German collectors on vacation, while Art Düsseldorf prepares for a record-breaking edition despite the economic downturn.

UAE art guide: 12 museum and gallery exhibitions to see, including Gallery Isabelle's 20th anniversary show

The UAE art scene is currently hosting a diverse array of exhibitions across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, despite regional disruptions. Key highlights include a major Picasso retrospective at Louvre Abu Dhabi, a 10th-century anniversary celebration at 421 Arts Campus titled 'Rays, Ripples, Residue,' and the inaugural photography exhibition at Sharjah Art Foundation’s new Al Manakh venue. These shows range from historical surveys of the human form to contemporary explorations of UAE’s urban development and climate change.

Remembering Pearl Fryar, Siri Aurdal, and Frank Stack

The art world mourns the loss of several influential figures, including self-taught topiary artist Pearl Fryar, who transformed a South Carolina cornfield into a botanical landmark, and painter Celeste Dupuy-Spencer, known for her politically charged works featured in the Whitney Biennial. The week's memorials also include Norwegian sculptor Siri Aurdal, a pioneer of industrial materials in the 1960s Scandinavian scene, and Frank Stack, the educator and cartoonist credited with creating the first underground comic.

Review: “The Things We Carry” at Un Grito Gallery

The exhibition "The Things We Carry" at Un Grito Gallery serves as the centerpiece for the 2026 Contemporary Art Month (CAM) Perennial in San Antonio. Curated by Casie Lomeli and Leslie Moody Castro, the show features eight artists including Matt Rebholz, whose vibrant, alien-like landscapes subvert traditional Western imagery, and Tina Linville, who presents tactile sculptures composed of salvaged materials and concrete. The exhibition is part of a larger city-wide initiative spread across five artist-run spaces.

Odyssey A First Open Exhibition For Hastings Contemporary – Jude Montague

Hastings Contemporary has launched its inaugural biennial open exhibition, titled "Odyssey," featuring 151 works selected from over 2,500 submissions by artists across Sussex. The exhibition explores themes of journeying and the local coastal landscape, showcasing a diverse range of media including enamel on aluminium, woodcuts, and ceramics. While the show has been a financial success for the gallery, it has sparked local debate regarding the high volume of rejected entries and the ethics of submission fees.

Chrome, Canvas, Cultura: Art On Main’s Chicano Exhibition Redefines East Dallas Experience

Art on Main in East Dallas is hosting "Chicano," a massive group exhibition featuring 79 works by 58 artists from the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond. Curated by Junanne Peck and Ariel Esquivel, the show spans painting, photography, metal sculpture, and printmaking to explore themes of identity, resilience, and the lived experiences of the Mexican-American community. Highlights include Rodrigo Paredes’ tribute to street vendors and Lisa Batchelder’s surrealist explorations of her Oak Cliff upbringing.

Talking Art With Rama Duwaji

New York City’s First Lady, Rama Duwaji, provided an exclusive look into her creative life during a studio visit at Gracie Mansion. The interview explores her dual identity as a ceramicist and illustrator and her transition into the political spotlight, showcasing the personal practice behind her public role.

In Its ‘Greater New York’ Show, MoMA PS1 Focuses on the Here and Now

MoMA PS1 has announced the artist list for the upcoming edition of 'Greater New York,' its signature survey of artists living and working in the New York City area. This iteration features 53 artists and collectives, maintaining the exhibition's long-standing tradition of serving as a critical launchpad for emerging talent while reflecting the current creative pulse of the city.

The international gallery bridging contemporary artists and art history masters reopens in Milan: The Interview

Riapre a Milano la galleria internazionale che mette in dialogo artisti contemporanei e maestri della storia dell’arte. L’intervista

The artist-run space Octagon is set to establish a permanent home in Milan at Via Maroncelli 12, officially opening on April 15, 2026, during the city's Art Week. Founded by artist Jacopo Mazzetti in 2018, the gallery is transitioning from a nomadic model that saw recent collaborations in Paris and Athens to a fixed physical presence. The inaugural exhibition will feature works by the French Symbolist master Odilon Redon, maintaining the space's signature curatorial approach of bridging historical art with contemporary perspectives.

BmoreArt’s Picks: April 14-20

Baltimore’s art scene is hosting a dense schedule of events from April 14–20, 2026, featuring major lectures, exhibition openings, and multimedia performances. Highlights include a talk by Dr. Denise Murrell at the Baltimore Museum of Art regarding Matisse’s time in Martinique, a lecture on Afrofuturism by Dr. Myers Perry at Goucher College, and the opening of Douriean Fletcher’s jewelry exhibition at the Walters Art Museum. Other notable events include the "More Than Trust" group show at Design Distillery and the Baker Artist Award Finalist Showcase at Current Space.

MCA Chicago show explores the power of Dancehall and Reggaeton

The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago has launched "Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón," an interdisciplinary exhibition exploring the political and cultural impact of Caribbean music genres. Curated by Carla Acevedo-Yates, the show was inspired by the 2019 "perreo combativo" protests in Puerto Rico that led to the governor's resignation. The exhibition features a diverse array of media, including paintings by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Denzil Forrester, sculptures by Michael Richards, and archival materials like Dancehall posters and sound system equipment.

The Kaldea street-art exhibition at Espace Cinko plunges us into kawaii Japan — photos

French street artist Kaldea has unveiled a major solo exhibition titled "Identity" at Espace Cinko in Paris’s 2nd arrondissement. Hosted by Galerie Roussard, the immersive show transforms a 200-square-meter former printing press into a reconstructed Japanese landscape complete with sakura blossoms and paper lanterns. The exhibition features approximately forty works across five thematic narratives, ranging from porcelain animal figures to reimagined manga icons like Godzilla and Pikachu, blending Art Deco, futuristic, and Asian influences.

A Legacy of Fun & Focus: “Mini Art Museum” at the Contemporary at Blue Star, San Antonio

The Contemporary at Blue Star in San Antonio is hosting a retrospective of the "Mini Art Museum," a unique institution founded in 2013 by Mary Cantú and Gabriela Santiago. The exhibition features nearly 100 business-card-sized artworks by prominent local artists, presented within an immersive, miniature neighborhood installation. This showcase serves as a tribute to Cantú, a significant figure in the San Antonio art community who passed away in 2025.

Inverclyde amateur artists wow crowds with exhibition at Greenock art gallery

The InverArty collective, a group of ten local amateur artists from Inverclyde, has launched its debut exhibition at the Wyllieum art gallery in Greenock. Formed four years ago as a self-supporting community following the COVID-19 lockdowns, the group showcased a diverse range of works including landscapes, self-portraits, and mixed-media illustrations. The exhibition represents the culmination of years of weekly self-led classes and collaborative workshops.

Stella’s Art Gallery in Willoughby hosting a pair of shows

Stella’s Art Gallery in Willoughby, Ohio, is currently hosting two distinct exhibitions: "The Four Seasons," a juried show featuring local award winners like Anna Hsu and Tatiana Strelnikova, and "Unreal: 2 Visions," an abstract showcase in the Annex Gallery featuring artists Josh Chefitz and Gregory Johnson. Additionally, the gallery is preparing for its upcoming "Size Matters" small works exhibition in May, while the Willoughby Arts Collaborative has launched a call for artists to design local utility boxes.

Blue Sky Gallery Celebrates 50 Years of Photography in Portland

Blue Sky Gallery, a cornerstone of Portland’s photography scene, is celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout 2025. Founded in 1975 by five artists who pooled their unemployment checks to open a tiny storefront, the non-profit collective has since showcased over 1,000 photographers and expanded into a major space in the city's Pearl District. The milestone year includes a series of decade-focused exhibitions and a rooftop gala to honor its history as one of the oldest artist-run photography galleries in the United States.

Imbued, Between Flower and Wind: Lee Chae Solo Exhibition

South Korean artist Lee Chae will present a solo exhibition titled "Imbued, Between Flower and Wind" at Whitestone Gallery Taipei from April 11 to May 16, 2026. The show features new series including "Afterimage of Wind" and "Wind-Infused," which utilize metaphors of flora and wind to explore the relationship between external stimuli and the human inner soul. Lee’s technique involves layering translucent pigments and then wiping them away to create poetic afterimages that visualize the transformation of emotions over time.

A Place of Perpetual Warmth: Hyde Park Art Center and the Making of Chicago’s Creative Identity

The Hyde Park Art Center (HPAC) stands as a vital pillar of Chicago’s grassroots creative identity, serving for eighty-six years as an unpretentious alternative to the city's major encyclopedic museums. From its early days under curator Don Baum, the center became a catalyst for the avant-garde, famously launching the careers of the Chicago Imagists and the Hairy Who. Today, it continues to function as a multifaceted ecosystem that blends community education, artist residencies, and experimental exhibitions within a residential neighborhood setting.

Bologna's Most Vibrant Artist Collective Turns 10 and Launches Crowdfunding

Il collettivo di artisti più vivace di Bologna compie 10 anni e lancia un crowdfunding

The Bologna-based artist-run space Gelateria Sogni di Ghiaccio is celebrating its 10th anniversary by transitioning into a broader collective and launching a crowdfunding campaign. Founded in 2016 by artists Filippo Marzocchi, Mattia Pajè, and Marco Casella, the space has hosted nearly 150 artists and over 50 solo exhibitions, filling a critical gap between art education and professional practice in Italy.

The existential answers

Artist Ai Jing has launched a major solo exhibition titled "Walking in the Sun" at the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning. Curated by He Guiyan, the multidisciplinary showcase features music, painting, installation, sculpture, and video, all centered around the conceptual theme of "walking" as a philosophical journey. A centerpiece of the show involves a literal connection to the artist's roots, featuring 150 bags of black soil transported from her hometown of Shenyang to create an immersive installation exploring memory and belonging.

Evanston's Dittmar Gallery Hosts Community Art Exhibition 'I Was Here'

The Dittmar Memorial Gallery in Evanston is hosting 'I Was Here,' a community-driven exhibition running from April 9 to May 3, 2026. Curated by Jasmine Ametovski and Clare Kirwan, the show features 24 local artists utilizing diverse mediums such as sound, video, and beeswax to document their daily lives. The project prioritizes lived experience and personal encounters over traditional, academic studio practices.

What You Shouldn't Miss at Art Düsseldorf

Das sollten Sie auf der Art Düsseldorf nicht verpassen

The eighth edition of Art Düsseldorf is set to launch at the Areal Böhler with its most diverse lineup to date, featuring 119 galleries. This year's iteration marks a significant organizational shift with the appointment of Gilles Neiens as the fair's first Artistic Director, a role created to oversee the event's curatorial and programmatic direction. The fair continues to balance its strong regional roots in the Rhineland with an increasingly international selection of painting, sculpture, and experimental works.

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.

YBCA exhibitions spotlight identity, history and community in San Francisco

The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) in San Francisco recently celebrated the opening of two major exhibitions, "Diedrick Brackens: gather tender night" and "Conjuring Power: Roots & Futures of Queer & Trans Movements." The event drew over 1,000 attendees and featured leadership from the institution alongside the featured artists and curators.

Gadsden Arts Artist’s Guild On display through June 16, 2026

The Gadsden Arts Center & Museum in Quincy, Florida, is hosting its second Artists Guild exhibition of 2026. Running through June 16, the showcase features a diverse range of works by over thirty local artists, including John R. Isaacs, Jan Austin-Hicken, and Erika Zambello. The exhibition is staged across the museum’s Bates Community Room and Bates Gallery, offering a platform for regional talent to display their latest creative output.

ARTS AND HUMANITIES: Aiken Center for the Arts exhibition focuses on the shaping of identity

Artist Lucy Bailey is presenting a solo exhibition titled "Roots and Wings" at the Aiken Center for the Arts, running through April 29. The show features nearly 50 mixed-media works created on vintage early 20th-century infant gowns, exploring the complex origins of human identity through themes of genetics, genealogy, community, and nature. Bailey utilizes diverse materials—ranging from DNA-inspired patterns and family photographs to resin-dipped cicada wings—to symbolize the foundational "roots" of selfhood and the "wings" of individual expression.

This art exhibit takes climate change seriously

Ceramicists Savannah Jacob and Abby Jo Elle are co-curating "Respect Your Mother," a group exhibition at Patina Gallery dedicated to climate change and environmental activism. Opening in honor of Earth Day, the show features works from over 50 artists across various mediums, including sculptures, collages, and paintings, with a strict prohibition on artificial intelligence to emphasize human-centric craft.

Paris Internationale in Milan

Paris Internationale à Milan

Paris Internationale has announced its first-ever edition outside of France, scheduled to take place in Milan from April 18 to 21, 2026. Hosted at the Palazzo Galbani during Milano Art Week, the satellite fair will feature 34 galleries, including notable participants such as Jocelyn Wolff, Kaufmann Repetto, Luisa Delle Piane, and Sylvia Kouvali.

Wadsworth Atheneum showcases Connecticut’s role in nation’s founding ahead of America 250

The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford is launching a series of major exhibitions to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Key highlights include the "Radical Roots" exhibition, which explores Connecticut’s pivotal role in the development of American democracy, and a collaborative project with the Amistad Center for Art and Culture titled "Framing American Democracy." These showcases utilize the museum's vast collection of 50,000 works to trace the nation's history from the 1600s to the present day.