Our pick of the best museum and gallery shows to see in Chicago this spring

Chicago’s spring art season features a diverse array of exhibitions, highlighted by Dabin Ahn’s solo debut at Document, which explores memory and grief through fractured canvases and Korean ceramics. The Art Institute of Chicago is hosting a tribute to the late Lucas Samaras, showcasing his experimental Polaroid self-portraiture, while the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA) launches an ambitious group show examining the political and cultural impact of dancehall and reggaetón.

Pilar Corrias now represents Alexis Ralaivao

London gallery Pilar Corrias has announced the representation of French painter Alexis Ralaivao in partnership with New York-based Olney Gleason. The announcement coincides with Ralaivao’s debut UK solo exhibition, "Flirter avec l’abstrait," which is currently on view at the gallery’s Conduit Street location in Mayfair. Ralaivao is recognized for his intimate, diaristic oil paintings that blend 17th-century Dutch technical precision with contemporary emotional depth.

Jeamin Cha wins Hermès Foundation Missulsang

Jeamin Cha wins Hermès Foundation Missulsang

Korean media artist Jeamin Cha has been awarded the 21st Missulsang prize by the Hermès Foundation. She will receive KRW 30 million and production support for a solo exhibition at Atelier Hermès in Seoul, opening in May 2027.

A new Istanbul gallery is offering an outlet for Iran’s artists

Shiva Zahed Gallery has opened in Istanbul’s Pera district, specifically dedicated to showcasing Iranian contemporary art. The gallery's inaugural exhibition, "Echoes," features works by the influential artist Fereydoun Ave and installation artist Shaqayeq Arabi. The opening was significantly delayed and reconfigured after civil unrest in Iran and a communication blackout prevented the founder from coordinating with the 20 emerging artists originally scheduled for the debut.

Frank O’Hara’s Curatorial Eye

The article examines the largely overlooked curatorial work of poet Frank O'Hara during his tenure at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It details his role in organizing significant exhibitions, championing emerging artists like Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns, and his influential collaborations with artists such as Larry Rivers.

The Best Booths at Art Basel Hong Kong, From AI Magical Girls to Asia’s Unsung Masters

Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 showcased a vibrant array of talent, with standout presentations across its curated sectors like Discoveries and Insights. Highlights included Vin Gallery's ceramic skeleton shadow puppets by Ako Goto, Lucie Chang Fine Arts' case for the late painter Zhu Xinjian, and gdm's pairing of Kongkee's lightbox sculptures with abstract works by Thai modernist Tang Chang. The fair also featured a monumental, self-sabotaged neon sign by Kongkee reading "Price / Value."

The Big Ideas Driving Art Paris This Year

Art Paris 2026 will take place from April 9–12 at the Grand Palais, featuring two major curated themes: "Babel – Art and Language in France," guest-curated by Loïc Le Gall, and "Reparation," curated by Alexia Fabre. The fair will include roughly 165 galleries, with sectors like Promises for emerging artists, Solo Show for monographic presentations, and French Design Art Edition.

At the Every Woman Biennial, Joy Becomes a Form of Resistance

The sixth edition of the Every Woman Biennial opened at New York's Pen + Brush gallery, featuring hundreds of works by women and nonbinary artists in a densely hung, salon-style exhibition. The event, which began as a one-night pop-up in 2014, has grown into a major intergenerational showcase, mixing emerging artists with established names like Swoon and Mickalene Thomas, and includes performances and installations.

Pharmakon at Galerie Chantal Crousel

A major group exhibition titled *Pharmakon* has opened at Galerie Chantal Crousel in Paris, featuring works by over twenty international artists. The show includes both historical and contemporary figures, from Marcel Broodthaers and Felix Gonzalez-Torres to emerging artists, exploring the dual nature of substances that can be both remedy and poison. It presents a diverse range of media, including painting, sculpture, and installation, curated around this central, ambiguous theme.

At the Galleries for March 26, 2026

The Hamptons art scene is hosting a diverse array of exhibitions this March, ranging from intimate solo shows to expansive group surveys. Key highlights include Cait Porter’s still-life explorations of grief at Halsey McKay Gallery, Bruce Mermelstein’s photography retrospective at Southampton Town Hall, and a music-centric exhibition at ARDT Gallery featuring works by Kim Simmonds and David Edward Byrd. Other notable shows include "The Light of Awakening" at LTV Studios and a contemporary narrative group show at Slattery Gallery that pairs emerging artists with blue-chip masters like Picasso and de Kooning.

Bridgeport Gallery Hosts Emerging Artists, Brings in ‘Big Deal’ Curator for October Show

Artist Linda Colletta has transformed her studio practice within Bridgeport’s historic American Fabric Arts building, a former lace factory, by blending painting with labor-intensive weaving. Drawing inspiration from the site’s industrial history and the teachings of Bauhaus artist Anni Albers, Colletta repurposes drop cloths and tears apart her own canvases to weave them back together. Her recent work explores the materiality of paint and the concept of "Thought Forms," a visual language for emotions influenced by early 20th-century Theosophy.

Showcasing lasting art

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Crossman Gallery recently hosted the BA & BSE Senior Show, a showcase of diverse artworks created by graduating students. The exhibition featured a wide range of mediums, including photography, painting, sculpture, and print design, highlighting the creative versatility of the senior class. The event served as a professional milestone for students, allowing them to navigate the gallery submission process and network with faculty and the community.

Ashland University senior art exhibition opens April 9

Ashland University is set to host its annual Senior Art and Design Exhibition at the Coburn Gallery, running from April 9 through May 9, 2026. The showcase features the capstone projects of graduating seniors and kicks off with an opening reception where student awards will be officially announced.

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.

Butler Art exhibit empowers disabled artist community

The Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio, recently hosted the opening reception for the 31st annual Accessible Expressions Ohio (AEO) exhibition. Featuring over 50 works by artists with disabilities from across the state, the event included live music from The Feral Cats and workshops for the Remember Love Recovery Project. The exhibition, which runs through June 7, showcases winners across various categories including youth, professional, and emerging artists.

At MoMA, Duchamp Vanishes Into the Shadow of His Own Legend

EXPO Chicago 2026 serves as the backdrop for a series of compelling exhibitions across the city, ranging from Josh Brainin’s frantic two-channel video installation at Tala to a group show at the Chicago Cultural Center exploring the city's physical and social infrastructure. These curated highlights showcase a mix of local talent and conceptual rigor, emphasizing Chicago's diverse contemporary art landscape during the major international fair.

The MEGA Fair-Exhibition Opens in a Former Milanese Factory: Photos and 5 Must-See Booths

In ex fabbrica di Milano ha aperto la mostra-fiera MEGA. Tutte le foto e 5 stand da non mancare

The third edition of MEGA Art Fair has opened in Milan, relocating to SPAZIO PROFUMO, a former perfume factory in the Barona district. Running from April 15 to 25, 2026, the event strategically bridges Milan Art Week and Design Week, featuring over 30 international exhibitors from Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Eschewing traditional booth structures, the fair utilizes a cohesive curatorial layout that integrates industrial archaeology with contemporary practices, including a dedicated video program and a section titled 'City of Glass.'

Annual Juried Art Shows: How to Get Seen in Texas

Texas's art landscape is increasingly defined by its robust circuit of annual juried exhibitions, which serve as vital entry points for emerging artists. These recurring events, such as Lawndale’s The Big Show and Craighead Green Gallery’s New Texas Talent, provide a platform for artists to have their work reviewed by guest curators, museum professionals, and gallerists, often leading to formal representation or solo exhibition opportunities.

What Future for Art Centers?

Quel avenir pour les centres d’art ?

The article examines the uncertain future of contemporary art centers in France, a category that encompasses vastly different institutions from major venues like the Palais de Tokyo to smaller regional spaces. These non-collecting institutions, dedicated to exhibiting emerging artists and experimentation, face fragility due to heavy reliance on local government funding and difficulty proving their utility to elected officials. Their core mission is further challenged by more robust regional contemporary art funds (Fracs), which have greater resources for similar goals of exhibiting ultra-contemporary art and cultural democratization.

Creativity in Culmination: Senior Art Exhibit & Reception

Wittenberg University’s Art Department recently debuted "Prologue to Somewhere," a senior thesis exhibition held in the Ann Miller and Thompson Galleries. The showcase features diverse works from nine graduating seniors, ranging from traditional oil painting and stoneware ceramics to digital media, photography, and interactive video game design. Notable projects include Francesca Heidinger’s Pink Floyd-inspired abstract paintings, Kris Such’s queer horror comic concept art, and Molly Kirkpatrick’s mental health-focused digital experience.

58th Annual Juried Undergraduate Exhibition showcases WCU student artists

The WCU Fine Art Museum recently hosted its 58th Annual Juried Undergraduate Exhibition, featuring works by 25 student artists across various media including video, sculpture, and photography. Juried by artist Tracy Templeton, the showcase highlighted technical skill and personal expression, with top honors going to James Wood Boone for his time-based media piece "The Caretaker" and Valeria Enid Ramos for her portraiture.

Indonesia Returns to Venice Biennale for 2026 Edition

Indonesia will return to the Venice Biennale in 2026 after a six-year absence. The national pavilion, titled "Printing the Unprinted," will be curated by Aminudin TH Siregar and will feature archival materials alongside works by 14 emerging artists, aiming to explore the country's cultural identity and art history.

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.

Museum of the African Diaspora Marks 10 Years of Its Emerging Artists Program

The Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) in San Francisco is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Emerging Artists Program (EAP) by announcing its 2026-2027 cohort. Selected from hundreds of applicants, Bay Area artists Jasmine Ross, Demetri Broxton, Dorian Reid, and Tahirah Rasheed will each receive a fully supported solo exhibition at the museum. The program, which has supported 30 artists since 2015, provides crucial institutional backing, including curatorial guidance and production resources, to creatives at pivotal career moments.

Photo: Juried Student Art Exhibit opens at MSU Billings on Thursday

Montana State University Billings is launching its annual Juried Student Art Exhibition at the Northcutt Steele Gallery. The exhibition, which features works selected from the student body, officially opens this Thursday and will be celebrated with a formal reception and awards ceremony on April 16th.

“Do it together”: Fine Arts seniors pair to explore presence, reflection in senior show

Emporia State University seniors Sydney Hickman and Michael Kidwell debuted their collaborative Bachelor of Fine Arts senior exhibition, "All That Remains," at the Eppink Art Gallery. The show features a dialogue between Hickman’s quilt-inspired ceramics and mosaics, which explore domesticity and femininity, and Kidwell’s nature-oriented paintings and wood displays that reflect on his Kansas upbringing and identity.

Franklin College presents senior art exhibition, music concerts

Franklin College is set to showcase the creative achievements of its graduating class through a series of public art and music events this April. The programming includes a senior art exhibition on April 20 featuring five student artists, alongside two chamber music concerts scheduled for April 14 and 16. These events will take place across the Johnson Center for Fine Arts and the Custer Theatre, highlighting the diverse talents of students specializing in studio art, graphic design, and vocal and instrumental performance.

Franklin College presents senior art exhibition, music concerts

Franklin College is set to showcase the creative achievements of its graduating seniors through a series of public art and music events this April. The programming includes a senior art exhibition on April 20 featuring five student artists, alongside two chamber concerts scheduled for April 14 and 16. The art exhibition, held at the Johnson Center for Fine Arts, highlights diverse works from studio art, graphic design, and art therapy majors.

'Held in Motion': Emerging artists explore identity

Sanat Art Gallery in Karachi has launched "Held in Motion," a group exhibition featuring emerging artists Behzad Ahmed Warsi, Laiba Abid, Ronaque Ali, and Shahzad Baloch. The showcase utilizes diverse mediums, including oil on canvas and watercolor, to explore themes of human identity, social fluidity, and the preservation of memory. From Abid’s blurred portraits of the multifaceted self to Ali’s nostalgic documentation of disappearing rural traditions, the collection emphasizes the subjective nature of the human experience.

Opening reception for Santa Fe College juried student art show is April 17

Santa Fe College is set to host its annual Student Juried Art Exhibition, featuring a selection of the finest works produced by its Fine Arts students. The show opens with a reception on April 17 at the Northwest Campus gallery in Gainesville, showcasing between 70 and 100 pieces across mediums including painting, photography, and ceramics. Guest juror Carly Shooster will select the top prize winners from a pool of over 300 initial submissions.