Vasari Codex. A living chronicle of the art world.

article local schedule May 17, 2026

L.A. County Fair 2026: Playful art exhibit was curated in a mad rush

Two local artists, Keith Ballard and Rebecca Ustrell of the collective Claremont Temporary, were invited by L.A. County Fair officials in late January to curate an art exhibit at the Millard Sheets Art Center. With only two months to organize, they assembled "Play Pavilion," a community-driven show featuring 63 artists from the Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley, including notable names like Chicano graffiti pioneer Chaz Bojórquez and album cover designer John Van Hamersveld. The exhibit runs through May 31 at the fair, which has the theme "Play Your Way."

article local schedule May 6, 2026

Claremont Lewis Museum of Art’s Project ARTstART presents exhibit of children’s art

The Claremont Lewis Museum of Art is presenting the 15th annual "ARTstART: StART It Up!" exhibition from May 8-10, featuring artwork created by elementary school students from all seven Claremont elementary schools. The show, curated by high school participants in the museum's Project ARTstART program, includes collages, sculptures, paintings, and works on paper, and will be held at the Ginger Elliott Exhibition Center in Memorial Park. The exhibition also includes hands-on art-making activities for visitors.

article local schedule Apr 23, 2026

Open Art Gallery coming to Saluda on May 1

Open Art Gallery will open its doors on May 1, 2026, at 32 West Main Street, Unit C, in Saluda. Owner Hector DelCampo, a silhouette artist who moved to the area three years ago, is launching the space to foster community and showcase local talent. The inaugural featured artist is 15-year-old Sila, whose vibrant works will be on display. The grand opening runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with refreshments and meet-the-artist opportunities.

article local schedule Apr 16, 2026

Diverse Materials and Perspectives in Upstairs Artspace’s Two Spring Shows

Upstairs Artspace in Tryon is launching two concurrent exhibitions, "Fight or Flight" and "Birds of a Feather," opening April 19. The solo show by Asheville-based artist Erika Diamond features textile sculptures crafted from bulletproof Kevlar and mirrored vinyl, exploring themes of queer safety, resilience, and survival. The accompanying group show, curated by Diamond, brings together eight artists whose works in photography, glass, and painting examine identity and the human body's relationship to the natural world.

trending_up market schedule Apr 10, 2026

Gerd Harry Lybke, from artist’s model to gallery founder in East Germany showing in Mallorca

Gerd Harry ‘Judy’ Lybke, the founder of the influential German gallery Eigen + Art, is making his debut at the inaugural Art Cologne Palma Mallorca. Lybke, who began his career as a nude artist's model in East Germany before opening an underground flat-gallery in 1983, reflects on the evolution of the art market from a socialist system defined by censorship to the modern capitalist landscape. For this fair, he is presenting a diverse roster ranging from New Leipzig School star Neo Rauch to emerging talent Maja Behrmann, with works priced between €2,000 and €20,000.

museum exhibitions schedule Apr 2, 2026

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.

article local schedule Jan 30, 2026

Salon-style art exhibition showing at Upstairs Artspace in February

Upstairs Artspace in Tryon, North Carolina, has opened its second biennial Salon d’Upstairs exhibition. The show features over 100 works by more than 70 local artists, ranging from high school students to professionals, displayed in a dense, salon-style format. The exhibition serves as both a community engagement initiative and a fundraiser, with sales proceeds split between the artists and the gallery.