SEE & BE SEEN: Spring Views and Reads!
- Maryam Marne Zafar
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
Updated: May 1
Spring 2026 and the art world is buzzing with activity! From quirky to classical, painting to mixed media, art exhibitions are offering insight, that challenge our perspectives of why art is important and also, is this art (a question that some of us do ask when confronted with work that seems to be "not art"). Whether we go local, wander the U.S. or explore abroad, Mia Guides love to broaden our minds and hearts. As always, I have included some art book reads (and mysteries!) to keep us occupied during our travels!
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, New York City, NY
Raphael: Sublime Poetry
Through June 28
Revolution!
Through August 2
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, New York City, NY
Marcel Duchamp
Through August 22
AMERICAN FOLK ART MUSEUM, New York City, NY
Through September 13
CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS, Corning, NY
Tough Stuff: Women in the American Glass Movement
Opens May 16, 2026
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART, Boston, MA
Derrick Adams
Through September 7, 2026
NEW BRITAIN MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, New Britain, CT
John Hitchock: We are defined by the Beat
Opens May 16
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, Chicago, IL
Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaeton
Through September 20
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART Cleveland, OH
Manet & Morisot
Through July 5
DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS, Detroit, MI
Caravaggio’s Models
Opened March 21
MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF ART, Jackson, MS
Coulter Fussell: The Proving Ground
Through June 14
SPEED ART MUSEUM, Louisville, KY
Abstract Expressionists: The Women
Opens May 16
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, St. Petersburg, FL
Ali Banisadr: The Alchemist
Through July 12
PHOENIX ART MUSEUM, Phoenix, AZ
Colorwear: A Kaleidoscope of Fashion
Through August 1
NEW MEXICO MUSEUM OF ART, Santa Fe, NM
Rooted Strong: Visions of America from New Mexico
Through September 7
DENVER ART MUSEUM, Denver, CO
Knife Fork Spoon: Everyday Tools, Extraordinary Design
Opens May 17
PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM, Palm Springs, CA
A Queer Arcana: Art, Magic, and Spirit
Through October 18
LEGION OF HONOR, San Francisco, CA
The Etruscans: From the Heart of Ancient Italy
Opens May 3
SEATTLE ART MUSEUM, Seattle, WA
Monochrome: Calder and Tara Donovan
Opens May 13
LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART (LACMA), Los Angeles, CA
David Geffen Galleries Grand Opening!
Opens May 3
RIJKSMUSEUM, Amsterdam, NL
Metamorphoses
Through May 25
NEUE NATIONALGALERIE, Berlin, GE
Brancusi
Through August 9
PALAZZO STROZZI, Florence, IT
Rothko in Florence
Through August 234
MUSEO TAMAYO ARTE CONTEMPORÁNEO Mexico City, MX
The Gesture and The Invisible
Through July 26
Interesting. Enlightening: My Reads for Spring
Modern Japanese Printmaking
Publisher: Prestel
Japanese printmakers created a sensation in the late 19th century as they influenced Western masters such as Van Gogh, Munch and others. This book provides a sequel and introduces the the breakthrough traditions they pioneered .
Making Art and Making a Living
Publisher: Celadon
Art for art’s sake is a noble idea, however even poets and artists must buy groceries! This book showcases the how funding one’s dream can be an issue yet details the many ways that an artist can make it happen.
Memoir of a Collection: Finding Meaning through Art
Publisher: Rizzoli
A book of illustrated essays, the author, Steven Kasher turns the lens on himself, examining 30-odd artworks from his own collection and exploring his personal relationship to them. It’s an invitation, Kasher says “to look at the images around you, to ask what they mean to you, and to discover what they reveal about who you are.”
E is for Edward: A Centennial Celebration of the Mischievous Mind of Edward Gorey
Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal
A must-have for fans of self-illustrated books in the mode of Edward Lear’s “nonsense”, or Tim Burton’s Goth-graphics. E is for Edward is a beautiful survey of Gorey’s exquisite art, uncanny characters and surreal narratives alongside previously unseen archive material.
I Am You
Publisher: SLP Lit
A vibrant depiction of Amsterdam’s golden age, filled with conspicuous consumption and even more conspicuous artistic rivalries.
Mona’s Eyes
Publisher: Europa Editions
Mona’s Eyes is about the beautiful unique relationship that a grandfather and granddaughter build with each other by observing one work of art each week for a year. A book to savor as we take this memorable journey with Mona.
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