Experience the wonder of nature through the eyes of artists. Look closely at art depicting insects and other animals alongside real specimens.

Art played a pivotal role during the dawn of European natural history in the 16th and 17th centuries. Advancements in scientific technology, trade, and colonial expansion allowed naturalists to study previously unknown and overlooked insects, animals, and other beestjes, or “little beasts.”  Artists such as Joris Hoefnagel and Jan van Kessel helped deepen and spread knowledge of these creatures with highly detailed and playful works that inspired generations of printmakers, painters, decorative artists, and naturalists.

A delight for all ages, this exhibition features nearly 75 of these paintings, prints, and drawings in a unique presentation alongside specimens and taxidermy from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Learn about the rich exchange between artists and naturalists that sparked a fascination with earth’s living creatures, big and small.

The exhibition runs from May 18 – November 2, 2025 at the National Gallery of Art, Constitution Ave NW, Washington D.C.

For more information, please click here.  

Visit the ARC Calendar for more.

This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the world of Victorian art. By engaging the sense of smell, visitors will gain a new appreciation for the artists' intentions and the cultural context in which they created their works. From stench as disease to the scent of rainbows, discover how Victorian ideas around smell inform the meanings of paintings, in surprising ways.

Works of renowned artists such as Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale, John Frederick Lewis, John Everett Millais, Evelyn De Morgan, G F Watts, Simeon Solomon, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti will be on display.

The exhibition takes place at the Watts Gallery Artists’ Village, Down Lane, Compton, GU3 1DQ, UK from May 15 – November 9. 2025.

To learn more, click here.  

For more events and exhibitions, visit the ARC Calendar.

Self-portraiture—an exploration of identity, self-expression, and artistic mastery. Paper/Mirror/Paper brings together the work of FAA alumni, each artist reflecting on their own image on paper. From traditional drawing techniques in charcoal and graphite to the tactile richness of printmaking, this exhibition offers a diverse and personal approach to the timeless theme of self-representation.

The online exhibition, now live the FAA website, spans the spectrum from classical to contemporary. Select works will be shown in-person at the FAA Gallery located 293 Via Aretina, Firenze 50136, Italy, from May 9 – 30, 2025. This exhibition is a celebration of the unique ways in which their alumni engage with their craft, offering insight into their personal and artistic growth.

Click here to learn more. 

Visit the ARC Calendar for more events and exhibitions.

The Space Gallery is proud to launch its first solo exhibit for one of this era’s leading realist painters, Max Ginsburg. His work speaks to our humanity with honesty and heart. The exhibit will feature a selection of his important works along with more intimate portraits and demos that he has painted over the years.

The opening reception will be held on Friday May 16 from 5 – 8 pm.  It is free and open to the public, and RSVP is preferred although not necessary.

Max will be offering a painting demo and talk about his life and work on Thursday evening, May 22 from 7 – 9:30 pm. Whether you are an artist or not, this opportunity to watch Max paint from a live model will be a real treat. There is a $10 suggested donation for those who are able to support, otherwise it is free to attend.

There will also be a week-long painting workshop from June 2 – 6. This is a rare opportunity to study with Max up close and to dive deep into your craft. Details and registration for the workshop and demo are available here.  

The exhibition runs from May 16 – June 15, 20225 at The Space, 356 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ, 07042.

To learn more, click here.  

For more events, visit the ARC Calendar.

Join Ramiro Sánchez, Painting Director at the Florence Academy of Art, for an unparalleled portrait workshop that blends classical mastery with modern techniques.

Portrait with hands represents the pinnacle of artistic achievement at the Florence Academy of Art, combining the complexity of facial expression with the subtlety of hand gestures to convey profound emotion and narrative. Under the expert guidance of Ramiro Sánchez, Painting Director of the Florence Academy, students will master this intricate art form through a structured, in-depth approach that bridges tradition and innovation.

The workshop takes place August 18-22, 2025 from 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM at Miami International Fine Arts, 5900 Northwest 74th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33166.

Fee: $1,350.00

Secure your spot now and elevate your skills.  https://mifamiami.com/workshops-1

Join Grand Central Atelier on Thursday May 15,  2025 at 6:00 PM at the Salmagundi Club on 5th Avenue in New York, NY, USA. View the best student drawing, painting and sculpture displayed salon-style in the Salmagundi Club Parlor Gallery. Enjoy a glass of wine and congratulate the graduates!

Expect to encounter a high degree of naturalism and masterful dedication to the craft. Select works are for sale.

For more information, click here.  

To learn about other upcoming events and exhibitions, please visit the ARC Calendar.

The third Monacelli Studio title from ARC Living Master Juliette Aristides, The Inner Life of the Artist contains a series of short, insightful essays and significant, meaningful quotes by contemporary and historical artists, each accompanied by a moving and inspiring selection of nearly 100 artworks from the past and present. For those interested in drawing, painting, and other art forms, important principles of Atelier teaching (classical and traditional art training and instruction) and fun practical exercises are applied throughout, with an emphasis on cultivating the artistic mind, along with the hand and the eye. Presented in a visually arresting compact package and wrapped in a cerulean cloth case, this is the perfect book to inspire creative thinkers.

To purchase a copy from Amazon, click here.

ARC is pleased to welcome the newest Aristides Atelier to our ARC Approved® school list.

 The Aristides Atelier is a sequential and comprehensive program provided to a small community of aspiring artists in an online platform.  
 
Students and instructors work together, taking incremental steps to build the skills necessary to create successful art. In this way, artists of the past gained mastery of the material, and by following in their path, students gain artistic freedom. 

For more information, please click here.

The Master of Arts in Studio Art at The Florence Academy of Art is uniquely crafted for art educators seeking professional development while advancing their personal artistic skills.

Through flexible, summer-only sessions (in-person or remote), you can complete your degree without disrupting your current commitments.

The MA program consists of 30 credits of full-time study, entirely studio-based, and completed over 3 summer sessions. Each summer session is 5 weeks in duration. Students may choose to complete all 3 summer sessions in person at our facilities in Jersey City and Florence, Italy, or attend up to 2 out of the 3 summer sessions remotely. All students are encouraged to attend the third summer session and graduation ceremony at The Florence Academy of Art's magnificent campus in Florence, Italy.

The Master of Arts in Studio Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

For more information: https://www.florenceacademyofart.edu/academics-graduate-programs/master-of-arts-in-studio-art/