World’s Largest Representational Art Competition 🏆, Legionella Detected at the Met 🚰, Paper Towel Realism 🧻
And other stories from this week in the realism art movement
🌟 Mainstream
Bacteria Linked to Legionnaires Detected at Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has detected traces of Legionella bacteria, linked to a recent Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Manhattan. The museum, which typically closes on Wednesdays, will use the day for cleaning and follow-up testing. Health officials are investigating the outbreak’s source, which has affected 49 individuals, with no reported deaths.
A horde of golden mini-Mozarts marks 270 years since the composer’s birth in Salzburg
Salzburg celebrates the 270th birthday of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with the unveiling of 300 gold-colored statuettes designed by German artist Ottmar Hörl. The statues, depicting Mozart with his dog Pimperl, aim to highlight the composer’s human side and attract a wider audience to his music. While 400 statues were created, only 300 are currently on display, with some already stolen shortly after the unveiling.
👩🎨 Artist Features
Storytelling with Dimeji Onafuwa
North Carolina-based artist Dimeji Onafuwa is featured as this month’s “One to Watch” on Saatchi Art for his striking portraiture that emphasizes figures against vibrant, simplified backgrounds. His work, influenced by both African and American artistic traditions, explores themes of identity and emotional connection, capturing the viewer’s attention with bold colors and strong lighting. Dimeji aims to make his art accessible, with upcoming displays in prominent locations like Times Square, and aspires to exhibit at Art Basel and gain recognition in major museum collections.
Cocoa Plantations Set the Scene for Divine Events in Marc Padeu’s ‘Memento Vivere’
Artist Marc Padeu’s new exhibition, Memento Vivere, opens tomorrow at Larkin Durey and explores humanity’s complex relationship with time. Inspired by philosopher Lucius Seneca’s writings, Padeu’s works blend scenes of daily life with Renaissance themes, particularly in the piece “La promesse et l’agneau,” which depicts family and community ties in his native Cameroon. The exhibition runs from July 17 to August 14 in London and emphasizes the importance of cherishing life’s fleeting moments.
Trompe-L’œil Paintings by Jason Limon Reveal a Hidden Skeletal World
Artist Jason Limon explores themes of life after death through vibrant, vintage-inspired illustrations that conceal a three-dimensional world of skeletons. Based in San Antonio, Limon employs a trompe-l’œil technique, incorporating torn elements to reveal hidden layers in his recent works, allowing for greater experimentation. His approach combines personal experience with a playful tone, as he aims to merge different aspects of his artistic identity in future creations.
Helena Minginowicz Transforms Humble Paper Towel into Ethereal Paintings
Artist Helena Minginowicz explores value and disposability through her paintings that feature everyday items like paper towels and plastic bags. By using airbrushed acrylic to transform these materials into significant objects displayed in acrylic slabs, she questions societal hierarchies of value and who deserves recognition. Her upcoming solo exhibition at Galerie Prima in Paris opens on October 8, where she continues to blend Renaissance styles with contemporary themes of dignity for all individuals.\
🖼 Shows
OPA 35th National Exhibition Now On View
The Oil Painters of America (OPA) has opened its 35th National Exhibition at the Steamboat Art Museum, featuring 215 select works from approximately 1,800 submissions by its artist-members, including 24 from Colorado. The exhibition highlights contemporary oil paintings that reflect the ongoing tradition of the medium. Concurrently, OPA member Chula Beauregard presents a solo show at the nearby Tread of Pioneers Museum, documenting her year-long exploration of Routt County ranches through plein air studies and larger studio works.
🎨 Learn
ILLUSTRATION ART: TRIBUTE TO AN ILLUSTRATED BOOK, part 3
“The False Gods,” illustrated by J.C. Leyendecker in 1906, captured the public’s imagination during a period of growing interest in ancient Egypt, just before the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. The book filled gaps in knowledge by relying on artists to create visions of the past, as facts were scarce. Leyendecker’s illustrations merged ancient design elements with realism, making them more dynamic than typical Orientalist depictions, while also marking a significant moment in the evolution of illustrated storytelling in magazines like the Saturday Evening Post.
Can Art Make You Healthier? These 10 Artists Think So
Hospital Rooms, a U.K. charity that integrates contemporary art into NHS mental health facilities, celebrates its 10th anniversary with the initiative “10 Posters for 10 Years.” Ten prominent artists, including Beatriz Milhazes and Yinka Shonibare, have donated limited-edition posters that will be distributed to over 1,000 NHS mental health hospitals in England. The campaign aims to enhance the therapeutic environment of psychiatric units and will also sell the posters to the public to fund future projects, highlighting the growing recognition of art’s positive impact on mental health.
AI Art Generators and the Art Experience
Contemporary artist Anthony Waichulis explores the intersection of art and AI technology, arguing that while AI-generated images can elicit aesthetic responses, they lack the human virtuosity intrinsic to traditional art. He emphasizes that art is an experiential phenomenon shaped by both the intrinsic properties of the artwork and the extrinsic beliefs of the observer. Waichulis encourages artists to consider how AI tools may enhance their creative processes, but he cautions that reliance on such technology could alter perceptions of artistic difficulty and value.
💼 Opportunities
Exhibition of World’s Largest Representational Art Competition Opens Soon
From July 17 to July 27, 2026, Sotheby’s New York will host an exhibition featuring nearly 100 winning works from the Art Renewal Center’s (ARC) 17th and 18th International ARC Salon Competitions, showcasing the best of 21st-century representational art. The exhibition, which includes over 8,500 artworks from 87 countries, will also feature a benefit auction with 46 pieces available for bidding to support the ARC’s cultural initiatives. Events during the exhibition will include artist meet-and-greets and a special showcase where fashion designers create outfits inspired by the art, highlighting the significance of Contemporary Realism in today’s artistic landscape.
I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Classical Realist.
Best regards,
Fletcher Graham