Leading the art news everywhere today is the remarkable story about returning a long-lost painting by Jacob Lawrence from the “American Struggle” series to its family—and to the exhibition of the extant works currently on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

A recent visitor to the show noticed the wall label stating that this piece had been lost; there was no photograph of it, but the description made her think that it was owned by her neighbors. When she returned to her apartment, she contacted them and suggested that they get in touch with the museum. Below: Technicians installing the recently located Jacob Lawrence panel at the Met on Wednesday.Credit...Jeenah Moon for The New York Times

“The painting has been hanging in my living room for 60 years untouched,” one of the painting’s owners said, adding that she bought it with her husband when she was 27, as reported by The New York Times. She said she has always loved Lawrence’s work and is happy to share it.

Yesterday, the painting—number 16 from the series, titled “Shay’s Rebellion”, was installed at The Met where it will remain on view through November 1 before traveling to venues in Birmingham, Seattle, and Washington, DC. Read the entire story here Read about the exhibition in DART

The Whitney Museum of American Art presents Mutualities, the first solo show in New York of work by Cauleen Smith (b.1967), on view through the end of January 2021. Two of her films, Sojourner and Pilgrim—each in a newly created installation environment—along with a new group of drawings collectively titledFirespitters, draw on experimental film, non-Western cosmologies, poetry, and science fiction to reflect Smith’s views on memory and Afro-diasporic histories. Tickets The Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort Street, NY, NY Info

This just in: Sculptors Alliance is now offering remote courses — held live online, for sculptors who want to hone their skills, improve their professional practice, and even for non-sculptors who want to begin working in 3D. Teaching Artists will do demos, lectures, critiques, discussions, at-home assignments, to guide, challenge and help students improve their work. Fall Session: October 26th - December 18th 2020. Each course has a different schedule. All courses have a total of 12 hours of Live Online Instructed time. Info @sculptors.alliance

Solitude is fine, but you need someone to tell you that solitude is fine.—Honore de Balzac
My thoughts exactly, so I was delighted by this announcement that arrived in today’s inbox: In the midst of a pandemic we came to realize how much we miss things that comfort us— the desire to touch another human being, to share our home with friends and to live in a happier world.  In times of despair we have been saved by Humanity's most faithful allies: Goodness, Empathy and Love—once more we must call them to stand by our side. Once again, during the time of cascading uncertainties, we cling to what is precious and moves us so deeply— the infinite creativity, beauty and the wisdom of the human spirit.
A Room of Your Own, with works by Natsuki Takauji, Haksul Lee, Aura Naujokaitis, Sigita Rucinskaite-Praneviciane, Shantel Rose Miller , Peter Pacheco, and Bruna D’Alessandro, continues at SLA Art Space, 307 West 30^th Street, through November 25. Visiting hours are Fridays and Saturdays, 4-7 pm. Masks and social distancing are required; hand sanitizer is provided. Photo above courtesy of Natsuki Takauji

For many people, connecting with Nature becomes more important than ever during uncertain times. If going for a hike is not possible, visiting a wooded park can be a panacea. Even reading a landmark book, such as Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring brings awareness of where we might find ourselves in the future. 

For now, two photography shows, open live, have much to offer.

Reported by WhiteHot: Canadian artist Dominique Paul works in both Montreal and New York. Her show, “Silent Spring,” visually reiterates the prophetic truth of Rachel Carson’s book of the same name, in which the writer outlines the eventual decline and extinction of birds and other species facing the use of pesticides. This prophecy has become tragically true, and Paul’s wall reliefs, constructed from acrylic and photographic collages of birds and insects, along with the bling we associate with fashionable society--watches and jewelry--comment poignantly on the increasingly fatal destruction of wildlife. Above: Dominique Paul, Insects of Surinam 35, 2019; photo courtesy of Miyako Yoshinaga

Dominique Paul | Silent Spring continues through November 21 at Miyako Yoshinaga, 4 East 64th Street, NY, NY Info

Opening tonight, reception until 8pm: Sarah Anne Johnson | Woodland. Yossi Milo Gallery, 245 Tenth Avenue, NY, NY Info