Welcome, September!
We’ve been waiting for your cooler weather! But, no matter what the weather brings, this month is positively packed full of ARTful experiences:
IMAGE: “Bocce Ball,” by Jack Decoteau, at Bruno David Gallery
After the long, hot summer, Bruno David Gallery reopens September 4 to inaugurate its 22nd season with four solo exhibitions by Thomas Sleet: Down the River/Prayer is a Verb; Frank Schwaiger: Alchemy, A Brush with the Universal; Jean Mason: Hopes, Dreams & Reality; and Jack Decoteau: Droll. All on view through October 31 at 7513 Forsyth. www.brunodavidgallery.com
Contemporary Art Museum (3750 Washington) unveils its Fall/Winter Exhibitions on September 10. And what a lineup it is!
CAM’s first museum survey exhibition, Ayana Evans: Nobody’s Gonna Love You the Way I Do, focuses on the Brooklyn-based artist and performer. In addition, Counterpublic 2026: Coyote Time presents works by two artists.
Ferguson-born artist Juanita McNeely (1936–2023) dedicated more than five decades to painting, drawing, and ceramics, developing a frank and unflinching visual language centered on the body as a site of vulnerability, desire, and resilience. This, her first-ever solo exhibition in her hometown, features a 13-panel painting merging human and animal forms.
Since the 1980s, Tony Cokes has developed a visual language all his own, sampling and remixing fragments of the media landscape to confront issues of structural racism, power, and visibility. His work explores the global legacy of Tina Turner, the “Queen of Rock and Roll” whose career began in St. Louis, and how she is remembered by the community. Outside, TT the River Won’t Stop (Edit) transforms CAM’s facade nightly from dusk to midnight as part of the Museum’s ongoing Street Views series.
The Great Rivers Biennial , “a collaborative initiative between CAM and the Gateway Foundation,” identifies and fosters artistic talent in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The selected 2026 Biennial artists, Vaughn Terrell Davis Jr., Lauren dela Roche, and Vincent Stemmler have proposed ambitious presentations that explore considerations of repair, regeneration and resilience.
ArtReach: Near Futures showcases works by student artists from Sumner and Vashon High Schools during the 2025–26 academic year, centered on “collaborative futures.” www.camstl.org
The Pulitzer (3716 Washington) also reopens on September 10 with Olga de Amaral: Weaving the Infinite. Exhibited works by the Columbian artist (b.1932) span early 1950’s works to monumental textiles of the 2000’s. www.pulitzerarts.org
Third Degree Gallery (5200 Delmar) welcomes Australian-based glass artist NC Qin, September 1-October 31, with her works exploring heritage and values. On September 18, it’s Great Pumpkin Friday, with music, food and at 8:15, the making of a giant glass pumpkin! www.thirddegreeglassfactory.com
The Luminary (2701 Cherokee) hosts an Opening Reception, 7-9 p.m. September 11, for Ximena Garrido-Lecca: Signal Interludes. This installation, made of copper, pulleys, and electric circuits, was designed specifically for St. Louis as part of Counterpublic 2026: Coyote Time. On view through December 12. www.theluminaryarts.com
Kemper Art Museum (on Washington University campus) opens September 5 for Buenos Aires Modern: 1935-1950. The first-in-the U.S. exhibition explores the cross-disciplinary artistic communities of that era. Also on view through January 4 is Carolina Caycedo: Growing Deep Roots. www.kemperartmuseum.wustl.edu
September 24 – October 11, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival presents Romeo & Zooliet in Shakespeare Glen. The 80-minute show is perfect for all ages. www.stlshakes.org
Thank you to St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, again hosting its annual FREE concert in Forest Park, 7 p.m. September 16 on Art Hill. Arrive early to this beloved civic tradition to enjoy food trucks and a family fun zone, followed by the Symphony’s performance of selections from the upcoming 147th SLSO season, led by Stephane Deneve. The evening finishes off with a fireworks display to conclude the evening. Over at Powell Hall, September 26-27 is opening weekend with Italian Splendor. Wow! www.slso.org
St. Louis Classical Guitar opens its season September 19 with UK guitarist Jack Hancher. The 7:30 p.m. performance is at The Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton. www.stlclassicalguitar.org
Cathedral Concerts hits the road to bring FREE public Chamber Music Concerts, each at 7 p.m. to: Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church (New Melle), Sept. 1; St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church (O’Fallon, IL), Sept. 3; Glendale Lutheran Church (Sappington Road, StL), Sept. 10. www.cathedralconcerts.org
Celebrate Circus Arts at Circus Harmony’s Party in the Park, 2-5 p.m. September 27. Demonstrations plus snacks ($5 donation suggested), fun for all! www.circusharmony.org