New Wave Art Wknd Announces New Dates for 2026 Edition: March 6–8, 2026

The shift from December to March underscores Palm Beach’s growing prominence as a year-round arts destination

New Wave Art Wknd (NWAW), the annual contemporary art celebration and fundraiser supporting the New Wave Art Residency, announced today that its 2026 edition will take place from March 6–8, 2026. The move from its traditional post–Art Basel Miami Beach slot in December reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to showcasing Palm Beach as a thriving cultural hub in its own right.

“Over the past several years, Palm Beach has grown into an arts destination that deserves to be experienced on its own terms,” said Sarah Gavlak, Founder of New Wave and GAVLAK Gallery. “By shifting our dates to March, we’re allowing patrons to fully immerse themselves in a weekend dedicated to the vibrant arts community here—from private collection visits to artist studios and gallery tours—without the competing demands of Miami Art Week. Palm Beach now stands firmly on the map as a center for cultural dialogue, creativity, and community.”

Founded in 2018, New Wave Art Residency is a nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging and inspiring the Palm Beach community through thought-provoking programming and artist residencies that support emerging and underrepresented voices. Artists-in-residence receive free housing and studio space in West Palm Beach for six to twelve weeks, along with a $5,000 unrestricted stipend, allowing them to focus entirely on the creation of new work.

“Our mission has always been to nurture Palm Beach’s arts ecosystem from the ground up,” said Katerina Llanes, Program Director at New Wave. “By providing artists with dedicated studio space, resources, and a platform to connect with collectors and curators, we’re strengthening the cultural fabric of this community and ensuring that Palm Beach continues to be a place where art is made, shared, and celebrated.”

New Wave continues to expand its impact through key initiatives, including the Dreyfoos Student Resident Scholarship, which awards one graduating senior from the Dreyfoos School of the Arts a $5,000 scholarship towards college tuition and dedicated studio space for the summer. This year’s residents include artists Tiffany Alfonseca, Rich Aybar (RA Workshop), Naomi Fisher, and Finn Fielding, each of whom recently completed their residencies with public open studios in CityPlace, West Palm Beach.

In recognition of its continued leadership in advancing the cultural vitality of the region, New Wave Art Residency has been awarded a Category CI Grant from the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, supported by the Palm Beach Board of County Commissioners. The grant will help fund New Wave’s public programs and artist support initiatives throughout the FY26 program year.

“We are deeply grateful for this partnership and for the Council’s commitment to sustaining a vibrant arts ecosystem,” said Katerina Llanes. “This support strengthens our ability to provide space, resources, and visibility for artists whose voices are shaping Palm Beach’s creative future.”

Anchored by institutions such as the Norton Museum of Art, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, and The Bunker Artspace, Palm Beach has evolved into one of the country’s most dynamic cultural destinations. Collectors, artists, and curators alike are drawn to the region’s growing network of galleries, design spaces, and artist-run initiatives that reflect a uniquely South Florida sensibility—combining sophistication, community, and an ever-deepening commitment to the arts.

From curated panel discussions and collection visits to special exhibitions and performances, New Wave Art Wknd offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the cultural vitality of Palm Beach while directly supporting artists through the New Wave Art Residency.

About New Wave Art Residency
Founded by Sarah Gavlak in 2018, New Wave Art Residency is a nonprofit organization with a mission to engage and inspire the Palm Beach community and the world through artist residencies, public programming, and cultural partnerships. Led by Program Director Katerina Llanes, the Residency provides free housing, studio space, and financial support for artists to create new work, fostering critical dialogue and cross-disciplinary exchange.

Advisory Board members include Beth Rudin DeWoody, Franklin Sirmans, Isolde Brielmaier, Yvonne Force Villareal, Jane Holzer, Lisa Perry, and other prominent leaders in the field.

For more information, please visit newwave.art.

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