Mission and history

About New Wave Art Wknd and Artist Residency

The mission of New Wave is to engage and inspire the Palm Beach Communities and the world through thought-provoking programming and an artist residency that supports emerging and under-represented artists. 

Founded by Sarah Gavlak with collaborators and an advisory board that includes Beth Rudin DeWoody, Franklin Sirmans, Isolde Brielmaier, Yvonne Force Villareal, Jane Holzer, Lisa Perry, and other prominent leaders in the field, New Wave offers artists an apartment and studio space in West Palm Beach for six weeks as well as a stipend to be spent as the artist wishes. The residencies also provide artists with exposure and support placing their work in some of the nation's most prominent collections. 

New Wave Art Wknd (NWAW) is a non-commercial art weekend that supports New Wave’s residencies throughout the year. Featuring robust public programming, extraordinary private collection visits, panel conversations, and curated events, NWAW showcases the flourishing contemporary art scene in South Florida and offers a platform to discuss issues in contemporary art and broader society, in a place where these conversations often need to happen most.