Application ProcessThe application for our November 2025 - January 2026 New Wave Artist Residency is open from September 1 - October 1, 2025.
New Wave
Artist Residency
New Wave provides support for under-represented artists across diverse backgrounds. Since its founding in 2018 by gallerist Sarah Gavlak, we have served over 20 artists and produced dozens of public programs for the Palm Beach communities. Artists receive an unrestricted $5,000 stipend, housing and an artist studio in West Palm Beach for 6 weeks. Domestic travel is also covered by the residency.
*Artists with gallery representation are not eligible to apply.
New Wave DSOA
Student Residency
In 2025, we proudly launched the annual New Wave Dreyfoos Resident Scholarship in partnership with Dreyfoos School of the Arts. The scholarship is for graduating seniors that will be attending college after high school and provides them with $5,000 towards their college tuition and the New Wave artist studio for one month in the summer before starting college. Our New Wave jury panel reviews the students’ applications and selects one student each year to be our annual New Wave Dreyfoos Student Resident. The student works independently in the studio and may use part of the funding towards designated art materials for use at the residency. Their art is then presented to the Palm Beach community at their open studio reception.
New Wave x Bunker Artspace Curatorial Residency
New Wave Art Residency (NWAR) will partner with The Bunker Artspace on a curatorial residency in West Palm Beach. One curator will be selected each year by a jury of art world professionals. The curatorial resident will develop an exhibition from Beth Rudin DeWoody’s collection at The Bunker Artspace and present it alongside the annual opening during Miami Art Basel 2026.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Our upcoming events are all about connection, creativity, and collaboration. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the experience.
FOUNDER
SARAH
GAVLAK
In 2005, Sarah Gavlak opened a contemporary art gallery in West Palm Beach after recognizing a level of sophisticated collectors but a lack of galleries presenting emerging artists’ exhibitions. She founded her eponymous gallery with the goal of championing female and LGTBQ artists. Over the last 14 years, she has staged highly conceptual and pioneering exhibitions, which include early solo presentations by Marilyn Minter, Jose Alvarez, Betty Tompkins, Rob Wynne, Lisa Anne Auerbach, TJ Wilcox, Jessica Cannon and Robert Peterson.
In addition to founding non-profit New Wave Artist Residency, Sarah is a trustee of Art Center College of Design, a member of the New Museum’s Artemis Council, and an Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Ambassador.