Art lovers who can’t wait for the annual Miami Art Week to kick off in early December are in luck. Palm Beach and West Palm Beach host their own mini-version called New Wave Art Wknd beforehand. In addition to its packed program from panels to tours, season brings many more new exhibitions and other visual delights at local museums, private collections, galleries and retail centers. It’s another sign of South Florida’s evolution into a global art destination.
The Bunker Artspace
Art collector and Art Basel regular Beth Rudin DeWoody invites the public to tour her Bunker Artspace in West Palm Beach. New York and Los Angeles gallerist Peter Harkawik guest curates “Family Affair,” its 2023/24 group show about various familial bonds with works by Hank Willis Thomas to the Saar family. Concurrent exhibits examine artist-made chairs and contemporary twists on art’s classic odalisque pose.
thebunkerartspace.com
New Wave Art Wknd
The annual New Wave Art Wknd returns with programming throughout Palm Beach and West Palm Beach from December 1-3. Highlights include tours of private collections and artist studios; artist conversations and exhibition openings; art insider panel discussions regarding the freedom of expression, and unveilings of public art commissions such as Nekisha Durrett’s Genius Loci preceded by a parade with a local marching band.
newwave.art
Sotheby’s Palm Beach
Sotheby’s Palm Beach presents “Contemporary & Modern Masters” at its Royal Poinciana Plaza gallery through January 7. The first presentation of exceptional masterworks on the island for season, the mix of approximately 20 paintings, sculpture and works on paper exceeds a total of $100 million. Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol, Joan Mitchell, Yayoi Kusama, Ed Ruscha and Cy Twombly are among artists.
sothebys.com
Norton Museum of Art
Two complementary exhibitions debut at the Norton Museum of Art on December 2. “Presence: The Photography Collection of Judy Glickman Lauder” explores 20th century works divided into four themes including portraits; admiration and delight; expressions of place and specters of history, and politics, labor and justice. The more contemporary-minded “Personal Space: On Photography and Being” mines the museum’s permanent collection.
norton.org
Thom Browne Tree
The Royal Poinciana Plaza’s holiday tree looks to local context for inspiration. Each year, the center invites a guest artist or designer to interpret its surfboard-themed tradition. Timed to celebrate the launch of his new store here, Thom Browne decks the tree with his brand’s signature red, white and blue stripes. The tree topper honors his dog, Hector, who also begat the iconic Hector bag.
theroyalpoincianaplaza.com
Gallery Guide
Palm Beach art renaissance pioneer Gavlak Gallery hosts a reception for “Self Portraits,” new works by Andrew Brischler, on December 2. Acquavella’s “Damian Loeb: A Landscape Retrospective” closes December 5. “Harland Miller: All Night Meteorite” is on view at White Cube through December 16. Recently expanding to West Palm Beach from London and Berlin, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery’s new group show bows December 2.
gavlakgallery.com | acquavellagalleries.com | whitecube.com | kristinhjellegjerde.com
The iconic luxury island of Palm Beach is shaking up its staid past. Young families who live here year-round and the next generation of snowbirds and visitors are inspiring a new wave of chic shops, restaurants and art galleries. Fancy living here? Discover more local details and property listings with the following links.
Palm Beach | West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach sits on the mainland directly across from the island of Palm Beach. The growing city has become a destination in its own right for convention and performing art centers, hip restaurants and shopping of all kinds from major brands to vintage wares. Fancy living here? Discover more local details and property listings with the following link.
West Palm Beach