Sarah Gavlak Champions Palm Beach's Art Scene with GAVLAK Gallery and New Wave Art Wknd

Sarah Gavlak is an artist advocate, gallerist and champion of Palm Beach’s growing art ecosystem.

Portrait of Sarah Gavlak

In 2005, Sarah Gavlak founded a contemporary art gallery in West Palm Beach to showcase underrepresented artists. Nine years later, GAVLAK Gallery expanded to Los Angeles and grew to represent 20 artists. In 2017, inspired by the growth of West Palm Beach’s creative community, Sarah Gavlak founded New Wave Art Wknd offering collective and dynamic art collection, museum and gallery programming. We spoke with Sarah about her creative passion.

What differentiates GAVLAK Gallery?

We amplify voices historically marginalized within contemporary art. This includes pioneering female artists working in a male-dominated industry, and queer artists whose work and narratives are censored or overlooked. Beyond traditional gallery representation, we generate new scholarships to contextualize and elevate our artists’ practices.

Panel discussion during the 2024 New Wave Art Wknd.

Why is your April-time Lynda Benglis exhibition significant?

Lynda’s contributions to the art historical canon are profound and her unwavering determination to carve out space for her voice and vision, paired with her innovative, almost alchemical use of non-traditional materials, is so inspiring. Bringing her work to Palm Beach is a dream of mine, and I’m thrilled to spotlight historically significant artworks.

Describe West Palm Beach’s creative community.

It has really grown and boasts a dynamic creative ecosystem with institutions like the Norton Museum of Art, The Society of the Four Arts and the Palm Beach Cultural Council, as well as seasoned collectors, visionary curators and passionate art enthusiasts.

Guests view the 2024 New Wave Art Wknd exhibits.

What does New Wave Art Wknd promise?

Our seventh New Wave Art Wknd focuses on fostering emerging talent through our residency program; engaging local artists and curators to identify pressing themes; broadening dialogue through critical engagement and meaningful exchange. You won’t want to miss it!