Now in its forty-first year, the ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival’s two-day event runs February 14-15 at Gardens North County District Park in Palm Beach Gardens. Named one of the top 70 fine art festivals in the country, this year’s installment of ArtiGras will host 250 artists showcasing everything from jewelry and glass to fibers, paint, and ceramics by artists from all over the country and internationally.
Many of the festival’s most popular features are returning this year—including the Kids Zone, the Sysco Chef Showcase featuring local chefs showing off their culinary skills, and live art demonstrations. “You can watch each artist making their art in live time,” says Cara Sentelik, director of marketing and communications for the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, who produces the event. “Last year, we had a glass blower, and people were able to watch glass being blown, which was really interesting.”
Alongside professional artists, ArtiGras showcases student art with the Youth Art Competition. The competition is open to Palm Beach County students at all grade levels, with awards for winning entries going to both students and schools.
New at ArtiGras this year is the Patron Society, an experience designed for art collectors. Patron Society ticketholders will enjoy a dedicated VIP hospitality space and access to different art events throughout the year. “It’s an opportunity for people to stay involved with the artists and the art scene,” says Sentelik.
ArtiGras 2026 Featured Artist: Molly Leach
One of the most anticipated aspects of ArtiGras each year is the announcement of the festival’s featured artist. This year, the honor goes to Molly Leach, an abstract fluid artist from West Palm Beach. Her bright, colorful piece entitled Catalyst for Color—Gratitude for the First Spark is featured on this year’s festival posters, shirts, and event merchandise.
Leach—who was selected for the ArtiGras Emerging Artist program in 2019 when she was just starting her career—says the piece tells the story of her art journey. “It’s almost like being in a storm trying to establish myself as an artist then breaking through the storm to the rainbow,” she says.
Fluid art began as a hobby for Leach. She was fascinated by the physics of manipulating liquid paint on a horizontal surface. “A lot of fluid art deals with chemistry and that’s my background,” says the former psychiatric pharmacist. Leach experimented with chemical reactions, compressed air, and tools like a palette knife to learn how to achieve bold, abstract designs. The self-taught artist chronicles her art journey on her YouTube channel and on Smart Art Courses, which offers online tutorials on art techniques.
For Leach, being selected as the featured artist validates her work as an artist and as an inspiration for others. “It’s a confirmation that people enjoy what I do,” says Leach. “I am most proud of the impact I’ve had with people, reminding them that they are creative and giving them an outlet for expression. I am part of their lives and that’s really meaningful to me.”
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