originally published: 02/13/2026
(EAST ORANGE, NJ) — Garden State Art Weekend (GSAW), a statewide celebration of New Jersey’s visual arts, will return for a third consecutive year. Running from April 17–19, 2026, the festival will transform the state into an expansive art crawl featuring exhibitions, open studios, and community arts events.
Following two successful editions that showcased over 100 venues across 15 counties, the 2026 festival aims to scale up. This year’s mission is to bridge the gap between New Jersey’s diverse regions, connecting local artists and world-class cultural institutions with audiences from North Jersey down to the Jersey Shore.
“New Jersey doesn’t get the creative rap it deserves,” said Alison Pirie, co-director of the festival. “This weekend shines a spotlight on the artists and institutions, putting the state’s arts scene on the map and showing people what they’re missing.”
Festival Highlights & Hub Location
The heart of the festival will once again be centered at Manufacturers Village Artists in East Orange. As the official festival hub, it will host its popular Spring Open House, featuring more than 60 professional artist studios open to the public.
Beyond the hub, programming across the state will include:
* Gallery Exhibitions: Curated shows featuring local and international talent.
* Open Studios: A rare behind-the-scenes look at the creative process.
* Interactive Events: Live demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and artist talks.
Participating Venues – While the full festival lineup will be officially released in March, several heavy hitters are already confirmed, including: The Newark Museum of Art (Newark), The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey (Summit), Neumann Leathers (Hoboken), The Hunterdon Museum of Art (Clinton), and Montclair Art Museum (Montclair).
“New Jersey is a place of artistic innovation where idiosyncrasy is valued, and imagination is celebrated,” noted journalist Tris McCall. “The best way to experience that is by immersing yourself in the events and open studios of Garden State Art Weekend.”
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