Artexpo New York returns to Pier 36 in Manhattan’s Lower East Side for its 49th edition, showcasing the finest in contemporary and fine art. This year, the Spotlight Program honors a select group of artists and galleries whose vision, innovation, and mastery are shaping the future of the art world.

For nearly five decades, Artexpo has set the stage for legendary talent—from Andy Warhol and Keith Haring to Basquiat and Robert Rauschenberg. April 9–12, over 1,000 artists across painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, and glass will converge for a truly exceptional showcase.

The Spotlight Program recipients represent the pinnacle of creativity and influence, and attendees will have the rare opportunity to experience their work firsthand.

Discover this year’s distinguished honorees below.

ARTWISE ONLINE — Booth 432

www.artwiseonline.com

Founded in 1992 by Bernard Rougerie, ArtWise built its reputation on exhibition posters before evolving into an early pioneer of online art sales. Now led by Justin White—with Rougerie continuing as advisor—it enters a new chapter grounded in legacy, accessibility, and a belief that art should be lived with.

Operating from DUMBO, the gallery spans modernism to contemporary works, with a focus on vintage posters, fine art prints, and blue-chip artists. For Artexpo New York 2026, it presents a dialogue between exhibition posters and Pop Art—balancing bold statement pieces with more approachable works.

At the center is As I Opened Fire by Roy Lichtenstein, a commanding large-scale triptych that anchors the booth. Surrounding it, selections from the artist’s Nudes and Still Life series reveal a more intimate, collectible dimension of his practice. Marking ArtWise’s first fair in over a decade—and White’s debut as owner—the presentation serves as both a reintroduction and a confident statement of intent.

CATHERINE BLACKBURN — Booth S507

CHRISTOPHER LOTUS — Booth 104

www.diamondlotus.com

Christopher Lotus is the creator of Diamond Lotus, a body of work situated at the intersection of material, light, and consciousness. Blending hand-blown glass, layered resin, and precious elements such as gemstones and diamonds, his practice redefines the boundaries between painting and sculpture.

Describing his work as “light architecture,” Lotus creates dimensional pieces that shift and evolve with their environment, transforming from static objects into immersive experiences. Developed over five years of experimentation and refinement, Diamond Lotus reflects a balance of precision and intuition—where structure and energy converge.

His presentation at Artexpo New York 2026 marks a pivotal moment, as a deeply personal practice expands onto the global stage, inviting collectors and audiences into a new dialogue between art, space, and presence.

DREW MARC GALLERY — Booth 215

https://drewmarcgallery.com/

Drew Marc Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery known for its thoughtful curatorial approach and dynamic programming. Founded by Andrew Trujillo, who previously worked as an art advisor in Santa Fe, New Mexico—one of the largest art markets in the U.S.—Trujillo developed strong relationships with collectors and insight into building a successful gallery program.

The gallery’s vision is to present emerging and internationally recognized artists side by side, highlighting the dialogue between established and rising talent. Through carefully curated exhibitions, Drew Marc creates an engaging environment for collectors and art enthusiasts alike.

“Drew Marc Gallery was founded to bring museum-quality contemporary art to collectors while giving our artists national exposure,” says Trujillo. “Participating in major fairs like Artexpo New York helps us introduce our artists to new audiences and expand our program’s reach.”

Known for vibrant exhibitions and collector events, the gallery offers immersive experiences where art can be deeply appreciated. “Our goal is to build a bridge between our artists and the broader art world while creating meaningful opportunities for collectors to engage with exceptional work,” Trujillo adds.

MUISCA GALLERY — Booth 301

www.themuisca.com

Muisca Gallery, based in Paris, is an international contemporary art gallery dedicated to presenting compelling artists whose work bridges tradition and modern visual storytelling. Known for its carefully curated roster of painters and multidisciplinary artists, the gallery has participated in prominent art fairs and exhibitions throughout Europe and the United States.

Muisca Gallery focuses on artists whose work combines strong technical foundations with contemporary themes of identity, culture, and the human experience. For this edition, the gallery presents a selection of international artists — Nard Kwast, María Mercado, Leloluce, Aida Enriquez, and Cristian Mitrani — whose practices are distinguished by strong narratives that challenge our relationship to the world and to ourselves.

The works presented at Artexpo New York 2026 highlight expressive figurative painting, layered symbolism, and dynamic compositions that resonate with collectors seeking both visual beauty and narrative depth. By introducing European perspectives and internationally represented artists, Muisca Gallery contributes to the fair’s global dialogue, enhancing the artistic diversity and cultural richness that define Artexpo New York.

We first discovered Jordan Barker at this year’s Artexpo New York, where his vibrant energy and undeniable talent immediately stood out. His passion for creating and sharing his art is infectious, and his work carries a rare blend of originality and approachability.

Meet the artist who’s capturing hearts and sparking conversations — Jordan Barker.

ABN: Introduce yourself — who you are and what your vision as an artist is

Jordan Barker: I’m Jordan Barker, a self-taught mixed media artist and entrepreneur. I discovered my artistic talent during Covid at a time when we were forced into isolation. It was then that I realized how important touch is to human connection, which is why I started painting with a lot of texture to reintroduce the sensations of touch back into my life. My vision as an artist is to bridge the gap between emotion and material — to create pieces that you don’t just look at but feel. Through layering and texture, I want my work to remind people of the power of presence, even in moments of quiet chaos. And YES, they can touch the artwork!!

ABN: What is your background?

JB: I come from an entrepreneurial background, which has always pushed me to build things from the ground up and follow my instincts. I didn’t go to art school, and I don’t know how to draw — my education came from experimentation and curiosity. During Covid, I began layering different materials and mediums as a form of mindfulness and discovered that art could be a language for what I was feeling. Since then, I’ve developed a large body of abstract, textural works that have been featured on NY1, Yahoo! Finance, The Knockturnal, and Fractyll Magazine and private collections across the U.S.

ABN: What is your work philosophy and how does that impact your work?

JB: My philosophy is that creation should be a practice of presence. Every piece I make is an exercise in letting go of control, overcoming self-doubt, and trusting the creative process.  I allow the materials to guide me and I see the act of layering as symbolic: it mirrors how we build emotional depth as people. That mindset keeps my work grounded and meditative, even when the surface looks chaotic or raw.

ABN: What artist(s) inspire you?

JB: Initially I would say that no artists inspire me as my work comes from within, but I recently had the pleasure of visiting Robert Nava’s studio and speaking with him about his creative process. Entering his space was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in the art world. The sheer magnitude of his paintings and intricacies in the details of how he uses different materials, brush strokes, and even depth of colors was mind blowing.  His work is playful and elementary, yet highly complex at the same time and his backstory is even more inspiring. Since meeting with him, I have been motivated to start incorporating more oils into my paintings, which I absolutely love.

ABN: What is the best advice you’ve received?

JB: The best advice I’ve received is to keep creating even when it doesn’t make sense yet. Early on, I used to overthink what each piece “should” be, but I’ve learned that consistency and trust in your process reveal the meaning over time. That lesson has shaped both my art and how I move through life.

ABN: When you are not working, where can we find you?

JB: When I’m not in the studio, you can usually find me working on my other passion, commercial real estate. I love networking, raising capital for real estate investments, and also helping

ABN: What have you done recently that enhanced you as an artist?

JB: Recently, I’ve been experimenting with oils. I love both the fluidity of oil sticks as well as the depth of color. Using oils has forced me to think more about the placement of paint as it takes much longer to dry than acrylic and aerosol. In addition, I’ve been working with a lot more interior designers and architects who not only like my work, but also appreciate the presentation of it which consists of staged photos, timelapse videos of the creation of each piece and high-quality videos of the paintings allowing the customer to view the depth and texture that otherwise can’t be seen in a photograph.

ABN: Tell us about 2025 and beyond? Where will your creativity take you?

JB: 2025 has been a GREAT year!  I’ve not only expanded my body of work but also garnered several celebrity collectors and followers. My social media presence continues to grow and because of that, I have been selling more artwork and gaining the attention of art dealers, interior designers, and collectors. As I continue down this path, I am excited to see what doors this opens as I continue to create work that reminds people to slow down, touch, and feel — in every sense of the word.

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Jordan Barker is an entrepreneur and self-taught mixed media artist. It was during Covid when we were forced into isolation, that Jordan realized how important touch is to the human connection. By layering different materials and mediums on canvases, Jordan began what is now an extensive body of large-scale abstract expressionist-style pieces. He was inspired to create art as a way to reintroduce these textures and sensations back into his life, which provided him with a sense of presence and calm amidst what felt like quiet chaos. Each piece of art is a practice of mindfulness that Jordan couldn’t achieve in any other way during this long period of isolation.

Jordan has since created what is now an impressive body of work, with pieces already incorporated into a number of private collections around New York City. Jordan also has a passion for giving back and has invested in and advised several startups with social missions he currently is on the Advisory Counsel for the Citizen’s Committee for New York City.

https://www.instagram.com/jordanbarkerart/