Press Release
Media Contact:
Meredith McKee
e: meredithbrettco@gmail.com
p: 303-641-3674
Intersect Palm Springs 2026 Reports Record Sales and Engagement
Record Results Amid a Busy Modernism Week, Signal a Defining Year for the Fair
The Fair featured the Most Robust and Well Attended Programming To Date Including Esteemed Guests; Lawrence Schiller, Mads Christensen, Paula Crown, Peter Frank, Steven Biller, Donna Isham, Nikolas Soren Goodich, Jeffrey Bernstein, Debra and Richard Hovel, Topher Straus, Craig Drennen, Peter Loforte, Kelly Boesch and Leo Marmol
Palm Springs, Calif. - February 19, 2026 - Intersect Palm Springs Art + Design Fair is pleased to announce the 2026 fair reported record sales and overwhelming support and attendance from art collectors and the Coachella Valley community. The fair drew large crowds during a busy Modernism Week and broke its all time box office revenue reflecting an increasing demand for contemporary art in the Coachella Valley.
With top collectors present and excellent sales, Intersect Palm Springs thanks its more than 60 exhibitors present as well as Intersect Palm Spring’s cultural partners and the very supportive and loyal community of the Coachella Valley.
Intersect Palm Springs continues to sharpen its identity, and this year that evolution was unmistakably marked by record sales and engagement from the greater Palm Spring community. The level of curation across the fair resonated strongly with attendees and exhibitors alike. Collectors were highly engaged, noting a clear sense that the fair has entered a new phase of refinement.
The fair opened on February 12 with the Painiktem Bird Singers and a sharing of their culture, followed by a commencing of the fair with a ringing of THE REVERSE SIDE bell by artist Paula Crown.
On Opening Night, leaders of the Southern California art community were honored with the following awards:
Vasa (Vasa Velizar Mihich) was awarded with the 2026 Intersect Palm Springs Artist Award
Steven Biller received the 2026 Intersect Palm Springs Stewardship of the Arts Award
Susan and Rod Lubeznik were awarded the 2026 Intersect Palm Springs Art Advocacy Award
Paula Crown reflection on Intersect Palm Springs 2026:
“This year, Intersect Palm Springs felt less like an art fair and more like a collective moment,” says Paula Crown. “Through my work, THE REVERSE SIDE bronze bell, I invited viewers to ring the bell and create their own voice. What unfolded was extraordinary, strangers pausing together, emotion moving thru sound, and art becoming a shared experience beyond observation. It was an intimate, and deeply human moment. If you weren't there you missed something special--but Intersect Aspen is coming in July 2026. Congrats to the von Gals on a fantastic event.”
Steven Biller on Sharrissa Iqbal’s Radiant Space exhibition:
“‘Radiant Space' was nothing short of revelatory — a sweeping, 75-year meditation on how Southern California artists have bent light, color, and technology to their will,” says Steven Biller. “Under Sharrissa Iqbal’s thoughtful curation, works by Helen Pashgian, Peter Alexander, James Turrell, and Joe Ray shimmered alongside paintings by Helen Lundeberg, Norman Zammitt, and John McLaughlin, with Channa Horwitz’s ‘Sonakinatography (Diminished) Composition XI’ underscoring the movement’s cerebral rigor. As an encore to her Getty-sponsored Pacific Standard Time exhibition at the Palm Springs Art Museum, the installation didn’t simply survey history — it made you feel perception itself shifting in real time.”
CEO, Tim von Gal thoughts on the 2026 Edition of fair:
“We have been thrilled to receive overwhelmingly positive comments from participating galleries, artists, community partners and cultural partners," says Tim von Gal, CEO, Intersect Art + Design. “The Coachella Valley has embraced us and responded tremendously to our return to Modernism Week. We are indebted to many members in the art and local community for their support in making this such a successful event. In particular, I extend my sincere appreciation to Peter Blake for his generosity of thought and time developing this edition of the fair. His thoughtful direction was instrumental in delivering such a successful event to this community.”
Included among the record sale of the fair were:
Timothy Yarger Fine Art placed works by Pancho Luna, Mads Christensen and Caroline PM Jones.
Melissa Morgan Fine Art had excellent sales and placed works by Anthony James, Carole Feuerman, Andréa Stanislav, Will Penny, Lawrence Schiller and Leo Marmol.
Hilton Contemporary had resounding success selling nine pieces and notably placed work by Jacob Gils and Pablo Armesto.
Gefen Gallery sold a large piece by Ian Rayer-Smith to a collector in Palm Springs as well as additional works from were placed with local collectors in the Palm Springs area.
Isham Projects reported an excellent fair and placed Le Cirque, 2024, Acrylic, charcoal, and oil stick on canvas, Animation and music - on Opening Night to a private collection. Isham also placed several other pieces including one of her sculpture works.
Billis/Williams Gallery sold nearly 20 large works to various private collectors in the Coachella Valley and Los Angeles including works by Tim Yankosky, Wes Hemphel, Kenny Harris, Stephen Magsig, Nina Tichava and Tom Pfannerstill.
GALLERyLABS placed 15 works
ADC Fine Art sold 13 pieces at their debut Intersect Palm Springs fair.
1202 Contemporary sold 11 pieces including four by Lida Sweo Eul, four by Lorraine Buber, two by Anna Main and one by Laurie Barmore.
Taylor Fine Art placed 11 works to various collectors in the Coachella Valley including the sale of Deasa Turner, The Roller Rink, 2025, Torched violin, found objects, mixed media, 26 x 8 x 4.
Sylvain Latendresse placed two works including: Sylvain Latendresse, Cadence, 2026, Acrylic, 30 x 40", which was sold to a private collector based in the United States and Sylvain Latendresse, Griffith Park II, 2022, Acrylic, 20 x 16" which was sold to a private collector based in Philadelphia, PA.
Topher Straus placed The Colorado, Dye sublimation on aluminum, 30 x 60 in with a private collector.
Artier Fine Art placed seven works by Forte Braccio and two by Ariel Vargassal
Axiom Contemporary placed two works by MoJo
SAB Gallery placed 17 works by Diane Portwood
SABBATIKAL placed work from J. Carino who unveiled new works on paper that drew strong interest, with multiple pieces sold.
Bruce Lurie Gallery sold multiple works
MRG Fine Art also reported work sold
Spence Gallery place a sculpture work to a private collector
Luminous Community Center and Kate Joiner both secured commissioned work from their participation at Intersect Palm Springs.
Over a dozen notable speakers brought the Intersect Palm Springs theater to maximum capacity. Panelist included: Lawrence Schiller, Mads Christensen, Paula Crown, Peter Frank, Steven Biller, Donna Isham, Nikolas Soren Goodich, Jeffrey Bernstein, Debra and Richard Hovel, Topher Straus, Craig Drennen, Peter Loforte, Kelly Boesch and Leo Marmol.
Intersect Art + Design looks forward to their next fair, Intersect Aspen Art + Design Fair, July 28 - August 1, 2026 in Aspen, Colo.
Intersect Palm Springs would like to thank the following organizations for all of their involvement and support of the 2026 edition of the fair.
Cultural and Community Partners:
Anderson Ranch
The Coachella Valley Women’s Tribute Project
Eisenhower Health, Dolores Hope Auxiliary
H Foundation for the Arts
High Desert Test Sites
Indigo Auto Group
Luminous Community Center
Palm Springs Art Museum
Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce
Visit Palm Springs
Palm Springs Modern Committee
Pratt Institute
Yucca Valley Material Lab
Media Partners:
American Art Collector
Art & Object
artnet
Coachella Valley Independent
PALM SPRINGS LIFE
Technology Partners:
Authentify Art
Cohart
Media contact:
Meredith McKee
meredithbrettco@gmail.com
303-641-3674
For more information, visit intersectpalmsprings.com
About Intersect Art and Design:
Intersect Art and Design produces cultural events that connect galleries with art lovers and collectors, highlighting art and design locally, regionally, and globally. Presented by Tim von Gal (CEO) and Dirk von Gal (President & COO), the Intersect team is committed to building community and connectivity in the locations of the fairs. Through cultural partners, programming, and curatorial vision, Intersect offers year-round opportunities for dialogue, engagement, and inspiration.
Intersect Aspen Art and Design Fair is an annual art and culture event taking place each August in the heart of one of the nation’s most prestigious collector communities. Formerly known as Art Aspen, it has been running since 2010.
Intersect Palm Springs Art and Design Fair takes place each February and presents modern and contemporary art and design. Formerly known as Art Palm Springs, it has been running since 2012.
Visit the website at IntersectFairs.com and follow along on social media
@IntersectArtandDesign.