The Art of Collecting in The Palm Beaches

By Nick Murray

The Palm Beaches are home to dozens of top-notch galleries and studios offering curated selections for collectors at any level. If you’re eager to support the work of emerging artists and the creative economy at large, you can do so by collecting works by artists based here in Palm Beach County. Here are four galleries and organizations that’ll inspire you to hang art on your walls—in addition to spending a fun weekend in Florida’s Cultural Capital®.

The Peach, West Palm Beach

One of the newer, more unique destinations where collectors can purchase art is at The Peach in West Palm Beach. Situated like a hidden gem in the city’s industrial district, The Peach is an art collective that seeks to serve artists and the community alike. “The vision for [The Peach] was for it to be a place where artists are not only collaborating with each other, but also collaborating with the community of creatives that we’re surrounded by,” says The Peach’s managing artist, Craig McInnis, who also has his studio on-site.

The campus features a main building with six separate studio spaces, an open performance/music hall, and a restaurant area dedicated to the ever-popular Troy’s Barbecue. The best time to visit The Peach is during its series of monthly art walks, where the public can visit the studios, hear great music by local bands, and enjoy food and drinks at Troy’s.

The core to the work of The Peach, though, is in its support of Palm Beach County-based artists, bands, and businesses and imparting to their customers the importance of that support. “You’re basically keeping the soul of the area alive when you support the arts here,” explains McInnis. “If you’re making your way through the scene and buying a print, a painting, a sculpture…you’re making sure that we as artists can keep our heads above the water line so that we can keep creating and adding to the cultural landscape here.”

He also contributes a bit of wisdom to newer collectors: “Start small and build your way up. Don’t necessarily chase what you think is the hot-ticket item. Art is a collectible and it is an investment, yes, but I also think that you should have things that you like to look at.” The Peach, 3950 Georgia Ave., West Palm Beach, thepeachwpb.com, 561.532.0900

JF Gallery, Antique Row, West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach’s Antique Row Art & Design District is a no-brainer for those interested in adding a touch of class to their homes. With more than 40 shops, restaurants, galleries, and more to visit, one could make an entire day of enjoying this chic historic district.

JF Gallery is one of four galleries within the district specifically focused on art. Owner Jamnea Finlayson has a distinct vision for the work within her gallery, as well, gravitating toward large-scale, abstract pieces. “My passion is abstract work, so that’s what I decided to stick with,” says Finlayson.

The true uniquity of JF Gallery, however, is that more than half of the artists represented are based in Palm Beach County. Finlayson serves an even mix of collectors and interior designers and says that work by local artists is “important to include in a collection because if [the artist] is serious about their career and the collector gets them early…that work will have value in the future. She adds that “you’re also supporting the local community. Any art collection should be peppered with a little bit of local work especially if [the artist] is up and coming. I myself purchase from emerging artists that I know for a fact are going somewhere.”

As someone who has been at the helm of a gallery for 20 years in the same space, Finlayson offers valuable advice to those just starting their collection: “A lot of the collectors that I’ve dealt with always have a major focus. Whether it’s Latin American art or color-field paintings or collage work—there’s always a focus and sometimes they don’t really know what it is until much later. Figure out what you’re really passionate about and stick with it.” JF Gallery, 3901 S. Dixie Hwy., West Palm Beach, jfgallery.com, 561.478.8281

Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery & School of Art, Tequesta

At the northern tip of Palm Beach County is the laidback, seaside village of Tequesta. One of the village’s most-visited destinations is Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery and School of Art (LAC), a beloved nonprofit organization that has hosted a dizzying number of classes, events, and exhibitions for the community since its inception in 1964. “Right now we are booked well into 2025 with what we hope will be exciting exhibitions designed to fascinate collectors and guests from near and far,” explains Janeen Mason, LAC’s curator. Though the organization regularly hosts exhibitions featuring international artists, it also works with Palm Beach County’s creative community to put on a number of shows and festivals throughout the year. These collaborations run from smaller, individual-focused shows to LAC’s most-famous event, the annual Plein Air Festival. The fact that the organization has two gallery spaces means that it gives Mason the ability “to show collectors and interior designers alike from its fine art gallery and custom framing shop in Boca Raton. Though the gallery is focused on contemporary, post-war, and modern works and artists from across the globe, it’s also home to works from South Florida-based artists. spectacular local art that we didn’t know we couldn’t live without.”

When speaking about the value in collecting work by Palm Beach County-based artists, Mason first establishes the importance of art, saying that “the act of creating art is a profound investment in hope— the hope of communicating the experience of our shared humanity.” She continues, “Your purchase is, of course, an investment in something which will enhance your life. It is also a part of a very big and very important economic engine.“ Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery and School of Art, 373 Tequesta Dr., Tequesta, lighthousearts.org, 561.746.3101

Rosenbaum Contemporary, Boca Raton & Palm Beach

Since 1979, Rosenbaum Contemporary has served

“What we do well is that we bring art from around the globe with an incredible, well-curated mix of different genres,” explains Howard Rosenbaum, the gallery’s founder and owner. “We’re not just specialists in one limited market. We have Latin American, Eastern European, Western European, Asian…we have a great worldwide mix of mid-career emerging artists as well as master contemporary works.”

He adds that this diversity is due to the location: “[South Florida] is an emerging market of fabulous talent because it pulls globally from all around the world…I think it has a great future ahead for appreciation.”

Rosenbaum’s expertise is extensive. As of this writing, his gallery just opened its second Palm Beach County location on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. His advice to collectors is simple: “Only buy what you truly love and choose a dealer you can trust, who can help you through the process.” Rosenbaum Contemporary, 150 Yamato Rd., Boca Raton, rosenbaumcontemporary.com, 561.994.9180 ❖