ATH New Release: “100 Emerging Artists of 2026”
Finding the Next Great Artist Has Never Been More Difficult
We live in an extraordinary time for contemporary art. Every day, thousands of artists share their work online, new exhibitions open across the world, and social media introduces us to an endless stream of creativity. On the surface, discovering emerging artists should be easier than ever.
Yet somehow, it has become harder.
The sheer volume of work means remarkable artists are often buried beneath algorithms, fleeting trends, and the constant demand to create content instead of connection. Talent alone is no longer enough to be seen. For collectors searching for the next important voice, curators looking beyond established names, and art lovers hoping to discover work that truly resonates, the search can feel overwhelming.
The most meaningful discoveries rarely happen by chance. They happen through thoughtful curation, careful research, and a genuine commitment to looking beyond what’s already visible.
That belief has always been at the heart of the Arts to Hearts Project.
100 Emerging Artists 2026 was created as more than a book. It is an invitation to discover artists whose practices deserve attention, whose stories deserve to be documented, and whose work reflects the remarkable diversity, depth, and imagination shaping contemporary art today. Each page offers a moment to slow down, to look closely, and to encounter artists who are not simply following conversations in the art world, but actively expanding them.
Because every established artist was once an emerging one. Sometimes, all it takes is for the right person to discover them.
The Thought Behind the Making of 100 Emerging Artists
Arts to Hearts Project has always believed that extraordinary artists exist everywhere, they simply aren’t always given the visibility they deserve.
While the contemporary art world continues to grow, opportunities remain uneven. Many emerging artists create deeply compelling work, yet struggle to reach audiences beyond their immediate circles. Traditional gatekeepers, limited exhibition opportunities, and the fast-moving nature of digital platforms often leave exceptional practices waiting to be discovered.
That is where 100 Emerging Artists began.
The book was created with a simple but powerful intention: to build a space where emerging artists could be seen, celebrated, and remembered. Not for a fleeting moment on a screen, but within the pages of a thoughtfully curated publication that documents their work and introduces it to a global audience of collectors, curators, galleries, writers, and fellow artists.
Every edition is an opportunity to spotlight voices that deserve greater recognition while celebrating the incredible breadth of contemporary artistic practice. Rather than defining what emerging art should look like, 100 Emerging Artists embraces its diversity—bringing together artists working across disciplines, cultures, perspectives, and personal histories.
More than a showcase, the book has become a meeting point between artists and the people eager to discover them. It is a place where meaningful connections begin, where creative journeys are documented, and where readers are invited to encounter practices that challenge, inspire, and expand the way we experience contemporary art.
Because supporting emerging artists isn’t only about celebrating where they are today, it’s about believing in where their work can take them tomorrow.
How 100 Emerging Artists Has Grown Since 2024
When 100 Emerging Artists first launched in 2024, it set out to answer a simple but important question: What happens when emerging artists are given the space to be seen on their own terms?
What began as a publication quickly evolved into something much larger, a growing archive of contemporary artistic practice and a platform that continues to introduce remarkable artists to audiences around the world. With every edition, the project has expanded not only in reach but also in purpose, becoming a trusted resource for collectors, curators, galleries, writers, and art enthusiasts looking to discover voices shaping the future of contemporary art.
That ongoing commitment to discovery has made 100 Emerging Artists more than an annual book. It has become a living record of an ever-evolving creative landscape.
Get your copies of the 2024 and 2025 editions here:
The Vision Behind the 2026 Edition
The 2026 edition builds on that foundation with its most expansive and thoughtfully curated collection yet.
Bringing together 100 artists from across countries, cultures, and disciplines, this edition reflects the richness and complexity of contemporary art today. Rather than searching for a single defining trend, it embraces the many ways artists are responding to the world around them—through painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, ceramics, mixed media, installation, and practices that move fluidly between disciplines.
Together, these artists explore themes of memory, identity, belonging, transformation, ecology, resilience, and the deeply personal stories that shape our collective experience. Their practices differ in material and approach, yet they share a willingness to ask questions, challenge conventions, and create work that invites deeper reflection.
The vision for 100 Emerging Artists 2026 is not simply to document exceptional talent, it is to celebrate the diversity of contemporary artistic voices and create a lasting record of this moment in art. It is an invitation to discover artists before they become familiar names, to engage with practices that are shaping new conversations, and to witness the future of contemporary art as it unfolds, one page at a time.
Sonia Borrell: Our Curator for The Book
Behind every thoughtfully curated book is someone willing to do the intricate work of looking closely.
Selecting 100 artists from an incredibly diverse pool of submissions is no easy task. It demands time, discernment, experience, and an eye for work that not only stands out today but has the potential to shape tomorrow. That responsibility rested with Sonia Borrell—an internationally acclaimed curator, art collector, advisor, philanthropist, and founder of the Tyson Collection.
With years of experience championing emerging artists across the globe, Sonia brought both a collector’s eye and a curator’s sensitivity to this edition. Her approach goes beyond identifying technical skill; it is about recognizing originality, authenticity, and artistic practices that leave a lasting impression.
Under her curatorial guidance, 100 Emerging Artists 2026 brings together a collection that is as diverse as contemporary art itself. Rather than following trends or a single aesthetic, the selected artists represent a wide range of mediums, perspectives, and lived experiences, offering readers an inspiring snapshot of the creative voices shaping today’s art world.
As Sonia Borrell writes in her foreword,
“Art lovers follow movements. Art collectors move them further.”
That sentiment perfectly captures the spirit of this book, not just celebrating emerging artists, but helping bring their work into conversations, collections, and communities around the world.
In Conversation with the Voices Shaping Contemporary Art
Before introducing readers to this year’s 100 selected artists, 100 Emerging Artists 2026 opens the door to a series of thoughtful conversations with artists and creative leaders whose perspectives enrich the experience of the book.
The journey begins with internationally acclaimed artist Nicolas Roa, who reflects on his creative practice, the evolution of his work, and the importance of staying true to one’s artistic voice. His conversation offers an inspiring reminder that every established career begins with curiosity, experimentation, and persistence.
Readers are also introduced to Tyron Selmon, founder of Art Eye Gallery, whose work extends beyond his own practice to creating opportunities for fellow artists. Through his interview, he shares insights into building creative communities, embracing authenticity, and why supporting emerging talent is essential to the future of the arts.
The editorial series continues with Kristin Kwan, whose conversation explores the deeply personal relationship between identity, storytelling, and artistic expression. Her reflections offer an intimate look into the experiences that shape an artist’s practice and the power of creating work that resonates on both personal and universal levels.
The book also proudly celebrates Augustina Droze, recipient of the 2026 Cash Award. Recognized for the originality, technical excellence, and emotional depth of her work, Augustina’s feature highlights both her artistic journey and the significance of this recognition. More than a prize, the Cash Award reflects Arts to Hearts Project’s commitment to investing in emerging artists and celebrating practices that show exceptional promise.
Together, these conversations add depth to the publication, reminding readers that behind every artwork is a story, behind every practice is a journey, and behind every emerging artist is a community that believes in the importance of discovering and supporting new voices.
Meet the 100 Emerging Artists of 2026
At the heart of this book are 100 artists. One hundred unique voices. One hundred creative journeys. One hundred ways of seeing, questioning, and interpreting the world around us.
Drawn from across continents and working across an extraordinary range of disciplines, the artists featured in 100 Emerging Artists 2026 represent the richness and diversity of contemporary art today. Their practices span painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, photography, mixed media, installation, printmaking, digital art, and beyond. Some work with traditional techniques refined over decades, while others push the boundaries of material, process, and experimentation. Yet despite their differences, they are united by one defining quality—a commitment to creating work that is deeply personal, thoughtfully conceived, and unmistakably their own.
Here are our selected 100 artists, each talented and gifted with a unique touch of creativity:
There is no single style that defines this collection, and that is precisely what makes it so compelling.
Instead of presenting one version of what contemporary art should be, 100 Emerging Artists 2026 embraces its beautiful complexity. Abstract and figurative works exist side by side. Quiet, introspective pieces meet bold conceptual statements. Delicate handcrafted surfaces share space with immersive installations and experimental processes. Together, they reveal a contemporary art landscape that is constantly evolving—one that values curiosity as much as craftsmanship, vulnerability as much as technical mastery.
Behind every featured artist is a story of dedication. Years spent refining ideas, embracing uncertainty, developing a visual language, and continuing to create despite the many challenges that come with building an artistic career. Being included in this collection is not simply recognition of a single artwork; it is a celebration of an ongoing practice and the potential it holds for the future.
Whether you’re a collector searching for the next artist to champion, a curator looking for fresh perspectives, a fellow creative seeking inspiration, or simply someone who loves art, these pages offer something invaluable: the opportunity to discover extraordinary talent before the rest of the world catches up.
This is more than a showcase of emerging artists. It is a snapshot of contemporary art in motion—a record of where creative practice stands today and a glimpse of where it is headed tomorrow.
So take your time. Pause on the works that speak to you. Read the stories behind the practices. Follow the artists whose work lingers long after you’ve turned the page. Because every established name in art was once an emerging one, and every great discovery begins with a single introduction.
Documenting the Artists of Tomorrow
In an age where images are endlessly scrolled past and forgotten in seconds, printed books offer something increasingly rare: permanence.
A book asks us to slow down. To spend time with an artist’s work. To notice the details, read the stories, and experience art without the distractions of an algorithm or a fleeting social media feed. It becomes more than a momentary encounter—it becomes a lasting record of a creative journey.
For emerging artists, that kind of documentation matters deeply. A printed publication preserves their work at a defining moment in their careers, creating an archive that can be revisited for years to come. Long after trends have changed and digital posts have disappeared, these pages remain—a tangible testament to where an artist began and the ideas they were exploring at this moment in time.
100 Emerging Artists 2026 is more than a beautifully designed book; it is a document of contemporary art history in the making. It captures a generation of artists whose practices are shaping conversations today and whose influence will continue to grow in the years ahead.
Why This Book Belongs on Your Shelf
Whether you’re an avid collector, a curator, an artist, an educator, or simply someone who finds joy in discovering remarkable creative work, 100 Emerging Artists 2026 offers something truly meaningful.
For collectors, it is an opportunity to discover tomorrow’s influential artists before they become widely recognized. For curators and galleries, it is a carefully curated resource filled with fresh perspectives and exciting new voices. For artists, it is a source of inspiration, connection, and a reminder that every creative journey begins somewhere. And for art lovers, it is an invitation to spend time with extraordinary work that challenges, moves, and inspires.
More than anything, this book is for those who believe that art deserves to be seen, remembered, and celebrated.
A Celebration of What Comes Next
Every established artist was once an emerging artist waiting to be discovered.
The pages of 100 Emerging Artists 2026 remind us that the future of contemporary art isn’t something distant—it’s already here, taking shape in studios around the world, in bold ideas, quiet moments of reflection, and countless hours of dedicated practice.
This collection celebrates those artists at a pivotal point in their journeys. It celebrates the curators, collectors, mentors, and communities who champion new voices. And it celebrates the enduring belief that creativity has the power to connect us, challenge us, and inspire us to see the world differently.
We hope these pages introduce you to artists whose work stays with you long after you’ve closed the book. Perhaps you’ll discover a future favorite, begin collecting an artist’s work, or simply find a new appreciation for the remarkable diversity of contemporary art today.
Because every great collection begins with a single discovery.
Add 100 Emerging Artists of 2026 to Your Collection
Every page of 100 Emerging Artists 2026 is an invitation to discover something new—a fresh perspective, an unforgettable story, or an artist whose work stays with you long after you’ve turned the page.
Thoughtfully curated and beautifully produced, this volume is more than a book. It’s a celebration of creativity, a lasting archive of emerging talent, and a window into the voices shaping the future of contemporary art.
Whether you’re an avid collector, a curator searching for new talent, an artist seeking inspiration, or simply someone who loves the transformative power of art, 100 Emerging Artists 2026 deserves a place on your bookshelf.
Discover the artists. Celebrate their journeys. Own the book that captures this remarkable moment in contemporary art. Shop your copy today.
