Every March, Philadelphia’s contemporary art scene gets a moment that is equal parts cultural reset and community homecoming—and March for Art 2026 is that moment. From March 9 through 20, InLiquid Gallery brings its annual celebration of contemporary visual arts back to the Icebox Project Space inside the Crane Arts Building in South Kensington, inviting collectors, arts professionals, and curious newcomers to view and purchase more than 200 works while directly supporting the region’s working artists. More than an auction, March for Art 2026 is a two-week immersion in what’s being made right now in Philadelphia, and why it matters.
March for Art 2026 puts the work first, but never forgets the people behind it. The auction features an impressive range of contemporary fine art by the Philadelphia region’s standout creators, including names like painter and photographer Diane Burko, photo-based multidisciplinary artist Gabe Martinez, and interdisciplinary artist, photographer, and educator Peggy Washburn. The setting helps, too: the Icebox Project Space has that expansive, industrial scale that makes you slow down, step back, and really look—exactly what contemporary work deserves, especially when you’re deciding what you want to live with long after the bidding ends.
This event also carries real legacy. For two decades, InLiquid has gathered the region’s creative community in Olde Kensington for this signature fundraiser. Formerly known as “The Benefit,” March for Art 2026 continues the tradition while keeping the focus on an artist-first model that feels both fair and urgent: proceeds from each sale are shared directly with participating artists, ensuring meaningful financial support for working creatives while sustaining InLiquid’s nonprofit mission. In a city where artists power the culture but don’t always see the upside, March for Art 2026 lands differently—in the best way.
March for Art 2026, the Shop
While the auction runs, InLiquid Gallery also hosts the March for Art Shop, open through March 28, expanding the experience beyond walls and frames into the objects that shape how we live. If you’re the kind of person who loves discovering a piece that feels one-of-one—something you can wear, use, or gift with pride—this is where March for Art 2026 gets especially addictive. The Shop features art jewelry, clothing, furniture, and homewares by local craftspeople, built around a curated selection of contemporary jewelry by Philadelphia-based and regional makers.
The lineup includes Mia Kaplan, whose sculptural jewelry draws inspiration from childhood nostalgia, memory, and identity, pieces that feel like small emotional artifacts you carry with you. Sarah Montagnoli brings pillowed metal forms that encapsulate fragments of personal history—quietly bold, the kind of work you keep noticing over time. Maddy Hirsch focuses on the intersection of art, ecology, and sustainable, community-driven design, giving the Shop a thoughtful, material-conscious edge that feels very now.
And Caroline Gore grounds her practice in traditional analog processes, working primarily with sterling silver, semi-precious minerals and stones, plus other material investigations that read as classic craft with a contemporary point of view. These artists are only a handful of the many craftspeople featured across the auction and Shop, giving March for Art 2026 real depth and community connection.
March for Art 2026 brings the parties, previews, and perks
March for Art 2026 is designed to be experienced in layers, with both free and ticketed events that keep the energy moving across the two weeks. It starts with March for Art: PEEK on Monday, March 9, 6–9 p.m., an exclusive preview party for participating artists, sponsors, and VIP ticket holders—basically your best shot at seeing everything early and making a calm, confident move before bidding heats up.
Then there’s March for Art: UNITE/Second Thursday on March 12, 6–9 p.m., when the Crane Arts Building opens its doors to the public for free. It’s one of those Philly nights that feels like the city is doing what it does best: opening the galleries, spilling onto the corridor, and celebrating the arts collectively. With InLiquid and the entire N. American Street Arts Corridor in the mix, March for Art 2026 becomes bigger than a single event—it becomes a neighborhood-wide art walk worth planning your night around.
On Saturday, March 14, 12–4 p.m., March for Art: DESIGN adds a trunk show vibe that bridges art and style. You can meet the artist members of InLiquid at a special Member Mixer and shop vendors including Care Packages Bakes, John Wind Jewelry, Rudy Lewis Jewelry, Roberta Gruber Designs, Nino Brand, Paz Sandoval, and Prajje. This is the day I’d bring the friend with the best taste—because March for Art 2026 DESIGN is where you find something you didn’t know you needed until you see it.
And then the finale: March for Art: BASH on Friday, March 20, 6:30–10 p.m.—the big closing-night celebration where the auction clock ticks down, and the whole thing feels like a proper Philly fête. As InLiquid puts it, it’s “the party to be at” and “the fête of the season,” with art, fun, food, drinks, and surprises as the bids come to a close. If you’re going to circle one night on the calendar for March for Art 2026, this is the one.
InLiquid is also making it easy for visitors to turn March for Art 2026 into a weekend plan by partnering with Archway Hotel Residence in Fishtown. Attendees can receive 20% off accommodations, including a special one-night stay exception on Friday, March 20, with the discount extended through the weekend for longer stays. Even better, Archway’s guest services team can help lock in dining reservations at its Fishtown sister restaurants—Suraya, Kalaya, Pizzeria Beddia, and Picnic—which is a very Philly way to build the perfect art-and-dinner itinerary.
Rachel Zimmerman, InLiquid’s Executive Director and Founder, sums up why this event keeps growing into a city staple: “March for Art is Philadelphia’s largest art sale featuring Philadelphia-based artists and designers.” She adds, “With the art on display for two weeks and a full calendar of special events, it’s a truly unique opportunity to see, support and purchase artwork by our city’s foremost artists.” That’s the heart of March for Art 2026—two weeks where buying art doesn’t moves beyond consumption. It is participation.
About Post Author
Discover more from dosage MAGAZINE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.