LOS ANGELES, CA.- ART FOR CHANGE, a curated program of online sales and exhibitions at the intersection of contemporary art and philanthropy, announced Puerto Rican artist Joshua Nazario as the first 2026 ART FOR CHANGE Artist-in-Residence in Santa Monica, California. The residency will take place from January 7-February 28. Additionally ART FOR CHANGE will present a limited edition series of 15 hand-embellished prints, debuting online on January 27, 2026 via artforchange.com.

This year, ART FOR CHANGE is partnering with Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States, which operates a network of 200 food banks nationwide — including locations in Puerto Rico, California, and New York. For every artwork sold, a portion of proceeds will go directly to Feeding America, providing at least ten meals per dollar donated.

“Food insecurity is one of the most urgent issues across the country, affecting millions of children, families, and seniors,” said Jeanne Masel, Founder & Curator-In-Chief, ART FOR CHANGE. “Its even more pressing in the context of the soaring costs of living with little relief in sight. Through our ongoing support of Feeding America, we hope to bring immediate relief to communities facing hunger, while connecting our collectors with a tangible impact that extends beyond the art world.”

“I’m incredibly thrilled to be a part of this residency — not only because of what ART FOR CHANGE represents, but also for the chance to create and experiment in a new space and in a new city I have yet to visit before! “Joshua Nazario

“From the moment we encountered Joshua’s work, it was clear that he brings an extraordinary perspective shaped by lived experience, resourcefulness, and imagination. This residency is an opportunity to give him time, space, and community to further his vision, while connecting him with collectors who genuinely care about values embedded in his practice,” added Masel.


Joshua Nazario, El Corta Plátanos (The Banana Cutter), 2025, hand-embellished limited edition prints

A self-taught artist, Nazario is known for his use of industrial materials such as wood and concrete in sculptures that often depict race cars, sports figures, and symbols of luxury, juxtaposed with everyday objects that reflect life on the island of Puerto Rico. His practice began with collages made from skateboard magazines and evolved during the pandemic into painting and sculpture using materials found around his home. Through his work, Nazario explores themes of self-identity, sports, culture, and Puerto Rican life.

Via this dynamic residency program ART FOR CHANGE deepens its commitment to supporting both artists and socially conscious collectors. By offering a dedicated collector base access to works by incredible emerging talents, we continue fostering meaningful connections between artists and patrons who share a passion for art that drives positive change. This residency will provide chosen artists-in-residence with valuable opportunities for career development, exposure, and the chance to create work that resonates with critical issues, such as climate change. Selected artists for this program will have the chance to focus uninterrupted on their practice during their stay in a furnished home and fully equipped studio space in Santa Monica, as well as promotional support through ART FOR CHANGE. Once the residency draws to a close, artists will have the opportunity to showcase their work.

JOSHUA NAZARIO

Joshua Nazario (b. 2001, San Germán, Puerto Rico) is a self-taught artist currently based in Isabela, Puerto Rico. Raised in the neighboring town of Sabana Grande, he grew interested in culture, cars and sports such as basketball and cycling which have become the backbone of his artistic practice today. He has exhibited in shows between New York, Puerto Rico and Los Angeles for the past several years at galleries and fairs including his first solo exhibition at EMBAJADA, San Juan (2024) followed by a solo presentation at NADA New York (2025) and group exhibitions at NADA Miami (2024, 2025), Future Fair, New York (2024), PROXYCO, New York (2024), Dinner Gallery, New York (2022), and Charlie James Gallery, Los Angeles (2022). He recently completed his first artist residency at Bed Stuy Art Residency in Brooklyn, NY and will participate in ART FOR CHANGE's residency in LA this coming winter (2026).

ART FOR CHANGE

ART FOR CHANGE is a curated program of online sales and exhibitions at the intersection of contemporary art and philanthropy that connects socially conscious art collectors with in-demand contemporary artists and their work. A platform for discovery, ART FOR CHANGE offers a curated selection of museum-quality prints and original works at approachable price points. By leveraging their deep relationships with artists, galleries, and collectors, they affect positive change in the world by donating a portion of every purchase to relevant non-profits. As with all of ART FOR CHANGE’s initiatives, artists receive 50% of the net proceeds of each sale under the belief that direct investment in artists is vital to a thriving cultural ecosystem. ART FOR CHANGE is committed to making the art collecting process more accessible through selling quality prints and artworks at manageable prices, and by providing art advisory services and best-in-class insights and education to new and seasoned collectors alike.