Diane Arrieta named as the 2026 Helen M. Salzberg Visiting Artist

Palm Beach State College has selected Diane Arrieta as the 2026 Helen M. Salzberg Visiting Artist, recognizing her dynamic exploration of the intersections between nature, culture and feminine resilience.

Drawing from her Lenape and Czechoslovakian agrarian heritage, Arrieta’s work delves into the relationships between land, cultural memory, and the endurance of the feminine spirit. Her sculptural installations combine clay, fiber, and found materials with industrial elements to highlight the tension between ancestral environments and the forces of modern disruption. Trained in Wildlife and Ecosystems Health, she approaches her creative process as a form of ecological listening—amplifying the voices of endangered species and examining the consequences of human behavior on fragile ecosystems. Her art has been exhibited across the United States and the United Kingdom, earning her multiple awards and critical recognition.

As part of her residency, Arrieta will deliver an artist talk on Tuesday, Feb. 3, from 3:30–4:45 p.m. in Meldon Hall (BB-111) during Palm Beach State College’s annual Liberal Arts Conference. She will discuss her life, artistic practice, and the ecological themes that inform her work, followed by a Q&A session. The talk will be immediately followed by an opening reception for her solo exhibition at the Helen M. Salzberg Gallery.

A longtime supporter of the college, Helen M. Salzberg is a philanthropist and arts patron whose generosity has enriched Palm Beach State’s cultural and educational programs. Her vision for accessible, inspiring art experiences continues to shape the college’s arts initiatives. Through her namesake gallery on the Palm Beach Gardens campus and visiting artist endowment, Salzberg’s legacy endures—encouraging emerging and established artists alike to share their perspectives and inspire the next generation of creative thinkers.