Miami Beach, Fla. — April 6, 2026 — Oolite Arts announces the return of The Ellies, Oolite Arts Awards, taking place on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 1111 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach. The annual celebration brings together artists, collectors, and community leaders to honor artistic excellence and invest in the future of South Florida’s creative community.

The evening begins with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by the award ceremony at 6:30 p.m., and a celebratory party from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Now in its eighth edition, The Ellies, Oolite Arts Awards have expanded eligibility to include artists living and working across Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe counties, reflecting Oolite Arts’ commitment to meet artists where they are and support their growth as they seek new, affordable spaces to create and thrive.

For the first time, the awards are fully unrestricted, providing artists with greater flexibility to advance their practices. This year, winning artists will collectively receive $425,000 in direct financial support, with an additional $75,000 in acquisitions, bringing the total investment to $4.1 million awarded to artists throughout the program’s history.

“The Ellies represent more than recognition. They are a direct investment in artists and in the cultural future of our region,” said John Abodeely, President and CEO of Oolite Arts. “By expanding access and providing unrestricted support, we are strengthening the foundation for artists to build sustainable careers.”

Proceeds and support from The Ellies directly fuel Oolite Arts’ mission to provide artists with the resources they need to create, connect, and grow through residencies, exhibitions, and public programs. The awards play a vital role in sustaining a vibrant and evolving arts ecosystem across South Florida.

The Ellies, Oolite Arts Awards are widely recognized as South Florida’s premier art award program, celebrating the artists shaping the region today and defining its cultural future.

For more information, tickets, or sponsorship opportunities, visit oolitearts.org.

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Oolite Arts is Miami’s leading support organization for visual artists. Founded in 1984, Oolite Arts provides studios, residencies, exhibitions, and funding to help artists while also offering art classes, cinematic programs, and community initiatives that connect the public to the power of creativity. Exhibitions and programs at Oolite Arts are made possible with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council and the Miami-Dade Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; the Florida Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Arts Council; The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation at The Miami Foundation; the City of Miami Beach Department of Tourism and Cultural Development, Office of Cultural Affairs, and the Miami Beach Mayor and City Commissioners; the Collective Circle and SHE Collective members; and additional support by Walgreens Company. Oolite Arts is a registered 501(c)(3) organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.