Napoles Marty, a US painter and sculptor based between Connecticut and Rhode Island, has won the 2026 Frieze Los Angeles Impact Prize. The award includes $25,000 and a solo stand at the fair, which opens in late February at Santa Monica Airport. Marty, whose work draws on dream imagery and his Cuban heritage, was selected by a jury including collectors Allison K. Berg and Maisha C. Clark. He will collaborate with fair organizers and Diana Nawi, curator of special projects at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, on his presentation. Marty was previously a member of the sixth cohort of Nxthvn, a Connecticut-based arts incubator founded by artist Titus Kaphar and impact investor Jason Price.
The prize, now in its fifth year, supports early-career artists and is given in partnership with Nxthvn. Marty's win highlights the growing role of incubators and non-profit organizations in elevating emerging talent within major art fairs. His inclusion also underscores Frieze Los Angeles's commitment to diverse, community-rooted practices, as past recipients include street artist Victor "Marka27" Quiñonez and textile artist Gary Tyler. The award provides significant visibility and financial support for an artist at a pivotal career stage.