Newport Art Museum’s Wet Paint 2024 Promises Community and Creativity

"It all started with Richard Grosvenor, who was a well-known watercolor painter on our board,” begins Cristin Searles Bilodeau, director of visitor services and community engagement at Newport Art Museum. “There was a shortfall [of funds] and they needed to raise some money, so he came up with this idea where folks would go out into the community and paint en plein air and then bring their wet canvas back to the museum to be hung up and then auctioned off that evening – all in one day. So it was really fun.”

Now in its 31st year, Newport Art Museum’s Wet Paint is a community summertime staple. The beloved event centers around a massive silent auction of original, artist-donated works that transform the museum campus into a large and inclusive gallery of community artists. The format has evolved over the last few years and artists now have weeks to develop and curate their pieces before bringing the finished work back to Bellevue Avenue. There are also outdoor group paintings scheduled at nearby scenic locations including the Blue Garden.

Artists of all talent levels and ages are invited to pick up a free art board (12”x12”x12” for adults, 8”x8”x8” for youth) at the museum after registering online. Kids at the museum’s summer art programs and at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center are also given boards to encourage participation. Museum executive director Danielle Ogden shares that it’s not uncommon for several generations within a family to contribute art pieces. Even some museum staffers join in and submit. Photography and sculpture are also welcome, as long as pieces fit the prescribed format.

Once all artwork is received and displayed, there is a special preview party for participating artists the day before the actual Wet Paint celebration. The evening of art, food, live music, and kids’ activities is a huge draw with hundreds of avid art enthusiasts expected to take part in the auction; 100 percent of artwork sales are donated to the museum, which raises a significant amount. Online bidding is also available this year.

“The museum campus is activated with projects inspired by our gallery spaces, teaching artists engaging with kids, and live music. It’s a wonderful community gathering and very much part of our strategic vision of having the campus be a hub, a resource for the community. It represents the artistic spirit and creativity of this town, the history of Newport, our museum’s programming, community, and engagement,” says Ogden. “It’s such a celebratory day!” Learn more at NewportArtMuseum.org