The Newport Art Museum announced Thursday that its signature summer fundraising events generated a record $648,500 to support exhibitions and programming, with attendance reaching more than 1,400 people across three days.
The museum’s Summer Art Party and Wet Paint events raised $428,500 for ongoing exhibitions, programming and community outreach. An additional $220,000 was raised to support four current exhibitions at the museum.
“It has been a remarkable summer at the Newport Art Museum, both at our events and in our galleries,” said Ruth Taylor, interim executive director. “NAM’s revitalized operational plan is an absolute success, not least because of the outpouring of support and genuine enthusiasm for our work and mission.”
The Summer Art Party, held July 11 on the lawn of the historic John N.A. Griswold House, drew more than 550 attendees for dinner, drinks and dancing. The event honored Minnie Cushing Coleman, whose grandfather’s artwork will remain on display at the museum until spring 2026.
Wet Paint, held Aug. 9, attracted more than 560 people for food trucks, live music, art demonstrations and family activities. Nearly 400 donated artworks from regional artists were auctioned, with popular pieces from Ashley Lippincott, Samantha Heydt, Chris Wyllie, Rick and Monica Murphy, and Nancy Parsons moving to a live auction format. Lippincott’s piece earned the top bid.
“Wet Paint is both a celebration of great art and an opportunity for everyone — professional and aspiring artists, art collectors and art lovers, and children and families — to connect with Newport’s creative community,” said Artistic Director Danielle Ogden.
The Wet Paint festivities included plein air painting sessions at locations throughout Newport, including Blue Garden and Trinity Church, and a preview party celebrating more than 350 contributing artists.
The museum’s four current exhibitions are “Sean Landers: Lost at Sea,” “Howard Gardiner Cushing: A Harmony of Line and Color,” “Bobby Anspach: Everything is Change,” and “Through A Collector’s Lens: Iconic Photography from the Christopher Hyland Collection.”
Founded in 1912 as the Art Association of Newport, the Newport Art Museum is located at 76 Bellevue Ave.
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Sen. Whitehouse, Sec. of State Amore, Touro Synagogue leaders and other community representatives spoke at the 78th reading of Gen. Washington’s letter on religious freedom, read by NHS’s Rebecca Bertrand.
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