Don’t Miss: ‘Wet Paint’ Fundraiser This Weekend

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Friday, August 20, 2010

ARTS by Andrea E. McHugh, GoLocalProv Lifestyle Editor

In what has become a tradition among novice and well-collected plein air painters state-wide, Newport Art Museum’s annual Wet Paint event takes place in two distinct installments this Saturday and Sunday, August 21-22.

On Saturday, artists of all levels and mediums are invited to hit the streets, the beaches and the stunning vistas peppered throughout Newport County and paint on location to create original works of art for this popular public event and fundraiser. Passers-by are encouraged to chat with artists and check out their works-in-progress. Back at the Museum, meanwhile, ceramic artist Charlene Carpenzano will lead a glaze and fire (bake) demonstration with dozens of tea bowls using an ancient Japanese technique called Raku, from 11am to 3pm, which will be sold during the Wet Paint auctions.

Up for bid

Artists return with their works by Saturday afternoon where Museum staff and volunteers will hurriedly hang more than 400 entries (including a "children's gallery”) and silent bidding gets underway during a preview reception from 6pm to 8pm at the Museum's Griswold House (admission for Museum members is $10; non-members $15).

Silent bidding continues on Sunday between noon and 3pm. Jurors will select 50 works for a live auction on the Museum’s sprawling lawn where seasoned Wet Paint auctioneer, Michael Corcoran, will begin taking bids in-between his humorous, impromptu commentary, starting at 4pm. All are welcome to attend the live auction and there is no admission fee, but come early because seats fill quickly with Wet Paint regulars.

For more information, visit http://www.newportartmuseum.org or call 848-8200.