Canvas-ing the Island, Artists Create Works for the Newport Art Museum

Betty Ann Morris painted a harbor scene for "Wet Paint"

The paints were wet, the easels were up, the weather lovely, and 300 Newport area artists en masse were creating original works for the annual "Wet Paint" silent and live auctions, a weekend long orgy of art at the Newport Art Museum's 2011 Wet Paint event.

448 works of art were created and sold to the highest bidder in a two- stage event: A reception and silent auction within the Museum on Saturday night, and a lively and somewhat raucous live auction on Sunday afternoon. Always a genial and spirited event, the "Wet Paint" auction featured the ebullient auctioneer Mike Corcoran, (who might consider stand up comedy as a second career.)

"Wet Paint" has been a unique event on the summer arts calendar since 1994 for artists in search of an audience, art collectors seeking new finds, and visitors looking for unique remembrances of Newport.

Scott Shiland, Terry & Rick Grosvenor

Co-chairs for this year's event were Jessica Hagen-Hill,

Tom Eberhardt, and Brooke Roberts, who worked hard as spotters during the auction. Lively bidding from Dodo Hamilton, Mr. Vareika himself (who knows a good canvas when he sees one), Marilyn Bardes, and others. Museum Director Lisa Goddard welcomed and thanked the audience.

Newport Seen saw painters Fred Cushing and Pieter Roos, who watched as their creations elicited spirited bidding, Former Secretary of the Navy Bill Millandal, the elegant Caterine Millinaire (formerly of Vogue magazine), Judy Chaves of Eisenhower House, and Richard and Margot Grosvenor. Mr. Corcoran cited Dick Grosvenor as the artist who began Wet Paint, and commented that, however, Margot was prettier. Congressman David Cicilline bought a canvas, and Sandra Craig, more than one.

Freddy Cushing & Happy Van Beuren

An interesting pledge auction was held to raise funds to restore a William Trost Richards painting in the Museum's collection. Pledges ranged from $25 to $250, the latter a closing offer from Dodo Hamilton.

The celebration of local artists was an artistic and financial success. $5,000 was raised for the restoration of the Trost Richards, with Ed Harvey giving $3,500 at the live auction.

Wet Paint was sponsored by William Vareika Fine Arts Ltd, and proceeds support the Newport Art Museum's exhibition, education, outreach and historic preservation programs.

-- L.P.