Silent & Live Auctions Entertain, Raise Funds, Highlight NAM’s “Wet Paint”

Dodo Hamilton & friend

On Saturday, they sat on the beaches, on rocks, in front of impressive vistas, absorbed in the recording, interpreting. They were the artists, and they were creating canvases, drawings, water colors and photos for the 2010 “Wet Paint”.

At that evening's packed reception and silent auction were dealer William Vareika (who bought several canvases at Sunday’s auction,) Michael and Nancy Grinnell (she the Curator of Collections for NAM,) Tom and Lisa Goddard, Museum Director, and Charles Y. Duncan, of Newport’s First Ward. Written bids on the art became rapid scribbles!

Of course, it is the irrepressible Mike Corcoran that makes the Sunday afternoon auction under the tent, the closing event of the "Wet Paint" weekend, the uproarious “art happening” that it always is.

Tom Eberhardt & Daniel Burns at Friday's live acution

Auctioneer Corcoran, selling fresh paintings (do they go stale? Newport Seen thinks not,) only stuck his finger onto one oil painting “See, it’s wet,” he said to the delighted crowd.

The art is quite fine, too, and done in many mediums and styles, the artists donating the newly-created works to the Museum's fund raiser. An interesting piece at auction was a unique wind chime, created by Tom and Tom Goddard, father and son.

On Sunday, artists Pieter Roos, John McGowan, and Richard Grosvenor, called “the Godfather of Wet Paint”, and watched the live auction with intense interest, as several bidding rivalries flared up. Marilyn Bardis was a very active bidder, purchasing four works, and Mark Horan and Trish Hanley bid. Mr. Grosvenor’s painting of St. George’s school brought $1500, Pieter Roos’ painting of Quonset View Farm fetched $3600. A young lady answered a question posed by the auctioneer and received $10. Jessica Hagen and Michael Murphy served

as "spotters".

Sponsor Michael Murray& Paula Murray

were bidding!

“Wet Paint” brought in over $85,000 in support of the Museum's extensive exhibition, education and outreach programs.

According to event coordinator Tara Elliott, 269 artists from 14 different states contributed 418 artworks to the "Wet Paint" silent and live auctions. Attendance at the preview reception on Saturday and the live auction on Sunday was at an all time high. "Wet Paint 2010" was sponsored by William Vareika Fine Arts, Ltd, with help from Art New England, BankNewport, and the Norman Bird SanctuaryBird Ball. Newport Seen was media sponsor.Michael J. Murray, Esq., and Jessica Hagen served as co-chairs.