MILESTONES

The invitation to the first Artists' Ball in 1920 invited guests to a "Fancy Dress Ball and Bazaar" and urged attendees to "come in costume to add to the brilliancy of the fête." We know from the Annual Report that, "Waves of color, etheral (sic) lights, sorcerers and humans from the wild man of prehistoric ages, through realms of all countries and periods, down to a finale of real Americanism, made the Artists' Ball at the Art Association...a great triumph."

In honor of the Museum's centennial, the Artists' Ball returns this year. Click here to learn about this year's ball.

Many of you know the sumptuous 1877 Benjamin Curtis Porter portrait of a twenty-something, no-nonesense Maud Howe Elliott that hangs in the library of the Museum's Griswold House. At mid-life Elliott, who was by that time an established author and activist, set a ball in motion that would quickly pick up steam and result in the founding of the Art Association of Newport (AAN). Elliott's lecture entitled "An Artist's Life in Rome" on March 20, 1912 and the exhibition that followed featured paintings by local artists, inspired the artistically inclined residents of Newport to form the Association in June of 1912 to promote "the cultivation of artistic endeavor and interest among the citizens of Newport." Read more on page 3 of our Winter 2012 Newsletter under "Museum Milestones: Early Exhibitions".

In 1913, just one year after the founding of the Art Association of Newport (AAN), the organization began offering daily art lessons in the old William Morris Hunt studio on Church Street adjacent to the current site of the Hotel Viking. John Elliott (Maud Howe Elliott's husband) ran the first course, joined by Helena Sturtevant. Albert Sterner and Sergeant Kendall also taught. The following autumn Helena Sturtevant took charge, ultimately becoming the school's longest-serving director. Read more on page 6 of our Winter 2012 Newsletter under "Museum Milestones: Teaching people to see".

During World War I, Army and Navy men stationed in Newport could take mechanical drawing and other art classes in Griswold House. The Art Association of Newport also hosted Sunday afternoon receptions and holiday balls for the military. Today, the Newport Art Museum continues to foster its special relationship with active military personnel and their families. We have offered discounted military memberships for many years and this fall we will hold a free day to honor and welcome this important community. Help us spread the word: Saturday, September 17, 2011 is free to all active military personnel and their families. From 10-11:30 we will offer a special Museum Explorers program; from 1-4 pm we will offer family-centered art activities and museum tours.

Music has been part of life at the Museum since the early days of the Art Association of Newport. In John Hopf's 1969 photo at left, musicians perform on the porch, almost six decades after our founding in 1912. Join us this summer for more al fresco entertainment during our PM Musical Picnics.

The Art Association of Newport (now the Newport Art Museum) has been offering art classes since 1913. By 1916, the Association had moved into Griswold House. Our art education programs have been in continuous operation ever since, making full use of our three-building campus.