Remembering the Ladies:
Women and the Art Association of Newport

June 11 - October 16, 2011
Members' Reception June 10

Benjamin Curtis Porter Portrait of Maud Howe (Elliott), 1897, Oil on Canvas. (left) Adele Herter Maud Howe Elliott, 1940, Oil on canvas, Society of Four Arts, Palm Beach; Gift of Mrs. Lorenzo Woodhouse. (right)

It has almost one hundred years (1912-2011) since Maud Howe Elliott and a group of artists and intellectuals formed the Art Association of Newport (now the Newport Art Museum) to benefit the cultural life of the community. For decades Elliott served as the "director" [secretary], development officer, marketing department and curator of the Association. Her involvement is emblematic of the pivotal role women played in the formation, direction and administration of this organization. This summer you can explore the history of women and the Art Association and see artwork by significant regional and national female artists who have exhibited here since 1912 including Helena and Louisa Sturtevant, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, Lilla Cabot Perry, Gertrude Fiske, Isabel Bishop and Nancy Elizabeth Prophet. Portraits of Maud Howe Elliott and Catharine Morris Wright will also be featured, as well as several portrait drawings by longtime Newport Art Museum instructor Marian Carry.

WILLIAM VAREIKA FINE ARTS LTD, Suzanne and Terrence Murray, and Diane B. Wilsey.

Gallery talk with Nancy Whipple Grinnell and Catherine Little Bert, director and owner of Bert Gallery: "Women at Mid-Century at the Art Association of Newport."
Thursday, August 4, 5:30 pm
This free event is part of Newport Gallery Night.

China Blue: Firefly Projects

June 4 - September 5, 2011
Members' Reception June 10

China Blue, The Firefly Cloud, 2010, Mixed media.

Rhode Island artist China Blue is interested in data and how it shapes our lives. For almost a decade and a half she has been immersed in creating sound art works that focus on turning data into sound, a process called "sonification." In a new exhibition at the Newport Art Museum, China Blue comments on the Fragility of our ecosystem by creating a series of artworks incorporating lights, sound, robotics and forms inspired by and mimicking fireflies. China Blue is a two-time NASA grant recipient (she recorded NASA's Vertical Gun) and an internationally exhibiting artist. In 2007, she became the first person to document sounds emanating from the iron of the Eiffel Tower. In 2008, China Blue created Aqua Alta, an immersive sound experience that captured the unique sounds of the waters of Venice and the gondolas that glide through them. Aqua Alta was installed at OPEN XI, the International Exhibition of Sculpture and Installations held in conjunction with the Architecture Biennale at Isola di San Servolo, Venice, Italy.

Join China Blue for a gallery talk during Newport Gallery Night on Thursday, July 14 at 5:30 pm in Griswold House. Admission is FREE.

Upstairs in the Studio Gallery

Things with Wings
May 29 - October 23, 2011
Members' Reception June 10

This invitational exhibition, including work from area artists and permanent collection, is an eclectic and entertaining look at both earthly and heavenly bodies that fly.