Interview With Richard Hunt

"Lecture followed by tea" has been a tradition at the Newport Art Museum since the early days of the Art Association of Newport. We're marking the eighty-second anniversary of this informative and entertaining series in 2009. Art Matters editor, Gayle Hargreaves recently put a few questions to Richard (Dick) Hunt, Chair of the Winter Lecture Series Committee.

GAYLE HARGREAVES: I’ve heard that the Winter Lecture Series committee meetings can be pretty spirited. Are you a lively bunch?

RICHARD HUNT: I can't say enough about our committee and our meetings. We have this terrific group of divergent thinkers with a wonderful and unique ability to accept a broad range of ideas from each other. So our meetings are fun, give and take sessions. Solid experience guides the way but doesn’t squash bold new thinking.

GH: Did a theme emerge as you put together the list of lectures this year?

RH: As we talked during our meetings, we started to see a theme of exploration emerge. We have two adventurous speakers who have explored the Arctic and Mount Everest. The others are exploring new ideas and changes in thinking about "Green", the mind, politics, restoration, media and the basic nourishment of the world. Art has always been a great adventure - an exploration of new techniques, styles and subjects. Art has always represented the scenes, events and discoveries of contemporary societies and the leading artist has always been an adventurer - an explorer.

GH: What does the tradition of the Winter Lecture Series mean to you?

RH: For me personally, the tradition of the WLS means responsibility. Frankly, I'm kind of in awe of the continuity of this series and the consistent quality of the content and speakers and the respect that other institutions and individuals have for our audience. Eighty-two years is a long time and now I have the responsibility of each succeeding year in my hands. My challenges are how to maintain the substance? How to keep it poignant, to respond the mission of the Museum and its heritage? Yet, how to change - to make it relevant and respond to the needs and interests of a changing audience?

The 2009 Winter Lecture Series Committee:

Richard Hunt
Burton Alpert
Bruce Amand
Jeannie Brown
Steve Caminis
Mary de Leiris
George Furbish
Cora Lee Gibbs
Elizabeth Goddard
Margot Grosvenor
Judy Hambleton