Artists paint en plein air Saturday morning along Newport's coast.

The Newport Art Museum, along with event co-chairs Rupert Nesbitt, Victoria Rios and Brooke Roberts, invites artists and the general public to participate in its annual public art making and auction weekend, Wet Paint, Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13.

Hundreds of artworks created by regional artists of all ages on Saturday will be sold “still wet” in silent and live auctions Sunday at the Museum, 76 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. The Wet Paint Committee includes Merrill Allen, Sandra Craig, Norah Diedrich, John Grosvenor, Lani Liuzza, Kristin MacMannis, Caroline Rios, Joanne Rodino, Molly Sabin, Marie Samuels, Cristin Searles and Francine Weiss.

Artists interested in making art for Wet Paint can register online at www.501auctions.com/wetpaint or in person at the Museum, on Saturday, August 12, 8 – 10:00 am, where they can pick up complimentary lunches and a Wet Paint t-shirt. Artists may submit up to two artworks in any medium. In the spirit of Wet Paint, the Museum encourages artists to submit art created en plein air on Saturday morning or their most recent work. Wet Paint artwork must be delivered to the Museum no later than 3pm. The Museum’s Griswold House galleries will be closed to the public during the day on Saturday, as Wet Paint artwork is dropped off and installed.

Those interested in bidding on Wet Paint artwork should attend the Preview Party, held Saturday night, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, for the start of the silent auction. Bidders may register to bid and view the artwork in the Museum, and enjoy appetizers and a cash bar on the lawn.Sunday festivities kick off at 9:30 am with a free community yoga class on the Museum lawn, which is open to all. Silent auction bidding continues Sunday, 12 – 3:00 pm. There will also be music, food and fun on the Museum’s lawn throughout the afternoon. A live auction, led by auctioneer George McNeely, will begin Sunday at 4:00 pm with a small selection of works juried into the live auction from the silent auction. McNeely, an architectural historian, lecturer, editor, writer and professional charity auctioneer, will travel to Newport from New York City to lead the live auction bidding. Proceeds benefit the Museum’s extensive education, exhibition and community outreach programs. Tickets to the Saturday Preview Party are free for participating Wet Paint artists and one guest; members $10, non-members $15. There is no admission to attend the auctions on Sunday.

Bidders who attend Saturday’s Preview Party, as well as Sunday’s silent auction, will be able to “BUY IT NOW” for the piece they just have to have. Artists are given the option to “opt out” of the BUY IT NOW feature upon registering for Wet Paint. BUY IT NOW prices are set based on the artists’ previous Wet Paint sales history.

Youth artists are welcome to participate in Wet Paint. Complimentary youth art canvases can be picked up at the Museum August 8 – 11, 10 am – 4:00 pm, or during the morning of registration.

For more information, visit www.501auctions.com/wetpaint or call 401-848-8200.

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