Newport’s Puddingstone events are a triumphant celebration of the arts

Story by Ruthie Wood, photos by Jack Casey

Newport has a secret society dedicated to celebrating the arts. Or at least, that’s how it feels considering how few people discuss the elite monthly artistic showings that occur in various locations around Aquidneck Island, despite the fact there was quite a gathering at the presentation at the Gardiner House, titled “Impressionism and Beyond,” on Thursday, February 22. Even the valet spoke clandestinely, asking if I was at the hotel to attend “The Event.” 

Some of the secrecy may be because Puddingstone Events are relatively new. The official inauguration of the event series was October 5, 2023, at Greenvale Vineyards – just four months ago – with one show per month since then. Another reason for the secrecy may be due to the high quality of artists presented at the events; no one wants to miss out on seeing the best of the best if tickets sell out too fast! 

One of the goals of the event series is to bridge performance and non-performance artworks. The name “Puddingstone” represents this; “puddingstone,” explains Clemens Teufel, an accomplished pianist and founder of the series, “is a conglomerate rock that involves the fusion of different quartzes,” in this case symbolizing the fusion of the arts. The name is also a double entendre for those who know the geology of Aquidneck Island – Hanging Rock in Middletown is made of puddingstone. For this most recent showing, music, oil painting, and ballet were experienced together in a rich, multi-sensual wonderland of art – a “Gesamtkunstwerk,” as Teufel puts it in reference to his German background. Past events have also featured poetry readings, and any other art form (like photography, for example) may be involved at a future event.

Puddingstone isn’t a typical performance experience. Audience members are invited to experience a “salon-style format.” Teufel explains that “salon” means that “the program should be in a personal, intimate, and less regimented setting.” At the Gardiner House, rows of chairs circled a grand piano and a large seascape oil painting; at the fringes of the circle were plush couches and oversized chairs to create conversation “pits,” and the cozily darkened side room facing the water was opened to guests to mingle over drinks and a charcuterie board. The entire setting was transformed into a private refuge of art, recalling the 19th-century idea of salon gatherings occurring in a home. 

“Impressionism and Beyond” began with the introduction of the famous Fidelio Trio, a violin, cello, and piano group that were shortlisted for the 1026 Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards, and who have played internationally. Their expressive, effortless performance of Beethoven’s “Archduke’ Trip Op 97” drew audience members into the trio’s private world of music, the notes floating over the gathering in waves and swells.

The trio performed pieces from a mix of composers – dead and alive, American and European – casting out raw emotion and curious imagery through the power of music; Darius Brubeck’s “Tugela Rail” can only be considered as “happy” and “bright,” conjuring images of a sparkling Tugela River. When the trio played the world premiere of Boston composer John McDonald’s “Frail, Faint; Nerves Bad” (who was there to introduce the piece, which was about vulnerability), the bright room suddenly became ominous and dark, leaking tension and fear with every keystroke and draw of the bow. 

As the Fidelio Trio played Philip Glass’ “Head On” and through parts of Maurice Ravel’s four-movement piece “Piano Trio in A Minor,” Newport’s own contemporary ballet dancer Katie Moorhead performed improvised dances. In “Head On,” her lithe, sharply subtle movements were punctuated by slow, flowing, graceful arcs of her body, creating a performance that was arresting, startling, and hypnotic. During “Piano Trio in A Minor,” Moorhead introduced a character that danced in recognition to the history and deep emotionality of the music; Ravel composed the piece the summer of 1914, as Europe descended into World War I, and Moorhead’s character seemed to tell a story of a woman who experienced love and grief through war. 

During the intermission, guests were encouraged to view three oil paintings by award-winning painter Katie Swatland. Her larger seascape spilled off the canvas and onto the stage via props, like driftwood, cleverly arranged to bleed on setting into the next. The crown piece of her work, however, was “Moonlit Dreams” (oil on linen), with each careful brushstroke capturing the distinct textures of a sleeping woman’s lacy dress, her hair, a stucco wall, and gentle ocean.  

With each Puddingstone event, world culture via the arts appears live in the local community. It is a phenomenal treat to be exposed to not just elite artists of one form, but to be exposed to outstanding art and artists from many different disciplines, all in a single evening. Teufel’s goal is to broaden the community’s artistic horizons and to “provide and environment where one is able to relax and breathe while being immersed in the arts. If we accomplish that, we have already achieved a wonderful goal for our community: to bring more joy to everyone’s lives through the arts!”   

For more information and to view upcoming events, please visit the Puddingstone Events website listed here.

Photo Gallery

All photos by Jack Casey