The Newport Art Museum (NAM) will unveil two new exhibits as part of its upcoming Free For All Saturday event on December 14. The exhibits, which celebrate art, creativity, and history in the City of Newport, will be on display as the public is invited to explore the museum at no cost.
Free For All Saturday is made possible with the support of sponsors BankNewport and the Rhode Island Foundation, as well as community partners Rhode Island Black Storytellers, Grafik Coffee, and Viking Tours of Newport. RSVPs are appreciated and can be made on the NAM website.
“Free For All Saturday is a perfect opportunity for the community to connect with artists and neighbors in exploring both our extensive permanent collection and new exhibitions that spark reflection and inspiration,” said NAM Executive Director Danielle Ogden. “We are proud to invite members, families, community partners, and first-time visitors as we unveil these exhibits that embody Newport’s creative spirit and rich history.”
One of the new exhibits, (Without You) I’m Just An Empty Shell, is a functional sculpture in the form of a foldable chair. The design is inspired by Newport’s natural surroundings, utilizing local oyster species and materials sourced from Rhode Island sheep farms. It is the work of artist, fashion designer, and Artist in Residence Andrea Spiridonakos. Spiridonakos created the sculpture while taking part in the museum’s residency program AiR/Newport, which is funded this year by EJMP Fund for Philanthropy and the Edward W Kane and Martha J Wallace Family Foundation.
“From the time I arrived at the Museum, I have felt immersed in Newport’s history, culture, and way of life,” said artist Andrea Spriridonakos. “Newport Art Museum’s open and welcoming atmosphere gave me the freedom to do the work and make art in a way that sets itself apart from other museums and residencies.”
Spiridonakos rounds out an impressive line-up of AiR/Newport artists in 2024. She follows Ellen Xu, a visual artist whose work explores humanity’s relationship with the environment, and Lori Larusso, whose work focuses on issues of class, gender, and anthropocentrism. Through the program, all three artists were provided a space to live and work at NAM, as well as a stipend for their time creating at the museum. The program was launched in 2020 and continues to engage new artistic perspectives into the Newport Art Museum community.
The other exhibit, Art Through the Ages: A House of Timeless Treasures, is dedicated to NAM itself: its historic buildings and its 112-year legacy as a cultural hub in Newport. Founded in 1912 as the Art Association of Newport, the museum continues to be a place of creativity, expression, and community, which will be depicted through a robust collection of art, photography, and historic documents. The exhibit also relays the story of Griswold House, NAM’s main building, which was designed by Richard Morris Hunt and has hosted events such as grand balls and art shows since its completion in 1864. Central to the exhibit is a large-scale piece of artwork capturing the history and spirit of the museum and its many stages.
“This exhibition puts on full display the museum’s history as the Griswold family’s summer home and as an epicenter of art and creative education from 1912 to today,” said Emilia Sywolski, NAM’s visitor services and programs coordinator. “The collection of works we have gathered celebrate the beating heart of Newport’s storied creative community that the museum and its buildings have become.”
The exhibition was created in partnership with Mike Franco, an attorney who lives in a historic home in Newport and has a lifelong interest in history and architecture. Franco is a moderator of the popular Newport Lost & Found social media page, which is focused on the city’s Gilded Age architecture. The exhibit will be on display through May 6, 2025, in the museum’s Blue Room Gallery.
