The Newport Art Museum (NAM) announced this week the opening of a compelling new exhibition by renowned photo artist, filmmaker, author, and clinical psychologist Donna Bassin.
Donna Bassin: Portraits of the Precarious Earth debuts on January 29, offering visitors a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between art, psychology, and environmental awareness, according to the Newport Art Museum.
In addition to her works, Bassin will curate selections from NAM’s permanent collection of 19th-century landscape paintings and will feature hundreds of student works in partnership with the Aquidneck Land Trust and the Bradley School.
“It is an honor to have Donna Bassin showcasing this incredible work at the Newport Art Museum, where Portraits of the Precarious Earth invites us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world and its profound impact on our collective future,” said NAM Artistic Director Danielle Ogden in a press release. “We are particularly excited for Donna’s willingness to connect with the broader Newport community and curate from the Museum’s permanent collection to create a truly immersive experience.”
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Bassin is a 2024 Puffin Foundation Artist Grant recipient. Portraits of the Precarious Earth draws from her acclaimed series Environmental Melancholia, presenting photo-based landscapes that delve into the emotional and psychological impacts of the global environmental crisis.
“Newport is a place of great natural beauty, which makes the Newport Art Museum an ideal home for showcasing artwork that speaks to the fragility of our environment,” said Bassin in a press release. “The exhibit’s strong message about the climate crisis and its impact on our collective well-being is made all the more powerful with the inclusion of locally created works and extraordinary pieces from NAM’s permanent collection.”
The exhibition experience illustrates rich collaboration with the Newport community and local students. In partnership with the Aquidneck Land Trust and its annual Art and Writing Competition, over 200 works of art created by area elementary, middle, and high school students will be installed in the Museum’s Cushing Gallery. Students were asked to respond to the prompt, “What does nature mean to you?” and to find motivation in Bassin’s exploration of environmental loss.
“This partnership puts the passion and talent of Newport County students on full display and showcases how the next generation is embracing environmental conservation and stewardship,” said Terry Sullivan, executive director of the Aquidneck Land Trust.
In collaboration with the Bradley School, NAM teaching artist Charlene Carpenzano worked with in-patient students to explore the personal meaning of nature. After meeting with Donna and participating in guided workshops, the students crafted poetry and reflections that will be integrated into a site-specific installation. These works were created as part of an ongoing program in which Bradley students have been taking part in art education and therapy through NAM for more than 20 years.
“Art is a powerful medium by which our students express themselves, and this longtime program with the Newport Art Museum provides incredible avenues for learning and creativity,” said Trish Martins, education director of The Bradley Schools in a press release. “To meet and work with Donna, and to have their work on view as part of this exhibit highlights the great artistic collaborations of this community and provides our students with an important opportunity in their educational program.”
Student work from both Aquidneck Land Trust and the Bradley School will appear alongside items from the permanent collection curated by Bassin, including notable pieces by George Inness and William Trost Richards, inviting reflection on 19th-century landscape painters as early environmentalists.
The opening of Donna Bassin: Portraits of the Precarious Earth will take place on Wednesday, January 29, from 5 to 7 p.m., and will include a community reception and student showcase. The exhibit will be on display in the Griswold House from January 29 through May 5, 2025.
