Arts Around the Fire to feature Victoria Cimino, Discover Newport’s new President and CEO

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Newport County’s networking event, Arts Around the Fire, continues on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sardella’s Restaurant.

The Alliance’s guest will be Victoria Cimino, an award-winning destination leader and brand expert who recently came to Newport as President and CEO of Discover Newport. Stepping into the shoes of longtime leader Evan Smith, Cimino brings over 20 years of hospitality and destination marketing experience to this role. Cimino previously served as president and CEO of Visit Williamsburg, the official destination marketing organization for Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown, Virginia. 

This free event is open to the public and no reservations are needed.

Arts Around the Fire is an opportunity for artists, writers, performers, and audiences to engage with colleagues about events affecting the cultural community, and to learn about new ideas and artistic endeavors. Interested parties are invited to sign up for an artist membership or become a supporting member of the Alliance, a coalition of individuals and non-profits committed to advancing arts and culture in Newport County. More information may be found at www.newportarts.org.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...