Tonight, Broadway will glow a little brighter.
Local artist and photographer Patrick Murphy is hosting his first solo exhibition in five years at House of Waves (154 Broadway), the creative studio and gallery he opened as a love letter to the community that raised him. The show runs from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. It coincides with Patrick’s 32nd birthday, a fitting moment of reflection and rebirth for an artist whose work is rooted in memory, movement, and the visual poetry of everyday life here in Newport.
Patrick’s medium is photography, but what he captures goes far beyond the frame. His work is a window into the emotional undercurrent of a moment, which is sometimes gritty, sometimes softer, but always honest. He shoots with soul, and this latest series promises an unfiltered look at his world through his eyes. Many of the pieces on display tonight blend Patrick’s original photography with his own writing and poetry, offering a deeply personal reflection on his life growing up as a fourth-generation Newporter.
“This show is important to me,” Patrick wrote in a recent post. “To feed myself, my fire, my passion. If my heart is on display, let me do it my way.”
You feel that when you walk into the House of Waves. It’s not just a gallery, it’s a very curated and personal space. Built with intention and resilience, it reflects Patrick’s journey as an artist and a neighbor (growing up off Broadway and attending the Cranston Calvert school as a youth). After stepping away from retail three years ago at the Kings Lens and Friends down on Carroll Avenue, he wasn’t sure he’d open a shop again. But when the right space came along, he did what he always does: turned to the community first.
That’s how this new space came to life, through conversations, encouragement, and a desire to fill a creative void on Broadway. For those of us who know Patrick personally, this show feels like a full-circle moment. Pat and I were roommates just off Broadway many moons ago, sharing late-night talks and early-morning grinds. Anytime he needed something, I tried to be there, and he’s always done the same for me.
So tonight, if you’re in Newport, do yourself a favor and stop by. Support a local artist who puts his whole heart into everything he does. Celebrate a birthday, buy a print, soak in some soul-stirring work, and remember why local art matters.
Look for the red door tonight. Pat’s fire is still burning.
