Local Artists Get Creative for Wet Paint Weekend

The bidding was fast and furious as enthusiastic and spirited auctioneer Mike Corcoran whipped the standing room only crowd of art enthusiasts into a frenzy during this year's Wet Paint Weekend live auction at the Newport Art Museum.

"This is a homegrown and quirky event but has such a popular sensibility to it," said John MacGowan, participating artist and Chair of the annual fundraiser. "It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm of the artists and it is a great way to promote new artists and introduce them to the community."

"The Newport Art Museum continues to focus on Rhode Island artists," said Lisa Goddard, Executive Director, as she welcomed the crowd. "This is a unique fundraiser for us and we are so happy to be able to provide such a wonderful opportunity for community art making. It is a lot of fun and it's is all about new art."

More than 300 participants registered for this year's event, which largest numbers on record. Wet Paint played host to many first timers, familiar faces and families painting together.

In it's 25th year, Wet Paint Weekend began on Saturday with hundreds of artists painting from vistas all around Newport and Aquidneck Island, culminating in the live auction Sunday afternoon.

"Most artists are just excited to participate," said Gayle Hargreaves, Director of Marketing for the museum. "But it is nice when their pieces are chosen to go out to the tent for the live auction."

Pieces for the live auction were chosen based on bid activity during the silent auction. Some pieces sold for thousands of dollars.

An oil painting by famed local artist Fred Cushing took this years highest bid, selling for $1,700.

Funds raised by the museum are used to maintain collections and buildings and provides funding for the many educational and outreach programs made available to the community.

For more information on how to get involved, click here.