NEWPORT – Hosted Aug. 12 by the Newport Art Museum, the 25th annual Wet Paint fundraiser saw $121,780 donated in support of the institution.
Three hundred and eighty artists of varying ages and skill levels created and donated their art to the museum Aug. 11. During that weekend, 455 pieces went up for sale in silent and live auctions.
Silent auctions, beginning Aug. 11 with the Wet Paint Preview Party and continuing the next day, totaled $58,420.
With Robbie Gordy of Christie’s at the auction block Aug. 12, 19 pieces totaling $27,550 were sold, with proceeds going to support the museum. The event raised $8,700 to benefit the museum’s collections care fund with the help of senior curator Francine Weiss.
Monies were raised from sponsorships, party admission, the cash bar and snack sales, as well as additional donations made to the museum.
Marking a quarter-century of Wet Paint fundraisers, the 2018 event honored the event’s co-founder, Dick Grosvenor, and his contributions to the Newport Art Museum. Grosvenor first exhibited at the museum in 1946, then went on to serve as president of the board of trustees from 1980 to 1990.
“It was a true celebration of the arts. The weekend’s events exemplified goodwill and a groundswell of great community support,” said Grosvenor’s son, John Grosvenor, in a statement.
Funds raised during the weekendlong event, which was co-chaired by Rupert Nesbitt, Lani Liuzza and Marie Samuels in addition to a committee of volunteers, will help support Newport Art Museum exhibitions, outreach, acquisitions, education and historic preservation.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
