The Minnie and Jimmy Coleman Center for Creative Studies is a vibrant hub for artmaking and creative learning at the Newport Art Museum. Located in the Gilbert S. Kahn Building, the Center offers classes, workshops, and programs for children, teens, and adults, including ceramics, painting, drawing, figure drawing, printmaking, and more.

Whether discovering a new medium, developing an artistic practice, or simply making something by hand, the Coleman Center offers a welcoming space to learn, experiment, and connect through art.

To learn more about classes and programs at the Coleman Center, please contact Director of Museum Education, Mary Kate Hickey, at mhickey@newportartmuseum.org.

Art education has been a cornerstone of the Newport Art Museum since its founding as the Art Association of Newport in 1912. Helena Sturtevant, an artist, educator, and early leader of the Art Association’s art school, helped establish a culture of learning that welcomed students from across the community.

After studying at the Boston Museum School and continuing her training in Paris, Sturtevant returned to Newport and served as director of the Art Association’s art school from 1913 into the 1940s. She envisioned the school as a place where people of all backgrounds could learn and create, welcoming children, aspiring artists, beginners, and members of the Army and Navy.

Sturtevant believed deeply in the power of art education, reflecting that her years of teaching had “never [been] wasted” because “Teaching them to draw teaches them to see.” More than a century later, that philosophy continues to shape the Museum’s approach to education, from youth programs and summer camps to ceramics, printmaking, figure drawing, painting, and workshops for adults. At the Coleman Center, that legacy lives on through opportunities for people of all ages to learn, experiment, and discover through making.

Support the Legacy: The Helena Sturtevant Society carries this legacy forward by supporting the Newport Art Museum’s education initiatives and expanding access to creative learning for children, teens, and adults. Become a member of the Helena Sturtevant Society and help ensure that the transformative power of art education remains accessible to our community for generations to come. For more information about the Helena Sturtevant Society, please contact Director of Advancement, Emily Manocchio at emanocchio@newportartmuseum.org.