Jane Pickens, A Life of Music and Art
November 5, 2026 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Griswold House
Join us for an evening celebrating the remarkable life and artistry of Jane Pickens!
Jane Pickens was an American singer, actress, vocal arranger, and painter whose creative life encompassed both the performing and visual arts. She rose to prominence with the Pickens Sisters in the 1930s, later performing on Broadway, radio, and television while also developing a painting practice that included floral still lifes and gallery exhibitions. A longtime Newport resident and philanthropist, she became the namesake of the Jane Pickens Theater in 1974.
This program features live performances of music she composed, along with a talk tracing her journey from her childhood in Macon, Georgia to her years as a beloved Newport philanthropist.
Following the presentation, guests are invited to a reception showcasing selections of her visual artwork.
This event is held in collaboration with Historic Music of Newport.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Mark A. Stickney is the founder of Historic Music of Newport, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the diverse musical heritage of Newport, Rhode Island. He also serves as the Artistic Director of the Seacoast Wind Ensemble in Kittery, Maine, a position he has held since 2016. In 2023, Dr. Stickney helped establish the Gilded Age Orchestra of Newport and is one of the ensemble’s principal conductors.
Throughout his 20‑year college teaching career, he held conducting, brass, and music education positions at Plymouth State University, Southern Utah University, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Salve Regina University, and the Community College of Rhode Island. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Stickney has guest conducted ensembles and orchestra across the United States, bringing his expertise to musicians in a wide range of communities and educational settings. He received his BA in Music and Religion from Gettysburg College, his MA in Tuba Performance from Montclair State University, and his DMA in Wind Conducting from Rutgers University.
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