The Court: Art in Play

The Court: Art in Play traces the rich cultural history of court tennis through the lens of contemporary art. Organized by internationally recognized artist and accomplished court tennis player Frederika Adam, the exhibition brings together works by Elizabeth Curren, Charles Johnstone, Joshua Mosley, Bill Sullivan, Robert Manice, and Adam herself—artists whose practices are deeply attuned to the visual and symbolic language of the game.

Installed throughout the Museum’s historic galleries, The Court: Art in Play collapses the boundaries between art, sport, and history, situating the exhibition within Newport’s own legacy as home to one of only eleven active court tennis courts in the United States, located at the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHoF).

From the refined geometry of “Real Tennis” (also known as “Court Tennis”) and the open-air elegance of “Lawn Tennis,” to the regional traditions of Basque pelota and even imagined courts, the artists probe the enduring allure of these spaces—both architectural and psychological. Through photography, mixed media, and film, they translate the rhythm, atmosphere, and layered symbolism of the court into works that are as physical and spatial as they are visual and poetic.

Later this Fall, an adjacent exhibition will expand upon the Art in Play theme by spotlighting racquet sports and other beloved Newport pastimes—including tennis, baseball, and more—through works from the Museum’s permanent collection.

Join us for a special preview party at the Newport Art Museum

THE COURT: Art in Play
Preview Reception | Wednesday, September 24 | 5–7 PM