Unfurling: Small Work by the 2027 Art Cup Artists

In the summer of 2027 the Newport Art Museum will partner with Sail Newport and Shields Fleet 9 to present the 2027 Art Cup, an exhibition of work by contemporary artists printed onto the sails of over a dozen Shields sailboats. The sails will be hoisted for a special, one-off regatta held just offshore of Fort Adams State Park.

This exhibition features small works by seven of the artists whose imagery will appear on the sails. Together, they offer a glimpse into each artist’s practice. For the Art Cup, each artist will create a new work conceived specifically for the sails.

The actual event —part regatta, part moving exhibition—will be a dynamic spectacle of moving images constantly shifting and reconfiguring as the boats vie for position at the start and then move in competitive unison through the course of the race. This unfolding performance will take place off historic Fort Adams, against the backdrop of Newport Harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. 

Exhibiting Artists:
Katherine Bradford
Bob Dilworth
Emil Lukas
Tomokazu Matsuyama
Odili Donald Odita
Kelsy Patnaude
Coral Woodbury

ABOUT SHIELDS SAILBOATS

At 30 feet in length, the classic Shields-class sailboat is named for sailor Cornelius Shields, who commissioned its design from renowned naval architect Olin Stephens. These vintage international one-design keelboats were first introduced in1962 and are actively raced in Newport  as well as in sailing communities across the United States. 

On the water, the sailboats are strikingly beautiful with towering sails and sleek, graceful hulls that seem to glide effortlessly across the surface. Crewed by teams of four to five sailors, they embody both the precision and exhilaration of competitive racing.

ABOUT SAIL NEWPORT

Since its founding in 1983, Sail Newport’s mission has been to provide public access to sailing. This is achieved through three primary channels: offering sailing instruction, providing exceptional race development programs, and hosting world-class local, national and international sailing events and regattas. Every year, more than 10,000 individuals engage with Sail Newport through a broad range of programs designed to welcome, accommodate and educate all ages and abilities.

This Exhibition is organized in collaboration with Sail Newport, special thanks to Brad Read and Eve Formisano. 

EXHIBITION SPONSORS:

The Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Exhibition Society &