The Museum is open Wednesday - Saturday 11 - 4, Sunday 12 - 4.
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Founded in 1912, the Newport Art Museum is one of the oldest continuously operating and most highly regarded art museums and schools of its kind in the country.
The Newport Art Museum’s collection consists of approximately 3,000 works of art in a range of media including works on paper (prints, drawings, watercolors, and photographs), paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, installation works, and textiles and is expanding to include new media. Concentrated on American art and contemporary art, the Museum’s collection includes works of art from the 18th century to present.
As a valued Newport Art Museum member you're entitled to free admission, are invited to members' only events and exhibition tours, receive discounts on Museum School class tuition and public program tickets, and will be supporting the Museum's mission to share a diversity of art and experiences to our Newport community and beyond.
By supporting the Newport Art Museum Annual Fund at any level, you help make a positive difference in the lives of many. Our exhibitions, public programs, education, and community outreach, which includes a diversity of artistic voices, would not be possible without you. Help the Newport Art Museum continue to spark reflection, inspiration, discovery and build lasting connections by making your tax-deductible contribution today. We thank you for believing in the transformative power of art and allowing us to make art accessible to all for generations to come. Help the Newport Art Museum continue to spark reflection, inspiration, discovery, and build connections by making your tax-deductible contribution TODAY!
Are you a business owner who is looking for new ways to engage and connect with local Newport customers on a year round basis? We have the perfect opportunity. Sponsor a Newport tradition - The Newport Art Museum - Make NAM part of your marketing plan in 2025. We have an array of events and exhibits to offer you. Our first exciting event is the 2025 Winter Speaker Series in its 97th Year.
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Bird Song, 2021, Ceramic sculpture, Courtesy of the Artist.
Visit Jillian Barber’s website
Instagram: @sanfaeryann
Facebook: Jillian Barber Studio
I am Bird Song.
So named by Jillian Barber, the woman who sculpted my image in clay. A seed, a thought, a vision took flight and flew from her head and hands standing at her worktable in Jamestown where many fantastic creatures are born. I am a Nature Spirit.
My face is embellished with sculpted beaks and feathers, brightly glazed. My face is a tapestry of avian images like tattoos carefully carved and pressed into my soft clay flesh–intricate, delicate patterns of vintage lace made by skilled and patient women long ago.
Across my cheeks swim lacey swans reminiscent of those birds who summer on Rhode Island rivers. Jillian would collect their white feathers along the river’s edge. She has always been fascinated by birds and animals and nature.
She has made costumes with multicolored velvet wings for dancers with masks to match. Jillian breathes life into all her creations.
And so–we meet! You are looking at my ornate but strong, mysterious countenance. You see my gaze is focused, benign, yet curious. You may wonder what my song would be if I sang.
On a spring morning, early, you will hear my song. Beyond your window, in the trees and sky, you will hear a song of celebration–trills and tweets, caws and cacophony, warbles, coos, and hoots. Listen and look up.
My clay eyes see without and within. My clay ears hear without and within. In the stillness of this gallery, I hear the hum of your voices. In the stillness of my being, I hear the flourishing of feathers and the symphony of life.
I am from the realm of imagination and now here I am– created, hanging on this wall in this beautiful space. Thank you for seeing me! Thank you for hearing my inner voice!
We thank you, Bird Song and Jillian Barber