Newport RI provided some interesting views on this 3-day trip. From photography to vintage cars, Bellevue Ave delivered a nice mix of art and some shopping, all within walking distance.

Redwood Library & Athenæum

Slim Aarons: Newport Days: As a fan of Slim Aarons work, who is most known for his photos of the leisurely well-off in Palm Springs, I was delighted to see this exhibit. It depicted his ease with hanging with the well-to-do, and captures intimate moments in wonderful color. The exhibit teamed up with Getty Images and Newport Curates and shows scenes from Newport, as well as skiing scenes, and many personal artifacts of the artist. It was interesting to see original proposed layouts for a book, and the actual printed version. Photo at the top of this post: Slim Aarons hits the slopes in Stowe, Vermont, capturing the waiters bringing on the feast.

It was nice to peruse the book, to see the scope of his work. Right, a magazine spread and his personal address book.

Redwood Library & Athenæum, 50 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI, entrance on the left side (when facing the front)

Newport Art Museum

The Newport Art Museum truly had a wonderful assortment of art on view, ranging from incredible glass work to multi-faceted photography. Right near the front entrance was Toots Zynsky gorgeous glass vessels in breathtaking colorful tones. The glass almost looks woven. due to her distinctive “filet-de-verre” technique, where thousands of glass threads are fused together to form the amorphic shapes.

Having just come from the Slim Aarons exhibit, it was interesting to see a kind of “update” on the theme of shooting the rich. Nick Mele, whose family happens to be well off, captures them and their joie de vivre and sense of play The Pages & Play exhibit also includes lampshades at various heights, which viewers are encouraged to interact with. I just adored his layering of patterns, and wonderful sense of humor.

The Renee Cox: Revolution/Revelation exhibit takes up two floors of the museum, and is quite engaging on many levels. She began her career as a fashion editor and photographer in New York and Paris. In 1980, Cox turned the camera on herself in various guises.

Some of her work included nudes, cut-out and set into a kaleidescope-like patterns. A video was projected onto the wall of the stairway, creating a mesmerizing show.

The museum also displayed art from the Gilded Age. Howard Gardiner Cushing was a local Newport artist, who grew up summering in The Ledges, one of Newport’s famous mansions of that time. Due to his family’s business in trading with China and the east, his travels to Japan inspired his art, and he often included his red-headed wife in his pieces.

The Newport Art Museum, 76 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI

Shopping: Alloy

Further down Bellevue Avenue, we came across a nice set of shops, Alloy Gallery being among them. (I would recommend avoiding Thames Street for shopping, as iti is very touristy.) Alloy Gallery features the work of ten artists, who have a knack for creating unique contemporary jewelry. Each artist has his or her own style, so it’s fun to look through. Some pieces are one of a kind and some are small series or production. I fell in love with these stacking rings, enamel on sterling silver by Barbara Seidenath and did come home with five in blue green tones.

Alloy Gallery, 125 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI

Audrain Automobile Museum

The Audrain Automobile Museum has access to over 400 cars and motorcycles and presents four unique exhibitions each year. We made a pitstop here on our way to the mansions, and truly appreciated the quality and condition of the vehicles. A turquoise 1940 Chevy Custom Topless Roadster absolutely shone, and was the item that caught our attention as we walked by the museum.

This orange wonder is a 1959 Fiat Jolly, which were custom made for their owners, and also served as taxis on the island of Catalina in California. Famous owners include Ari Onassis and President Lyndon Johnson. A Triumph 4A, in pristine condition.

Audrain Automobile Museum, 222 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840

See more of the 3-day trip in these posts: Scene and Seen and Dining Around Newport, RI.