FS Connects Presents: Crafting Colonial Newport

The visual language of Newport, Rhode Island that emerged during its colo­nial era has made the city’s maritime legacy insep­a­ra­ble from its fine and deco­ra­tive arts. Master crafts­men came to define Newport on a global scale with signa­ture block-and-shell motifs, an exten­sive use of rich mahogany, and the notable under­cut ball-and-claw design. However, what is still under-recog­nized within Newport’s highly appre­ci­ated history of craft is its depen­dence on exploited labor and deep connec­tion to the transat­lantic slave trade. The lives and labor of African, African Amer­i­can, and Indige­nous men, women, and chil­dren are crucial to fully under­stand­ing the creation and success of Newport deco­ra­tive arts. Through a close-looking of several coveted Newport objects and archi­tec­tural accom­plish­ments, we will explore how contem­po­rary approaches to colo­nial histo­ries can provide robust and reinvigorated truths.

Mya will talk about a number of objects from the Preser­va­tion Society Newport Coun­ty’s collec­tion, most of which are housed in Hunter House or are currently on display in the exhi­bi­tion Revo­lu­tion Reimag­ined in Rose­cliff Mansion. She will address a handful of items owned by Newport Histor­i­cal Society and their Wanton-Lymon-Hazard House prop­erty which has just opened as the Newport Center for Black History.

Learn more about The Preser­va­tion Society of Newport County:
Website
IG: @newport.mansions

This event has passed. Please join us for the next sessions in our Preser­va­tion Society Summer Series:

August 12: Wood and Water: Furni­ture on Long Island, 1660 – 1860 with Lauren Brincat and Steven Baltsas
Septem­ber 10: The Founders and Their Furni­ture: An in-depth Look at the Mate­r­ial Culture of the Early Repub­lic with Grant Quertermous