Art, country fair and history headline things to do in Newport County this weekend

The Newport Folk Festival is over and the Jazz Festival is moving in creating another busy weekend in the City by the Sea.

If the Jazz Festival isn't for you don't worry there's plenty to do in Newport County without going near Fort Adams.

Art lovers will especially find themselves busy, but there is also family fun to be had and the chance to tour a piece of Aquidneck Island history.

Check out what's happening and start making your plans.

Jamestown Artists’ Open Studios

Artists’ Open Studios returns to Jamestown on Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Hosted by the Jamestown Arts Center, the annual Artists’ Open Studios is a one-day, island-wide event where participating artists invite the public into their studios.

There are over 30 participating artists across the island this year as well as groups of artists with pop-up displays at Out of the Box Studio & Gallery, 11 Clinton Ave., and at the JAC, 18 Valley St.

Printed maps will be available at the JAC and a digital map is available on the JAC's website: jamestownartcenter.org/events/open-studios, providing full details on participating artists, their studio locations, hours, and turn-by-turn directions. The event is free and open to all. No reservations are required.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled to Sunday, August 4, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Tour the Isaac Bell House

Lauded for its elegance and innovative design, Isaac Bell House is one of the best surviving examples of Shingle Style architecture in the country.

Following the completion of a restoration of the property guide-led tours will now allow visitors to experience this National Historic Landmark on Saturdays and Sundays through Aug. 31 with the purchase of a special, timed ticket.

The house was built between 1881 and 1883 by the firm of McKim, Mead and White for Isaac Bell Jr., a cotton broker, investor and ambassador to the Netherlands. It was a distinctive addition to Newport’s architectural landscape, blending English Queen Anne with New England Colonial, Japanese and French/Breton design influences with features like sliding doors and a pinwheel floor plan, and a focus on natural light and ventilation. It would have a significant impact on the later domestic work of Frank Lloyd Wright.

In November of 2023, The Preservation Society of Newport County began a $3.3 million restoration and preservation of Isaac Bell House that included replacing all exterior shingles, restoring the shutters and windows, repointing the lower-level brick and chimneys and much more.

Visit newportmansions.org/mansions-and-gardens/isaac-bell-house for more information and a ticket link.

DeBlois Gallery celebrates 40 years

In recognition of DeBlois Gallery's 40th year of providing art exhibits to the community of Newport County and beyond, the gallery's non-profit cooperative of 20 artists will share a variety of new work, including 2D prints, oil, acrylic, and collage as well as 3D sculpture in ceramics, cast paper, and assemblage, with an opening reception on – Saturday from 5-7 p.m.

The show will continue through Sept. 1 at DeBlois Gallery, 134 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown. For more information visit debloisgallery.com

Eastern RI 4H Fair

The 54th annual Eastern RI 4H Fair returns to Glen Park in Portsmouth on Saturday from 9 to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The family-friendly event features animal displays and shows, free kids' games, a variety of vendors, a waterslide, bounce house, dunk tank, petting zoo and more.

For more information, visit web.uri.edu/4h/programs/fair-guides-and-rules/eastern-rhode-island-4-h-country-fair

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Art, country fair and history headline things to do in Newport County this weekend