I usually read reviews before I go places but this time I didn't. I did however read the reviews after I left the location, and everything that was said was spot on. I assumed what could possibly go wrong with a gallery or anything art related? Art is beauty, positive....all good things :). The gallery was clean and bright. Great location right off the main road. The pieces displayed were beautiful. Prices were on the high side, so not affordable for the everyday person. The service on the other hand was a bit questionable. When we walked in, not sure if we were greeted but we were asked if we needed/or looking for something and then the entrance/exit we came from was closed almost immediately by the gallery person. We were also told that we can't take pictures and not in the nicest manner. There was a sign on the wall toward the bottom that no pictures were allowed. Then we were followed a little randomly and awkwardly. The whole experience was weird because of the individual working there. I give it 2 stars because I love art and the art was beautiful and the place was clean. read more

I just visited the gallery.. they have a nice variety of artists and the staff is very welcoming and knowledgeable.

The Quick: I would not recommend this shop. There are so many local art shops in town that inspire and spark joy, unfortunately this is not one of them. The location is fantastic, which clearly dictates the curator's cruel attitude, knowing there will always be a revolving door of tourists. The Details: While I could go on and on about the horrific customer experience I had, I'd prefer to add a different anectdote. The shop carries one of my favorite RI artists and charges substantially more for his work than any other store in RI. Worth noting, the artist does not see this profit, and he sells his work personally elsewhere in town. read more

We stopped in and enjoyed viewing the numerous blown glass sculptures and various paintings. read more

See all

I recently visited this gallery and was impressed by their selection. The staff was friendly and very patient in answering my questions about both the paintings and their artists. read more

Decent fine art gallery in a high end area, where rent (and prices) are high. Good variety of art, obviously harping on their martime region, but seens like a food place to buy nautical art. Great location, lots of space, and a nice clean gallery. Kinda weird they have the "no photographs" signs when in fact anyone can go on line and download a picture if they were so inclined. read more

Anytime I have purchased art in a gallery I always enjoyed the shopping experience. I was completely horrified by the blonde sales - women working in the gallery. She was pushy , had an attitude. Followed us around. Was not giving us a chance to admire the art. I saw a piece i liked when I received a phone call from a delivery I was expecting. He was lost. I was giving him directions on less than a 2 minute call when she told my daughter I was being rude. She asked us to leave. I was shocked. I thought my daughter was joking. My daughter was I would never do business with a gallery that would be so rude and judgment read more

We often visit Newport, RI and always enjoy its history and beauty. We also make our way around the various shops and galleries. Sheldon Fine Art has consistently shown great work, however, the one problem is their staff has always been nasty, rude and entitled. My mother is in the design field, and has had times when she could have placed a piece from this gallery in homes she was working on, but chose not to. Our joke used to be 'you have to be nasty to work there', but that all changed when we decided to step in again and take our chances. To our pleasant surprise, we were greeted by a lovely, affable woman with a smile. Now, not only could we enjoy the artwork, but for the very first time, the atmosphere as well. To give credit where it's due, this positive change came in the form of Laura Petican, the gallery's new director. What a delight, and we even ended up making a purchase. Thank you to the powers that be for finally making a change of guard! read more

NEW GALLERY REP (also named Laura) who is wonderful -- kind, professIona, and on the ball. Location is prime and so is the artwork!!!

Good day for gallery browsing and brunch. One of my favorite galleries to visit when in town.

I don't recommend this gallery. Difficult to work with, crotchety and unfriendly. Inhospitable environment - for customers and the artists.

Overall, delightful for a browse. A mixed bag of stodgy, conservative oil paintings of boats and beaches and some more modern, energetic, creative works. And a range of affordable $20 glass sculptures and paintings $8k plus. 2 floors of treasures to browse. Cluttered. Gallery meets packed consignment shop, with paintings and prints packing every corner of the walls and layered one behind the others on the floors. One item in particular caught my eye - a glass art where the internal sculpture looks like a jellyfish. Just gorgeous. If I was into $50 paperweights, I would have bought 100 of them. But I didn't go into the gallery to buy anything. I went in to be inspired by the artwork and maybe learn a thing or two about some local artists and RI's lesser-traveled natural landscapes. Stop in for a browse! read more

Sheldon Fine Art - jellyfish treasure! - Art Galleries Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

The art was beautiful, however, there was an extremely rude worker who followed us around, made assumptions about our presence and then proceeded to ask us to leave. read more

The blonde woman with glasses was not friendly or welcoming followed us around and kept asking if we were going to buy a painting. Even if I wanted to I definitely won't with her as the sales clerk. She also proceeded to tell us how good business has been during the pandemic which I found to be a very distasteful and insensitive thing to share. read more

Awful customer service. I touched a small glass piece on the display table and a very shrewd woman shreaked "DO NOT TOUCH THAT - THERE IS A SIGN THAT SAYS NOT TO TOUCH IT RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU" I had not seen the small and sideways sign, explained as much and asked her if all the attitude was necessary. She could have politely asked me not to touch which I would have understood and respected. I'll just go to another gallery next time I'm in Newport. If you wanted to be treated with respect, shop elsewhere. read more

Absolute worst art Gallerie purchased damaged vase refusing the refund the money biggest rip off filed fraud complaint with American Express because owner refuses to return money vase and flowers damaged we refused order they pretend it's not broken we have Pictures . Trying to steal our money absolutely joke this place spend thousands of dollars and worst customer service owner ride and insulting stay away from this place absolutely a rip off no value to the product tourist trap happy to provide Pictures and copies of broken items and poor quality of product stay far away from this place they should be shut down read more

See all

I was absolutely stunned by the treatment I received from the blonde woman working in this gallery. I am a fine artist, I've worked in galleries and sold my own work as well as the work of others, and had exhibitions, so I've been on both sides of the business. My husband and I were first timers to Newport, and I was looking for a restroom in addition to wanting to see the art. Having worked in galleries, I knew it was not a guarantee but a possibility that there was a public restroom, so I simply Asked. She proceeded to laugh and scoff at me, saying "in an art gallery? No." And proceeded to follow me to ask if I planned to buy anything. I've worked for some pretty bad eggs in the art community, but Never in my life have I interacted with someone who was so disinterested talking to you about the art UNLESS she thinks you're going to give her money. Before she talks to you at all, she asks you *several times* if you're planning on buying anything. Mind you, this gallery is on the end of a historic wharf, and likely sees many people pop in and out to view the work because it's not the reason people visit. My husband and I were interested in taking in the art, as it's described as a GALLERY, and she followed us and interrupted our viewing a few times by asking us if we planned on buying anything. I had considered purchasing prints, but was undecided so I politely told her no each time. Following this, she engaged with a couple about an impressionistic painting from an artist in Maine. They were able to afford the several thousand dollar painting, so she told them details about the painting and artist. After they left, I hoped to engage with her about the painting because I'm an impressionistic painter. I simply asked "is this the painting you were discussing with that couple?" Instead, she dismissed me. She told me "yes, that was a conversation between me and a business client," and proceeded to turn her back on us and ignore us. We were basically told "because you're not giving me money, you do not deserve my time". She was rude, short, and dismissive. If you are an artist considering selling out of this gallery, I highly advise you to consider any of the other galleries in Newport that will treat onlookers with respect and represent your art well. You get to choose who makes commission off of the sale of your paintings, and this woman is not worth it. I loved the painting I wanted to engage with her about, and would have looked up the Painter privately had she even bothered to tell me his name (all I know is that he's out of Maine after overhearing the conversation). If you're considering buying, be advised that she's only giving you her time and conversation because she's schmoozing you because she wants your money. If you want to pop in this gallery and aren't planning on dropping 10,000 dollars on a painting that could be shipped to you damaged, with the artist only getting partial proceeds, Keep walking. read more

My wife and I are both really into art so we stop in to see what is new. They have a lot of classic sailing paintings of different ships during the America's Cup and other scenes that are really impressive. I usually look for the sailing pieces anywhere we go and these are the best in the area. I only have a couple small pieces but I always come in to look. The girls who work there are all very nice as well. read more

Sheldon Fine Art has a great range of work and mediums present in its collection. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly helping you bring some character into your home. read more

I have been represented by Sheldon Fine Art for many years and in my 50 years as a professional artist I have never found a group of people that are more honest, helpful or understanding than the staff at Sheldon Fine Art. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and can be counted on for their expertise by first time and seasoned collectors of fine art. It is extremely rare in the art world to find a fine art gallery that is as knowledgeable, straightforward, honest and helpful as Sheldon Fine Art. In general, professional artists have a very poor view of gallery representation and the reason is that many fine art galleries are not as supportive of their artists as they should be. Sheldon Fine Art is an exception to this opinion. The gallery has the broadest array of fine art that I have seen and the vetting process for an artist to be represented by this gallery is extreme. They insist that their stable of artists reflect the finest quality artists available in each genre. read more

Always a delight to stop in and see the artwork, as always beautiful and inspiring. I love this gallery because it carries so many ocean landscapes and boating pictures that capture the water in such detail. A must to see if you come to Newport. read more

We bought 3 Edward Gordon prints over a four year period in the 90's. We were told that these were going to be very valuable one day. We paid between 200 and 350 dollars for these prints. Out of curiosity I just Googled the prints we bought, June, August and Winter and I can buy them unframed for 65.00 and framed for 165.00. My advice, take what the sales people there say with a grain of salt. read more