The Rhode Island Watercolor Society (RIWS) is the oldest and largest watercolor organization in America. Since 1896, they have provided artists and the general public the opportunity to view, purchase, exhibit and learn about watermedia art. They offer classes for any level, demonstrations, workshops and even Saturday “Paint RI!” Paint Outs. One Saturday each month, RISW encourage their members to get together somewhere in Rhode Island for an outside painting group session to build painting experience, network with fellow RIWS members, and develop work for the annual Paint RI exhibition. They also organize educational trips to art exhibitions, which is a perfect way to get the young students out of school for a day. The art gallery, library and studio space is located in a historic lakeside “boathouse” in Slater Memorial Park. They’re open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm and Sundays 1-5pm.

For more information, contact RIWS or click on their website.

If you live North of Providence, RI and are traveling, the RIWS could be a great pit stop toward the Cliffside Inn for the perfect weekend or weeknight getaway. They are now promoting the all new Best of Newport Package for September & October 2009. It includes two nights in a deluxe State Room or Suite with the best rates, plus entry to The Breakers Newport mansion; Newport Harbor cruise and tour aboard The Gansett vintage wooden power boat; entry to Norman Bird Sanctuary; Cliff Walk map and walking guide; and the Destination Deal Book with $500 in savings at other attractions, restaurants, and shops. The Sunday Boston Globe has called the package Newport’s top luxury getaway value. Check room availability here but the Best of Newport Package can only be reserved by phone 401-847-1811.

“September is my favorite month in Newport. The summer crowds have thinned out. The ocean is still warm. Autumn’s chilly days are still a ways off. All the famous attractions, shops and restaurants are open. It’s just delightful,” said Winthrop Baker, Group President, Legendary Inns of Newport. “Our Best of Newport September Getaway is a great way to experience this special time, while enjoying some equally delightful getaway package values.”

For one inclusive price, guests enjoy 2-nights in the best available luxury suite or guest room at the Abigail Stoneman Inn or Adele Turner Inn, plus the Best of Newport RI Getaway Package. Named by Fodor’s and The Boston Globe as Newport’s top 2006 luxury getaway package value, the Best of Newport mini-vacation package includes tickets to the Gilded Age mansions, vineyard tour and wine tasting, and a booklet with $500 in savings at Newport restaurants and shops.

The 2-night September Getaway package at the Adele Turner Inn is $650, available Mondays through Wednesdays in September. The ultra luxury Abigail Stoneman Inn 2-night package is $790, Mondays through Thursdays. Savings up to $200. For more details, click here.

At the Legendary Inns of Newport flagship property, Cliffside Inn, the September Getaway features 30% off the third night of a 3-night reservation, Sundays through Thursdays.

In addition to being the first AAA Four Diamond luxury bed and breakfast inns in Rhode Island, the trio of well known B&Bs is also AAA’s top-rated Rhode Island lodging group. Along with the special rates and package extras, the September Getaways all include the luxury amenities and services the Legendary Inns is known for: warm hospitality and personal service; acclaimed afternoon tea (named one of America’s Top 20); multi-course breakfast; finely appointed suites and guest rooms with whirlpools, steam baths, grand beds, fireplaces, antiques and artwork; pillow menu; signature in-room spa service; and elegant locations near the beach and in-town.

“We’re seeing a lot of two and three-night mini-vacations this summer and less of the three and four or five-night Newport summer vacations we’ve seen in other years,” said Winthrop Baker, Group President, Legendary Inns of Newport. “Our new mini-getaways offer vacation-time-starved guests some very attractive summer getaway values in August.”

The group’s flagship Newport, Rhode Island B&B property and founding member of the Distinctive Inns of New England, Cliffside Inn, is offering 25% off the third-night of a three-night reservation, Sundays through Thursdays. At Adele Turner Inn, guests save 50% off on any Tuesday, when they book Monday and Tuesday together.

The ultra-luxury Abigail Stoneman Inn Mini-Getaway Vacation Package includes two-nights with the best available luxury suite or room, plus the Quintessential Newport Summer Getaway Package, just named by Fodor’s as one of New England’s top three summer getaway package values. It includes tickets to Newport RI’s Gilded Age mansions, vineyard tours and wine tastings, and the Destination Newport coupon book worth $500 at various Newport, RI restaurants and shops. The getaway is available Mondays – Wednesdays for the all inclusive price of $700.

In addition to being the first AAA Four Diamond luxury bed and breakfast inns in Rhode Island, the trio of well known B&Bs is also AAA’s top-rated Rhode Island lodging group. In addition to the special rates and package add-ons, the Mini-Getaway Vacations all include the luxury amenities and services the Legendary Inns is known for: warm hospitality and personal service; acclaimed afternoon tea (named one of America’s Top 20); multi-course breakfast; finely appointed suites and guest rooms with whirlpools, steam baths, grand beds, fireplaces, antiques and artwork; pillow menu; signature in-room spa service; and elegant locations near the beach and in-town.

For complete details and other restrictions on the August Mini-Getaway Vacations, please visit our specials webpage or call 800-845-1811. The Mini-Getaways can only be booked by phone, but you can check availability or reserve other dates online for all Legendary Inns by clicking here.

The Quintessential Newport Summer Getaway Package features 2-nights lodging, tickets for the legendary Gilded Age mansions (or other leading attractions), tickets for vineyard tours and tastings, and Destination Newport coupon book with savings up to $500 at Newport RI restaurants and shops. In addition to the Getaway Package, guests enjoy all the luxurious appointments that led to Cliffside being named AAA’s first Rhode Island Four Diamond luxury B&B Inn, including one of the finest afternoon teas served in America, Newport’s most-written about guest quarters (with 16 individually designed and decorated rooms and bathing salons), in-room spa services, refined elegance and warm hospitality. Getaway Package from $260 a night. Details . . .

The VIP Tennis Play & Stay Package pairs the Cliffside Inn with the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the birthplace of tennis in America, and home to the 13 finest grass courts in the country. The best players in the world compete here and now guests can too. The Play&Stay Package is offered exclusively by Cliffside Inn and the Tennis Hall of Fame, and features an hour and a half of grass court time, a can of balls, plus complimentary racquets and admission to the Hall of Fame museum, which is for tennis, what Cooperstown is for baseball. A true Newport original. Details . . .

Reservations at Cliffside Inn can be booked online by clicking here or by phone 800-845-1811. Come discover the magic that has made Cliffside Inn one of America’s favorite luxury B&B Inns. In addition to being a founding member of DINE, Cliffside Inn is the flagship property of the Legendary Inns of Newport, AAA’s top-rated Rhode Island luxury property group. The trio of historically significant, finely appointed Victorian B&Bs includes Cliffside Inn, Abigail Stoneman Inn and Adele Turner Inn.