Local love

I’ve fallen in love with Rhode Island. I got married in Bristol and have been spending summers sailing Narragansett Bay, picnicking at Newport Polo matches, building sand castles at 2nd and 3rd beach, and sipping Del’s Lemonade wherever possible. Simply, Rhode Island is magic. And the undisputed gateway to the splendor is Newport, the City by the Sea.

But it is Rhode Islanders themselves who inspire me. I feel really lucky to work with such a creative, scrappy, and genuinely good group of people. They have made the creation of The Wayfinder Hotel fun, engaging, and ultimately very satisfying. I’m excited to share all of our hard work with Newport and our visitors from all over the world.

- Phil Hospod

Newporter, born and raised ... escaped ... travelled ... then found myself missing this sweet city by the sea. This is my hometown, where I am most comfortable, where generations of my family live, where everyone seems to know your name. We tend to take the beauty for granted, but a quiet stroll down the cliff walk or a cruise along the ocean drive at dusk are lovely reminders.

Our creative community has come together here at The Wayfinder—all good, humble people and I couldn't be more stoked to be part of this talented team of collaborators!

- Anna Burnley

I like to think that Newport offers two lifestyles; one on land, and one on water. I grew up on the water, which gave me a perspective that I will forever be thankful for and inspired by.

Very early on I wanted to focus on the local lens as a source of inspiration. We derived the color palette from the colors that are most prevalent here in the off-season, as a nod to this coveted down time for those that live here year-round. There’s a magic to this place that I wanted to highlight, which meant showcasing what is here naturally.

- Jenn Shore

I really value the variety of surroundings that can be experienced in Newport. From my doorstep I can enter the bustle of Broadway, wander through narrow back roads and end up at a quiet (or raging) body of water all in under 30 minutes. I observe so much on foot that I might not have noticed in a car or even on a bike. These observations feel like little treasures, and the mental shift they allot for me are everything. I have come up with some of my favorite concepts during these walks.

- Catherine Druken

Both the rich history and abundant natural beauty of Newport inspired my works for the Wayfinder. As antiquing and collecting paper ephemera have always been at the heart of my creative practice, I began by thrifting old postcards of Newport for this collaboration. I then embellished the cards with lush paper florals as a way to both honor and give new life to the old stories of this beautiful corner of Rhode Island.

My inspiration in the body of work I created for the Wayfinder grew from their baseline vision of being relaxed, happy and carefree. I imagined what a day in sunny Newport would look and feel like - salty breezes, ice cream, and losing sense of time at the beach. All of the perks that come with having the chance to unwind in this gem of a town.

Rhode Island's coastal ambiance and a shared passion for the sea helped ignite the vision behind Shore Soap Co. We channeled our inspiration into quality products that embody both nature and simplicity. Everything, from the artwork and fragrance names to the ingredients we use, is influenced by the sea.

I was born in Newport and raised here on Aquidneck Island. It is one of the most beautifully charming places I have ever been to. After living out west for six years I realized I need two things in life: changing seasons and the ocean. So here we are in the city by the sea. There's just something about those hopeful springs, breezy summers, colorful falls, and serene winters. Not to mention the local community here is unlike any other- I am so grateful that my business and I get to be a part of it all.

As a Rhode Island native, western transplant and American traveler, I’ve crossed the country more than two dozen times documenting my journey in paintings, drawings, photographs and song. These "interpretations" serve as self-proclaimed personal inspiration to "keep moving" and as conceptual documents of the many places a person might dream of calling home.

- Sean Spellman

Born and raised in Rhode Island, I grew up around art, thanks largely to my grandfather who was a gallery owner. My work for the Wayfinder focuses on water as a deeply substantial part of our collective histories and modern existence.

- Mea Duke

Growing up in Newport, I worked in the restaurant industry throughout high school and college. After spending a winter in Aspen working for restauranteur Jimmy Yeager, my passion for the business intensified. Now, returning home to Newport, I’m happy to lead the team at Nomi Park while creating inventive beverage options with a focus on sustainability.

- Corey Hayes

My deep love of food has always been intertwined with my love for Rhode Island. After working for a Swiss chef throughout high school, going to Johnson & Wales University seemed like a logical next step. After working for various Newport restaurants, I traveled the world to learn as much about food and culture as possible before returning home to Newport to take my place at Nomi Park.

- Matthew Brown