Prompt + Ponder + Play: All Ages Creative Drop-In w/ artist Ashley Norman
Date and Time
Saturday May 9, 2026
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT
5/9/26 1 - 3pm
Location
3S Artspace 319 Vaughan Street Portsmouth, NH 03801
Fees/Admission
Children under 2: Free $10 per person / $25 family cap *Additional donations welcome
Description
Come make, explore, and follow your curiosity. Prompt + Ponder + Play is a relaxed, open-house style creative experience for all ages. Stay for 30 minutes or the full two hours. Drift in and out, move between tables, start something, leave it, come back to it, or begin again. Inspired by the exhibition Of All the Worlds We Could Have Dreamed by Sam Modder, this space invites you into a world of drawing, pattern, and quiet storytelling. A place to experiment, to play, and to see what happens when you let go of needing a plan. In the words of Corita Kent, “Nothing is a mistake. There’s no win and no fail, there’s only make.”
Come as you are and just begin. What to Expect A series of prompt-based art stations using pen, ink, and mixed media Simple invitations to draw, repeat, imagine, and explore Opportunities for both individual and collaborative making A low-pressure, welcoming space for all ages and experience levels Music to set the tone and carry the afternoon Who It’s For Designed for parents and children, from babies through pre-teens, and anyone who feels like they could use a little more play in their day. What to Bring Nothing required. All materials will be provided.
Just bring yourself as you are. Environment Come as you are. Stay as long as you like. Post-nap, pre-dinner, and just the right moment for an afternoon reset. A full bar will be available for adults, along with light snacks for children. A dedicated nursing area will also be available.
About Ashley Norman:
Ashley Norman is an artist, educator, and community builder working under the pseudonym Ashley Normal. Her work explores connection, beauty hidden in the bizarre, and perfectly imperfect moments of everyday life through drawing, collage, and interdisciplinary practices. With over 18 years of experience across public, community, and higher education, she creates supportive environments where students can experiment, take risks, and build confidence. Her teaching centers on play, curiosity, and the belief that creativity grows through practice and the power of yet.
Printed courtesy of www.portsmouthchamber.org/ – Contact the The Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth for more information.
500 Market St., Portsmouth, NH 03801 – (603) 610-5510 – membership@portsmouthcollaborative.org