Prompt + Ponder + Play: All Ages Creative Drop-In w/ artist Ashley Norman

Registration Open!

Prompt + Ponder + Play: All Ages Creative Drop-in
w/ Artist Ashley Norman
Saturday, May 9
1 - 3pm
Children under 2: Free
$10 per person / $25 family cap
*Additional donations welcome

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. 

Added Fun: Author, Joni McNeal will be in attendence with her new children's book, "ABCs by the Sea"!

“ABCs by the Sea”

“ABCs by the Sea” is a charming, coastal-inspired alphabet book that brings the spirit of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to life for young readers and their families. Each letter highlights a beloved local landmark, tradition, or seaside moment, from bustling Market Square to quiet harbor views. Both a keepsake for locals and a meaningful souvenir for visitors, the book invites readers to explore, discover, and celebrate the magic of the Seacoast, one letter at a time.

About the author

Joni L. McNeal is a freelance copy editor based in Portsmouth with a passion for storytelling that connects people to place. After two decades of working with words professionally, she turned her focus to children’s literature, inspired by her own community and the everyday moments that make it special. “ABCs by the Sea” is her debut book, created to celebrate the Seacoast area she calls home. A mom of two, she is also the organizer of the Kahoots Collective, a networking group for creative freelancers, and enjoys building connections both on and off the page.

About the illustrator

Alex Edgerly is an illustrator based in Newmarket whose work captures the warmth, character, and hidden details of coastal New England. With a keen eye for local charm, she brings each page of “ABCs by the Sea” to life through vibrant, thoughtfully crafted scenes that resonate with those who know and love the area. Her collaborative approach and intuitive understanding of place helped shape the book’s visual storytelling, adding layers of meaning and discovery for readers of all ages.

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3S Artspace is supported in part by grants from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and NHCF's Geoffrey E. Clark and Martha Fuller Clark Fund; and Little Bay Fund.

Thank you to our lead sponsors: AC Hotel Portsmouth, The Brook, The Kane Company/Tidemark, Katzman Contemporary Projects, Raka, Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel and Stirling Brandworks.