Prompt + Ponder + Play: All Ages Creative Drop-in
w/ Artist Ashley Norman
Saturday, July 11
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 Artist Advancement Grant exhibition, this space invites you to explore light, shadow, symbols, and transformation through playful, open-ended making.
You might follow a prompt, roll the dice, trace a shadow, or build something from memory or imagination. You might collaborate with someone else or work quietly on your own.
There is no right way to do this. Just begin and see what unfolds.
What to Expect
- A series of prompt-based art stations using drawing, collage, light, and mixed media
- Simple invitations to explore pattern, symbols, and storytelling
- Chance-based activities using dice, cards, and intuitive prompts
- Opportunities for both individual and collaborative making
- A welcoming, low-pressure environment for all ages
Sample Prompts
You might find yourself:
- Drawing from memory or shared experience
- Creating symbols or small talismans
- Letting chance guide your next step
- Tracing shadows and playing with light
- Adding to a collaborative piece that slowly evolves
Prompts are just starting points. Follow them, remix them, or wander in your own direction.
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.
Flashlights will be available if you want to explore light, shadow, and a slower, more focused way of working.
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.
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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.