The Portsmouth Arts Guild Center for the Arts

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Portsmouth, RI
The Portsmouth Arts Guild Center for the Arts

P.O. Box 463 - 2679 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 215-0122
https://www.Portsmoutharts.org

05/31/2026

Last year’s workshop with Alison Nicholls in support of West Place Animal Sanctuary was a runaway success. West Place once again welcomes us to sketch and paint and fall in love with their residents. You’ll learn to quickly sketch animals in their natural environment — grazing, frolicking, stealing your drawing pencil, nibbling on your sun hat …

In this unique workshop you will divide your time between sketching animals at West Place Animal Sanctuary, and painting at the Guild. Professional wildlife artist Alison Nicholls has been teaching her sketching and watercolor techniques on African Art Safaris since 2011, and in this workshop she will demonstrate how to quickly and accurately sketch animals, and how to use your sketches to create expressive paintings.

“Sketching & Painting Animals From Life”, July 15 - 17, 9am- 4pm. Additional details and registration on the website at https://portsmoutharts.org/sketching-and-painting-animals-from-life/

05/29/2026

The Saturday, May 23rd Artist Demo has Be CANCELLED. It will be rescheduled at a later date. Please watch for the future date on social media.

05/27/2026

May 27th, The 22/26 Weekly Challenge. This week’s Challenge is a fun angle of the Newport Bridge which is the longest suspension bridge in New England with a total length of 11,247 feet.

Give this week’s challenge a go, and don’t forget to share your version on our Facebook Group Page, Friends of Portsmouth Arts Guild.

05/26/2026

Petals, stems, light, and color. A peek inside Elizabeth O’Connell’s Drawing & Painting Botanicals class — where Tuesdays slow down and everything beautiful gets a closer look. Running through June 16.

05/25/2026

Tuesday, May 26, 5-7pm, find the PAG Plein air group at Brenton Point, Ocean Ave, Newport. Paint any number of possibilities including rocks, surf, water or ruined buildings on trails including a picturesque lookout tower.

Bring your Plein air gear and sunscreen - join us as the dreary skies of the weekend clear and slightly warmer temperatures appear.

The details including a map are on our website; https://portsmoutharts.org/weekly-plein-air/ New to Plein air? All experience levels are welcome. If you’d like a refresher or if you’re just thinking about painting Plein air, check out our handy “Getting Started Guide” - link on our webpage. We hope you can join us tomorrow night.

05/21/2026

“To practice any art, no matter how well or how badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. So do it.” – Kurt Vonnegut.

Evening Open Studio is on pause May 14–28, but morning sessions are still going strong! Join us for studio time, community, and creativity Thursday mornings from 9:30 - noon. Bring whatever your current project might be, any media, any experience level. Connect with the artist community for this free and collegial morning. Come practice art with us this morning.

2679 East Main Road, Portsmouth.

Questions? Reach us at [email protected].

05/20/2026

Weekly Challenge 21/26

This week’s Weekly Challenge is from Rome Point and a nod to the upcoming Memorial Day.

While the flag pole is almost dead center, not the best compositionally, I think it still works.

Give this week’s challenge a go, and don’t forget to share your version on our Facebook Group Page, Friends of Portsmouth Arts Guild.

05/18/2026

Tuesday, May 19th Plein Air, 5-7pm, King Park, Newport
Seems like Mark Twain had more than one memorable quote about New England weather! “One of the brightest gems in the New England weather is the dazzling uncertainty of it.” - Mark Twain. The chill of last Tuesday will be a distant memory this Tuesday night. Bring your Plein air gear and sunscreen - join us is much warmer temperatures this week.

Paint the harbor, the trees, the waterfront and dock at King Park. The details including a map are on our website; https://portsmoutharts.org/weekly-plein-air/ New to Plein air? All experience levels are welcome. If you’d like a refresher or if you’re just thinking about painting Plein air, check out our handy “Getting Started Guide” - link on our webpage. We hope you can join us tomorrow night.

05/17/2026

Summer plans are filling up fast — make sure the Paint Off is one of them. Nine incredible artists to watch - all evening long, check out our their progress, and purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win your favorite painting. The evening ends at 8PM with the exciting raffle drawing, and you might go home with a painting by one of our talented guest artists.

Not to mention there’ll be a game of trivia, food from The Bite Food Cart and Brie & Honey food trucks, sampling a Ragged Island brew - and live music performed by Portsmouth locals – The Poppies. Kids under 18 are free and a fun art table for kids of all ages will be run and sponsored by Island Art Spot!

Psst… don’t forget lawn chairs and bug spray!and a chance to take home one of their beautiful, original paintings.

June 22nd | 5:30–9pm | $25 and genuinely one of the best nights of summer.

Tickets here: https://portsmoutharts.org/ragged-island-brewery-paint-off/

Address

PO Box 463/2679 East Main Road
Portsmouth, RI
02871

Telephone

+14012935278

Website

http://www.portsmoutharts.org/

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