Portsmouth Music and Arts Center

08/21/2026

Join us today at 3pm at the Portsmouth NH Senior Activity Center for a concert with the incredible Sharon Jones!! Suggested donations benefit the Shaw Brothers Scholarship Fund which supports emerging PMAC artists.

Please note that the time is *3pm.* (An earlier listing said 4pm - apologies for any confusion)

Tomorrow - Portsmouth's gem and talented Sharon Jones will entertain as we have our next Shaw Brothers Scholarship for PMAC event to support scholarships at Portsmouth Music and Arts Center. Any donation in the door goes to a good cause! Thank you to The Edgewood Center for sponsoring the refreshments. Just show up! You don't want to miss this one.

08/14/2026

Two new creative opportunities for adults (18+) are coming to PMAC this fall. "Block Printmaking" and "Relax and Create" are six-week classes where you can experiment with new ideas and techniques, and explore your creativity.

Whether you’re looking to try something new or deepen an artistic practice, you're invited to join us!

Learn more and register at PMAC: https://pmaconline.org/art-classes/

07/26/2026

Registration is now open for art classes for ages 55+!

This fall, explore:
• Bookbinding: Learn hand-sewn binding techniques and create handmade books with unique folds and structures. New projects each session welcome both new and returning students.
• Memory in Print: Build layered monoprints using gelli plates, collage, texture, and experimental techniques to create one-of-a-kind prints inspired by memory, imagination, and place.
• Sustainable Printmaking: Experiment with cyanotypes, botanical printing, collagraphs, low-tox linocuts, and more using natural, found, and recycled materials.

Classes are designed for all experience levels, so whether you're trying printmaking for the first time or returning to the studio, you'll find plenty of room to explore.

PMAC offers graduated tuition for adults with the Creative Aging Program: Adult students 65+ enrolled in a Thursday morning or afternoon adult art class are eligible to receive a discount off their tuition based on their age!
-Ages 65 - 69 = 50% tuition discount
-Ages 70 - 74 = 75% tuition discount
-Ages 75+ = Free

Learn more and register online at: https://pmaconline.org/musicart/art/

07/17/2026

Check out the art created by students at PMAC’s Summer Art Camp Week 2! This week’s theme was “All About Art” which explored artists, techniques, and styles from around the world. Monet, Frida Kahlo, and Picasso were a few of the studied artists. What a week of creativity! 💫

07/15/2026

Explore the satisfying intersection of collage and printmaking in this collagraph prints workshop.

You’ll learn how to design and build collagraph plates using a variety of textured materials, then explore inking and printing techniques to create richly layered, tactile prints. The workshop leans into experimentation—playing with patterns and texture—to create visually dynamic pieces.

🎨 For Adults
📅 Thursday, August 6, 4-7pm
💵 $85
📍PMAC, 973 Islington St, Portsmouth

https://pmaconline.org/music-art-programs/collagraph-prints-workshop/

07/13/2026

Lights, camera, action! 🎬

This spring, students in PMAC's brand-new Filmmaking class brought stories to life on screen. Students wrote, directed, acted, filmed, and edited original silent films and film noir shorts while learning how camera work, lighting, editing, and genre shape the stories we see on screen. They even explored filmmaking and archiving on 16mm film by screening Sherlock Jr. by Buster Keaton on film and creating animated film strips.

The semester wrapped up with a red carpet premiere and the first "Mackies" awards, celebrating each student's work and growth. Congratulations to all of our new filmmakers!

A special thank you to instructors Kathleen Young and Eli Vannata for guiding this first class, and to ZEISS Cinema for providing professional cameras. We can't wait to see what many of these students create next at our summer Filmmaking Camp.

07/12/2026

Scenes from Week 1 Art Camp! 🐚🌺🌞
Inspired by the beauty and complexity of nature, students translated their observations and imagination into creatures, landscapes, textured artworks that incorporate found objects, and more. Look at that creativity!

07/09/2026

Registration is open for 2026/27 music ensembles and fall visual art classes. Also, inquire now for music or art lessons starting in September.

There’s a lot to look forward to at PMAC this year! Here are examples of programs by age group:

🌟 YOUTH
6 Week Art Classes
Sandpipers Chorus
Rock 101 Band

🌟 TEEN
Cartooning Class
Voices in Motion Chorus
Teen Rock, Blues, and/or Jazz Bands

🌟 ADULT
Block Printmaking Workshop
6 Week Art Classes for Ages 55+
Over 20 Music Ensembles to Join!

Learn more and register at https://pmaconline.org/music-art-programs/

07/08/2026

After spending the week learning, collaborating, and creating together, PMAC's Summer Teen Jazz Workshop and Teen Rock and Beyond Workshop students will take the stage at Prescott Park Arts Festival to share what they've accomplished, from jazz standards to original songs.

🎷 Teen Jazz Workshop Concert
📅 Friday, July 10 | 5 PM

🎸 Teen Rock and Beyond Workshop I Concert
📅 Friday, July 17 | 5 PM

🎸 Teen Rock and Beyond Workshop II Concert
📅 Friday, July 24 | 5 PM

All concerts will be performed on the outdoor stage at Prescott Park Arts Festival. Performances are free to attend, with suggested donations supporting Prescott Park Arts Festival. Bring a chair or blanket and join us for an evening of live music by our talented student musicians!