A sketchbook workshop led by local artist John Ainsworth, exploring the history and natural world of Baffins Pond, part of the Portsmouth 100 festivities.
John Ainsworth is leading a sketchbook workshop at Alderman Lacey Library on Saturday 18 July, from 10:30am to 12:30pm. It's part of the Portsmouth 100 Wonders festivities, a series of events run by the Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery. Ainsworth works under the name whenwewerecows, and this session is built around Baffins Pond.
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The morning starts with an introduction to the pond's history, both past and present, followed by a walk around the water. Once you're back, Ainsworth guides you through developing your own creative practice, working with pencils, pens, and natural elements to record memories and the natural world on paper. It's less about producing a finished masterpiece and more about the act of sketching and noting things down as you go.
There's a bigger picture here, too. The workshop is part of the Portsmouth 100 Wonders: Heritage Art Club collection, and it serves as a lead-in to Your Museum, Your Stories, Your City, an exhibition that opens in October 2026. If you enjoy this one, there are more in the series coming up: Hilsea Lido on 22 August, Milton Locks on 12 September, and Central Library on 10 October.
It's open to anyone over 16, and you don't need any prior experience — just curiosity. All the materials are provided, so you only need to turn up. The session is free, and it runs from 10:30am to 12:30pm at the Alderman Lacey Library, 109 Tangier Road, PO3 6PB.
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