Exhibit: Arts In Reach

How does art spark dialogue and build empathy? This May, the Portsmouth Public Library invites you to explore the intersection of youth creativity and community advocacy.

In celebration of Seacoast Affordable Housing Week – part of the nationwide Affordable Housing Month – young artists have transformed their perspectives on housing into a powerful public art installation. Under the guidance of local artist Elise Morissette, participants explored how art can spark dialogue, build empathy, and deepen community awareness. This collaboration has resulted in a piece that reflects the essential connection between housing and community well-being.

Through this hands-on project, these young creators have sharpened their skills in critical thinking and collaborative design, translating their personal observations into a visual conversation that invites us all to reconsider what "home" truly means.

Join us in the library lobby for the unveiling of the final piece and to meet the artists. This community celebration is free and open to all! Friday May 1 at 2 PM.

About Our Partners
Arts In Reach (AIR) is a creative youth development organization offering free afterschool and vacation arts programs for young people ages 10–18 across the New Hampshire Seacoast. Through mentorship and an inclusive creative community, AIR uses the visual, performing, and literary arts as tools for self-expression, connection, and growth, building confidence, belonging, and a sense of purpose. Learn more here: artsinreach.org

Home For All is a cross-sector partnership of over 90 individuals and organizations dedicated to making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring in the Seacoast region. By championing the development of quality, accessible, and affordable housing, Home For All works to ensure that every neighbor has a stable place to call home. Through data-driven strategies and community-wide collaboration, they bridge the gap between housing policy and the real-world needs of Seacoast residents. Learn more here: homeforall-seacoast.org