I love when friends or family come to visit us in Portsmouth, because it's an excuse to act like a tourist in my own city. Often times I discover amazing places that I never knew existed within walking distance of my apartment. It's a beautiful thing!

Recently my mother-in-law Nancy was in from New Jersey, and she's really into visual and performance art. When she visits, Steven and I need to put on our cultured pants and act like we do things other than sit around local breweries and munch on buffalo chicken dip (but that will always be our truth).

We wanted to take Nance to Jimmy's Jazz Club. We didn't think we could catch a show on such short notice, but thought it would be cool to show her the listening room. When we walked in, we noticed a really interesting art gallery on the ground floor called "The Museum of New Art" aka the MONA. It was only $5 each for residents of Rockingham county, so we thought "why the heck not?"

I know art means different things to different people and it is all up for interpretation. I didn't use too much brain power to try to understand what the artist was trying to convey. But I was really drawn in by the vibrant colors and multi-textured pieces.

Kira Lew
Kira Lew
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Kira Lew
Kira Lew
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Kira Lew
Kira Lew
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And then you step into this room which serves up big "Alice in Wonderland" energy. It actually gave me a little motion sickness which I am embarrassed to admit. Who needs Dramamine before going to an art gallery? THIS GIRL!

Kira Lew
Kira Lew
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Kira Lew
Kira Lew
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The curator behind this exhibit is an artist named Markus Linnenbrink. We watched a video that showed him creating this installation and explaining his approach to art, which was fascinating.

Going to an art gallery on a Saturday afternoon is not a normal weekend activity for me, but I'm so glad I went! Sometimes I forget how nice it feels to broaden your horizons and try new things. If you ever find yourself strolling in downtown Portsmouth and have an hour to spare, the Museum of New Art is worth a visit.

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