A new workshop series will offer walking tours around Portsmouth to inspire the development of haiku. The “Looking Up, Writing Down” series began on July 13 and continues every Wednesday through Aug. 3.

Presented by the Writing Institute of Portsmouth, the series encourages students to explore the city from a different perspective each week. On July 13, photographer Marianne Pernold Young led students through historic downtown and advised them to focus on the theme of “beauty and the beast,” searching for examples of the contrast. They later worked on haiku based on the snapshots they took.

The workshop on Wednesday, July 20, will focus on the theme of “Old and New.” Participants will meet at the Discover Portsmouth Center and then walk a new route through town, snapping photos that depict the theme along the way. They’ll then spend time on haiku in Prescott Park (or in Portsmouth Public Library if it rains).

The third workshop on July 27 will embrace the theme of “People and Nature,” featuring the same format but with a different route through town. The series concludes on Aug. 3 with a wrap-up session at Portsmouth Public Library.

All workshops take place from 9 to 11 a.m. Participants will be charged a fee. Students should bring their own camera, although it can be as simple as a cell phone camera. To sign up or for more information, contact Rebecca Partridge at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 603-953-5355.