Art on the Move: How One Rhode Island Artist Turned a Camper into a Mobile Masterpiece

​For many, the pandemic was a time of pause, but for Rhode Island native Ashley Ernest, it was the catalyst for a cross-country adventure that would eventually birth a unique local business. After spending six and a half months traveling the United States in a camper with her husband, Matthew, and their son, Tate, Ernest returned to the Ocean State with a bold vision. She took that very camper, stripped it down, and transformed it into the Creative Wanderings Art Center (CWAC)—a fully functioning mobile art studio.
"It kind of came out of nowhere," Ernest shared during a recent Spotlight Interview at the Cowesett Inn. "I was at home with my son and realized I needed more. I had spent a lot of time teaching kids... so it was just the right time at the right moment."
Ernest is no stranger to the arts. She holds a B.A. from Rhode Island College and an M.F.A. from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design. With over 20 years of experience as an arts educator, she has worked with communities ranging from Providence to Philadelphia.
Today, her mobile studio brings creativity directly to the community. CWAC travels throughout New England, catering primarily to families and children ages 5 to 11, though they also host adult events and corporate team-building workshops. The camper brings everything needed for a successful art session—tables, chairs, and supplies—and features an awning that can comfortably seat up to 36 children. In cases of inclement weather or school enrichment programs, the CWAC team effortlessly moves the creative experience indoors.
Students can engage in a diverse array of projects, from sewing mini stuffies and building wind chimes to working with wood and clay. Drawing on her metalsmithing background, Ernest even hopes to introduce a mobile jewelry bench in the future to teach older kids the art of soldering.
For Ernest, the business is about much more than just crafting; it's about filling a critical gap in education and providing a therapeutic outlet for youth. "They take away the arts first in schools, which is unfortunate," she notes. "Kids can really hone in on their art, and it acts as a stress relief."
Currently based in Providence, Creative Wanderings Art Center continues to expand its reach, offering seasonal art camps, after-school enrichments, and private parties.
To learn more about booking an event or to register for their upcoming summer camps beginning in July, visit www.CreativeWanderingsArt.com.