School buses have turned into tiny houses on wheels. Vans have become synonymous with a nomadic existence that enables travel. And one local camper has turned into a mobile art studio. Turning vehicles into mobile spots where people live, work or gather is a trend that’s on the move, literally and figuratively — and so is Creative Wanderings.  

Ashley Ernest began her venture through Rhode Island in Barrington in 2023 when she and her husband, Matt Werkmeister transformed their camper conversion van from a mobile home to a mobile art center. With a passion for art and a young child, Ernest needed flexibility in her career, and blending art with mobility was the perfect solution.  

In the beginning Ernest ran art classes for after school programs primarily in Barrington schools and neighboring towns, though branching out to more locations did happen pretty swiftly, as more schools and organizations reached out for services.  

Recently, in September of 2024, she and her husband moved to Providence to be more centrally located to make it easier to service more areas. Ernest said, “I am glad to be centrally located because now I am closer to more towns and more cities; we can even travel out of state to Boston, and other places in Massachusetts easier now.”   

The expansion isn’t limited to location, as Ernest has also added an additional instructor, with the hopes of adding more in the future. And even more growth is happening in the near future, as she has started to think about adding a wood shop program for kids to work on small wood projects. 

Despite all the expansion, Ernest continues to focus on the kids and the art they create. As the business grows, so do the art projects. New ideas are constantly being developed, as more business leads to more returning kids. “I don’t want them to repeat the same projects over and over and get bored,” shared Ernest. 

One relatively new project she has introduced is a fabric book. Kids create their own themes for the fabric books, which can be anything from a journal to a calendar to a guidebook or even simple drawings. “I don’t impose too many restrictions; it’s after school, so I want them to have the freedom to do something fun and productive,” shared Ernest. 

Ernest, who remains on the move all across New England has not forgotten her roots in Barrington. Just recently, students at Primrose Hill School in Barrington made bunny “stuffies,” which is another newer project spawned out of the snow people that were being made over the winter months. “With the warmer weather approaching, the idea for bunnies just made more sense,” explained Ernest.  

Creative Wanderings is embracing the warmer weather, with Ernest exploring which camps, events, and local libraries are eager to have the mobile art studio bring some creative fun their way. 

The artist inside the camper  

“I actually journal every morning using a journal called Morning Pages,” Ernest shared. Her daily routine keeps her focused and gives her the ambition an artist needs to create something new. Ernest is first and foremost an artist. “At the end of the day I am a practicing artist and it’s nice to be here,” she said with enthusiasm in her voice. 

She continues to work on her own artistic endeavors when not busy chasing her three-and-a-half-year-old child or working on art projects in after school programs. 

Art is an outlet almost like her journaling routine. “When I create art, I try to make something to clear my brain,” she shared. She said, “My focus on my own mental health through art facilitates happy emotions and relieves stress, and I hope it works like that for the kids who do their art projects, too.”  

Right now, she is exploring new art techniques. “I have been experimenting with different materials, with no real subject matter in mind, but a lot of color.” 

According to Ernest, that color is meant to be on the road with her in her mobile art studio — connecting with the community. “Being in libraries, schools, and museums — these connections are what truly make me feel gratified. “Even though we are constantly on the move, we aren’t going anywhere; we are here to stay,” she shared. She remains persistent and is excited to see where the camper goes next. 

_{New ideas come to life every day, like these fabric books (pictured above) and expanding to more areas around Rhode Island includes expansion of ideas for art projects, like these bunny “stuffies” (pictured on bottom) made at Primrose Hill School in Barrington.}