Explore, Experiment and Create
THE EXPLOSIVES Laboratory at Wat Tyler Country Park is set for an
artistic future with the site becoming an arts studio in the New Year.
One of the parks few remaining buildings from its time as an Explosives
Factory, The Laboratory has recently undergone an £80,000 refurbishment as part
of the Heritage Interpretation Project which has seen a complete transformation
of the park over the past five years.
Following the refurbishment, part of the building will now be used as an
arts studio by local artist Lisa Smith who will be offering a range of classes
for all ages and abilities and children’s art parties for birthdays,
celebrations and weddings.
Councillor Kevin Blake, cabinet member for leisure and arts at Basildon
Council said: “The Laboratory has a rich history and the refurbishment of the
building has been sympathetic to this, whilst at the same time creating a
modern, usable space.
“Lisa has been working with us on a number of arts projects at the park,
and has recently installed an exhibition based in the parks Green Centre. I am
delighted that she will be using The Laboratory for this new venture and the
art studio will really add to what is already a diverse range of activities on
offer at the park.”
Run by the British Explosives Syndicate and owned by Swedish
Industrialist Alfred Nobel (he of the international Peace Prize), The
Laboratory was severely damaged by an explosion in 1916. The result of this can
still be seen in the colour contrast of brickwork on the building.
Restored because of its heritage integrity, the refurbishment project was funded
by the Heritage Lottery Fund and whilst the outward appearance is unchanged,
the building has been fully restored internally with double glazing and
under-floor heating, making it an ideal venue for the new studio.
Lisa Smith added: “The use of recycled materials in many of my
sculptures fits in well with the ethos of the park and its buildings and will
help children and others to better understand how we can all live more
sustainably“.
The Laboratory Arts Studio will open to the public on the 12th
January 2013. For more information visit www.1thelaboratory.blogspot.co.uk or call 07970332097
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