Featured Artist - Charlotte Priest

This June and July we are delighted to be exhibiting work by the talented Charlotte Priest - aka Studio Charley.

Installation view of Charlotte's beautiful Paper-cuts

Stunning Fairy-Tale paper-cut

You are the reason I breathe

 Studio Charley is the brain child of an over caffeinated, scalpel wielding paper-cutter  with a BA (Hons) in Graphic Communication and a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, who can often be found dissecting paper at her home in Essex.

Wedding Sampler

Detail of Wedding Sampler

During her admittedly short life (she is only 22!), Charley has explored and experimented with many different art and craft forms, before stumbling across the art of paper cutting a few years ago. She was immediately hooked with this art form as it fully allowed her to revel in her “cough” slight “cough” paper obsession, and she is currently combining it with her other love, fairy-tales  to bring their beautiful stories to life.

Detail of "If you go down to the woods"

Why not take this opportunity to commission a unique gift for that someone special or that special occasion. Studio Charley can produce birth, anniversary, wedding, congratulations or Family tree samplers plus images from your favourite fairy-tales – order yours today.

Family Tree

If you would like to exhibit your work at The Laboratory please contact:

Lisa Smith on 07970332097 or email the_laboratory@hotmail.co.uk

Family Christmas Crafts

This weekend we had lots of family fun at our first event as the laboratory at Wat Tyler Country Park. On Saturday hundreds of people visited the park for the Family Christmas Fun day. 

We set up in the barn, with two activities for families to come and join in - Paper Craft Christmas Trees (as pictured below) and Paper Craft Christmas Wreaths.

Multi Coloured Christmas Tree Craft

Paper Wreath Table all set up and ready for some family fun

Paper tree table ready and awaiting some crafty families

 Within  no time the barn was bustling with excitement and creativity. Families enjoyed spending quality time together, learning accessible and affordable craft techniques and thanks to the heaters - managed to kept warm whilst working! Families watched a short demonstration and the used a wide range of craft materials to create their own stunning Christmas decoration.

A beautiful Light and Dark Green Christmas tree being decorated

A busy Afternoon in the barn

 Here are some of the amazing pieces that were made throughout the day, I am sure you will agree they are quite splendid.

A beautiful Wreath ready to adorn any door

The Panda from Lee Chapel Primary even came to create a tree today

Mum and Son very happy with their creations in the barn

Hiding behind the tree

Two very happy little boys showing off their Christmas Trees

To join in more arts and crafts at the laboratory why not pencil in your diary the 12th January for our grand  opening between 10:00am-4:00pm, more information on this event coming soon.

For information on children's or adult art classes or to book a child's art party please contact Lisa Smith on the_laboratory@hotmail.co.uk