Fun With Plaster

This week has seen the launch of the Summer activities programme hosted by The Laboratory Art Studio based at Wat Tyler Country Park. We have a fun filled programme including painting 3D Canvases, making minions, painting birdhouse, printing t-shirts and so much more.

 Today we had an amazing plaster casting workshop where adults and children alike cast their hands in plaster by printing their palm or cupping plaster in their hands.

The studio was buzzing with budding young sculptors and artists creating amazing pieces of work. The children had to sit still (a difficult task for most of us!), to let the plaster set and then got onto the fun job of decorating the finished piece using paint and gem stones.

Here is how we got on....

Waiting patiently for the plaster to set

Cast set onto the busy job of painting!

Smiles all around, busy painting and casting

Concentrating on creating an amazing design

Waiting for the plaster to set

Proudly showing off the finished piece

We loved that these piece were colour co-ordinated, amazing work created today

 Here are some of the finished pieces

Our mums didn't want to miss out on the fun and some spent time casting and painting their own hand-print

The metallic paint really picks out the detail of this piece - it almost looks 3D

We loved the precision and colour choice of this hand cast

Just beautiful!

There is always time for  bit of splatter art!

A matching pair, beautiful painting and colour choice

If you would like any further information about our Summer programme or would like to book onto workshops or classes please email Lisa on the_laboratory@hotmail.co.uk

Summer Art Blast

This Summer The Laboratory will be bursting with creative workshops, classes and projects for all ages. Each day of the week we have different art and crafts projects for you to come and try your hand at. Our workshops run between 10:00am - 4:00pm (unless otherwise specified).  Our workshops start from as little as £2:00 per item to £5:00 per person.

As well as our fun filled workshops, this Summer we will be hosting an open studio every Wednesday where you can view a selection of artwork created by The Laboratory's learners, visiting artists and The Laboratory artist Lisa Smith.

We are also delighted to announce that this Summer we will be launching two new classes:

Parents and toddler class Thursday 10:30am - 11:30am and 

Over 60's art class Thursday 1:00pm -3:00pm

To book onto any of our workshops or classes email the_laboratory@hotmail.co.uk

Summer Programme at The Laboratory, find us opposite The Green Centre at Wat Tyler Country Park

Workshops at The Laboratory are suitable for all ages and abilities

Our art workshops aim to encourage you to explore, experiment and create arts and crafts from a wide range of materials

Children's Art Parties at The Laboratory

Handmade Superhero Caps - parties can be tailor made to a specific theme or art material

A superhero is not complete without their mask and logo badge!!!

Art Classes at The Laboratory continue through the Summer

Art classes at The Laboratory provide an opportunity for children and adults to make new friends,
 learn and enhance art skills and experiment with art

Our art classes are relaxed and friendly (we even supply refreshments) Classes are suitable for all abilities so if you want to improve your art skills or try something new, why not pop along

To find out more email Lisa on the_laboratory@hotmail.co.uk

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

Superheroes Party at The Laboratory

This weekend we had a top team of  superheroes swoop into The Laboratory to celebrate a special birthday. Our super heroes enjoyed making their own mask, cape, split pin moveable figure and special super hero badge......and still had time for The Laboratories special arty pass the parcel.

Find out how our heroes got on below:

How fabulous are these Super hero themed cakes?

All good super heroes need a little help at times, mum helps to add sparkle to this beautiful pink mask

This super heroes green mask had sparkly numbers added ready to solve all sorts of equations

It takes great concentration to make a great mask and a split pin super hero!

The birthday boy working hard colouring in his mask - green appeared to be the colour of the day!

As each child arrived they were given this split pin super hero template to colour in whilst they waited for our other party super heroes to fly in

Looking on whilst getting some top tips for party host Lisa

This little super hero adds sparkle, and felt shapes to his hand made cape

More fantastic super hero cape designs being made

How amazing do these capes look? 

DC and Marvel have nothing on this lot, a lovely picture in full costume showing of their stunning masks, badges, split pin super hero and cape - all made in 2 hours - phew!

After all that hard work making it was time to play pass the parcel

Super hero pass the parcels ready for our super heroes to blast through!

Have you ever wondered what gives super heroes their power? Well we have found out the answer - popcorn!

At The Laboratory we design and deliver art parties for all ages! You chose your own theme and we design the party. You can choose from papercraft, fabric, sculpture, canvas painting, pottery, nail art, tiara and jewellery making or model making.

Themes can include under the sea, prince and princesses, bugs and butterflies, pirates, jungle animals, mermaids, hot wheels, ghosties, football, moshi monsters, Dr Who, Star Wars, Cars, The Simpsons and sooooooo much more!!! - Phew!

If you would like to enquire about a birthday parties at The Laboratory email Lisa on the_laboratory@hotmail.co.uk 

New Make over for The Laboratory

We are proud to launch our new range of promotional materials for The Laboratory Art Studio based at Wat Tyler Country Park in Basildon. The fabulous designs have all been created by the very talented Lisa Dunn, showcasing the range of activities available at the studio including weekend workshops, children's art classes, adult art classes, children's art parties, exhibition space for hire plus artwork for by yours truly.

We hope that you like our new look and look forward to seeing you at The Laboratory soon!

Our Newly designed generic flyer

Information on our art classes

Information on our children's art parties

Our new programme for July - Don't forget to book your spaces

New signs up 

I hope to see you soon at The Laboratory, if you have any questions or queries email me on the_laboratory@hotmail.co.uk