Public Programmes & Festivals

What is a Lab?

Labs are playful, hands-on creative spaces designed for schools, community, festivals and intergenerational public events, and can also be developed as longer-form creative residencies.

Each Lab brings together 3–4 different creative activities, giving participants a range of ways to engage. They can run in a jamboree-style format, with activities set up across the room so people can move towards whatever sparks their curiosity, or they can be more structured, with groups rotating through each experience. As a residency, the Lab can unfold over a longer period, giving participants time to revisit ideas, develop skills and build on what they discover.

Each session begins with a short introduction to the tools, materials and techniques in the Lab. From there, the activities are designed to be largely self-led, supported by simple prompts and creative challenges that encourage participants to experiment, follow their own ideas and work at their own pace.

The emphasis is on making together, sharing materials, exchanging ideas, learning from one another and seeing where curiosity leads. Sessions can finish with an informal sharing moment, giving participants the chance to show what they have made, discovered or explored.

Light Lab

An immersive, hands-on exploration of light, shadow, colour and movement. Participants create spinning light pattern makers, use torches and natural materials to build light and shadow artworks, and construct playful structures from straws, cups and everyday materials before transforming them through projection and silhouette as well as playing with mirror settings in stop motion to make patterns. Through building, testing and changing their ideas, they discover how light can alter shape, texture, pattern and the way we see familiar materials..

Animation Lab

A playful, hands-on exploration of animation, storytelling and digital creativity. Children create characters, scenes and imaginative worlds using art materials, everyday objects and natural materials, then bring their ideas to life through stop-motion and simple AI animation. They experiment with movement, expression, sequence and visual storytelling, as well as kinetic sand, mirror effects, pattern and symmetry. An open-ended creative experience where stories develop through making, curiosity and experimentation.

Invention Lab

A hands-on exploration of imagination, circuits, engineering and invention. Participants use motors, LEDs, switches, simple electronic components and everyday materials to turn ideas into working creations. Through prompts and challenges, they imagine what could be possible, then design, build, test and adapt their inventions as they go. The focus is on creativity, experimentation, problem-solving and learning through making, using imagination to create things that move, light up, react or behave in unexpected ways.

Have a theme, idea or question you want to explore? We can shape a creative day around it together.

We will think about who it’s for, the kinds of activities you want, and what you would like people to explore or create. I will bring ideas for tools, materials, technologies and applications that can be woven together into a playful, imaginative and purposeful experience.

All the Labs start with a discussion, please get in touch!

Co-Design a Themed Creative Lab Day

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  • "The Light Lab was filled with engaging, hands-on activities that invited people of all ages and backgrounds to explore their imagination and creativity. It was wonderful to see families creating together, strangers connecting through play, and people giving themselves permission to slow down, experiment and simply enjoy the creative process."

    —Basingstoke Council Evaluation

  • "The animation maker event that we went to was fantastic. Emma is a great host and keeps the instructions simple and easy to follow. The creations that can be made are really impressive and my two children gained so much confidence with using “stop animation” video tools and being imaginative with their ideas. I would highly recommend a “maker party” or family day. You can use all the skills that you have learnt at home on those rainy days or to inspire the kids to be creative rather than watching screens. "

    — Hannah, Parent

  • "The Light Lab was like a little secret place full of joy. Seeing families creating together at The Light Lab was so inspiring"

    -Basingstoke Festival Evaluation

  • We attended one of Emma's family animation workshops today, and it was a HUGE hit with our boys (ages 9 and 7). The event was very well resourced and set up and Emma gave a great little intro to the activities. It was lovely to see the children so absorbed in their animations and there was so much creativity and fun throughout the workshop. Really super session and has opened our eyes to a whole new world of fun to be had through animation!

    Amy Butt, Parent

  • Emma is brilliant! Great set up, clear instructions and most importantly loads of fun. My 6 year old daughter had an amazing time animating funny faces and making a stop animation film. Would recommend.

    Jonathan, Parent

  • "I had a lovely time at the Light Lab with Emma. A unique and exciting experience combining art and technology for both children and adults. Don't miss it!"

    Parent & 2 Children at Basingstoke Festival