Past Workshops & Events

Event – Winter Gathering for Connection, Creativity & Change – February 2026

Inaugural Rural Peace Hub event connecting artists, activists, changemakers, leaders, & peacebuilders  to reflect on what matters, and take meaningful action.

See here >> for full details

‘An extraordinary collective of thinkers and artists.’ (Allison – teacher, academic, poet).

‘There was so much potential at this first event. I have left with a head full of possibilities.’  (Cath – social entrepreneur).

‘It was absolutely brilliant. Inspiring, positive, and fun.’ (Katie – climate activist, writer).

PARTICIPATORY EXHIBITION – PLAY – October 2021

Paintings & installations by Sara Downham-Lotto at MakeTank Exeter, UK

See Mulberry Detritus in Gallery

‘Children learn through play ….. and adults play through art. We’re continuing that process that children do and which we’re sort of told to stop doing after a certain age. ….. We have to practice imagining all the time. We’re born with the equipment to do it but we aren’t born with the capability of doing it. We develop that through life and through play and through art.’

Brian Eno

PARTICIPATORY EVENT – THE IMAGINARIUM OF US – May-Sept 2021

A Burn the Curtain Production (in association with Arts Lab), celebrating Exeter’s green spaces

Across 3 Exeter city parks, a series of free, outdoor summer artist-led workshops for all, culminating in grand finale spectacles.

‘Part exhibit and part performance, audiences are guided by ethereal “Curiositors” through participatory art installations, strange machines, ghostly voices and bizarre objects celebrating the extraordinary and the everyday.’

EXHIBITION – TOO LONG IN THE LOBBY – Sept 2021

Inaugural live exhibition at Exeter MakeTank

Exhibition of painting, sculpture and film by 4 artists responding to the waiting and uncertainty of the past year of lockdowns and global pandemic.

‘A fabulous exhibition, and so exciting to see stella contemporary art @maketankexeter and @artslabuk.’

WORKSHOP – ART IN THE WOODS – May 2021

Woods for Wellness morning with Woodland Presents & S.Downham-Lotto

Exploring the Dartington woods through creative making, using the environment both as inspiration and a place to find objects to create art with.

ONLINE COURSES FOR ADULTS – KITCHEN TABLE WORKSHOPS – 2020-21

Wellbeing mixed media art with S.Downham-Lotto

Weekly, morning online drawing, painting and art history workshops for adults dealing with mental health challenges and their carers, all from the comfort of their kitchen tables.

‘The support and encouragement in these sessions is a rare find when embarking on a journey of recovery/self-discovery. It’s also a valuable asset to the Mental Health Community and indeed the local community.’ Anne

For sample of artwork created, see Gallery >>> The Artist in Everyone

ONLINE COURSES FOR KIDS – THE GREAT SKETCHBOOK PROJECT – 2020-21

Mixed media art with Sophy D’Angelo

Weekly afternoon, online drawing and painting workshops for kids (9-13yrs), keeping them happy, connected and creative.

‘These sessions have been a lifesaver during lockdown. My kids really look forward to getting all their art materials out and creating with Sophy and the other children through zoom. These days, it’s the only art they get!’ A happy parent.

ONLINE COURSES FOR ADULTS  –  MAKING MONDAYS – 2020-21

Experimental drawing & painting with S.Downham-Lotto

Weekly evening, online workshops to guide participants in playful explorations in mixed media and art history.

‘I enjoyed the workshop tasks enormously, so well structured. And it’s been really useful seeing what others have done and learning from that’. Angus

For sample of artwork created, see Gallery >>> The Artist in Everyone

EXHIBITION – Inside Out – Feb 2020

Prisoner artwork

2D and 3D artwork made by prisoners at HMP Dartmoor individually in cells and during group workshops with artist Sara Downham-Lotto, as part of Arts Lab’s Great Prison Art Exchange project.

‘What a treat! Powerful work and so interesting. We had a privileged visit with Sara, introducing us to the artistic ambience of the men’s attitudes towards art.’ Exhibition visitors

To view some of the artwork, go to Gallery >>> Cell Scenes; Shared Purpose Shared Hope; Can’t Sleep with a Storm in Your Head; Art as Collaboration.

COURSES FOR ADULTS  –  MAKING MONDAYS – 2017-2020

Experimental drawing & painting with S.Downham-Lotto

Weekly evening workshops for adults to build creative confidence exploring different techniques with mixed media.

‘Another fab course. Emboldened by the sessions, I am enjoying working on the edge of my comfort zone. Art is amazing!’ Jane

For sample of artwork created, see Gallery >>> The Artist in Everyone

COURSES FOR KIDS – AFTER SCHOOL CLUB – 2017-2020

Mixed media art with Sophy D’Angelo

Weekly art club for 8-14 year olds to develop ideas, skills and talents using mixed media in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

‘My daughter has been attending the club for a couple of years now. She loves being able to explore different ideas and skills in a relaxed way. It’s the only after school club she insists on coming back to. I don’t know what we’ll do when she’s too old for it!’ A happy parent.

OPEN STUDIO AFTERNOONS  –  Dartington Studio 20 – 2017-2020

Monthly invitation for all to see what we’re up to

Drop-in visits for latest Arts Lab news, exhibitions and opportunities to sign up to get involved or simply have a chat.

‘Wonderful space. Great project. We need you!’ Visitor

ARTIST TALK & drawing activity – Anna Boland Snapshots of time – Feb 2020

Meet the Winter Experimenter

Discussion and time-related drawing activity with installation artist Anna Boland, ‘exploring invisible fleeting moments in time that are forgotten or overlooked’.

‘Really thought-provoking and interesting. Loved the chance we had to discuss our practice and get stuck in to some collaborative drawing with empathetic professionals.’ Rachel

EXHIBITION & ARTIST TALK – Alice Clough Word-Body – Jan 2020

Meet the Summer Experimenter

Exhibition, talk and collaborative workshop with Alice Clough, exploring themes of language, control and being human in an age of social disconnect and environmental collapse.

WORKSHOPS – SASSY SATURDAYS – 2017- 2019

Monthly experimental drawing & painting workshops with S.Downham-Lotto

Opportunity to build creative confidence working in a spacious artist’s studio alongside a professional artist for a whole day.

‘I really enjoy the process of being introduced to a subject and then allowing the creative process to unfold in its own time. With my job I am required to work at a fast pace, and I need to balance the stress of that with the pace of my activities outside of the workplace.’ Helen

For sample of artwork created, see Gallery >>> The Artist in Everyone

EXHIBITION – CELEBRATE! – Dec 2019

Artwork by regular workshop participants

Mixed media, sculpture and installation artwork created by participants of Arts Lab’s After School Club for kids and Making Mondays drawing and painting course for adults.

‘Really interesting range of ideas and skills and lovely care and attention to presenting. Thank you for another year of splendid arts groups. Well done all you imaginative people!’ Exhibition visitor

MEET THE ARTISTS – 2 ARTIST EXPERIMENTERS – Sept 2019

Meet our Summer Experimenters

An opportunity to have a chat with Arts Lab’s 2 summer resident artist experimenters – Alice Clough and Georgina Lewis – and see what work they’ve been up too.

LATE NIGHT EVENT – HOME BREW COLLECTIVE – June 2019

House music & art event for all

A night with the Home Brew Collective – a local, young and progressive DJ group – bringing the best in House music for a unique dance experience.

EXHIBITION – ART AS COLLABORATION II – June 2019

Paintings by prisoners created in collaboration with artist S.Downham-Lotto

2nd exhibition from Arts Lab’s Great Prison Art Exchange project. – A unique opportunity to view and purchase artwork before installation at HMP Dartmoor and exhibitions in London.

‘Great to encourage people that might not otherwise have the opportunity to make art. Fantastic work. So expressive and powerful. We loved it.’ Exhibition visitors.

To view artwork, go to Gallery >>> Art as Collaboration.

FAMILY WORKSHOP – MAKE A MONSTER  – May 2019

Creative & playful morning activity for all the family

An exciting new workshop run by young artist associate Holly Nevill – imagining, drawing, doodling, cutting and sticking ideas into a wearable monster costume to take away.

COURSE FOR KIDS – AFTER SCHOOL FILM CLUB – May 2019

Multimedia technology skills build with local film maker

Classes covering a wide range of filmmaking skills that culminate in creating a short film and/or music video.

EVENING EVENT – Arts Lab 3rd Birthday Party  – May 2019

Immersive celebration for all

An open party with music, film, painting and sculpture displays, space to make art, a bar with local brews and dancing ’til late with home grown young DJs.

WORKSHOP – INTERPRETATIONS – May 2019

Collaborative making & movement for artists & dancers

Exciting whole-day opportunity with Bath’s Forged Line Dance Company to explore and develop the shared language of what makes us human through dance and visual art installation.

EXHIBITION – FASHION & ANIMALS – Apr 2019

After School Club spring show 

Seasonal After School Club exhibition of artwork by 8-13 year olds created with Sophy D’Angelo, displaying large scale fashion pieces and collages of endangered animals.

‘Amazing creativity and fabulous skills on display. We’re really impressed by all the work in this show and the inspiration behind it. Thank you Sophy!’ (Molly’s family)

EXHIBITION – ART AS COLLABORATION – Feb 2019

Paintings by prisoners in collaboration with artist Sara Downham-Lotto

First exhibition from Arts Lab’s Great Prison Art Exchange project at HMP Dartmoor.

‘Great work! Great colour, design and exploration of textures.’ Exhibition visitor

To view artwork, go to Gallery >>> Art as Collaboration.

EXHIBITION – PAINT MATTERS – Dec’18-Jan’19

Group show celebrating paint

With Chris Sargent, Francesca Beards, Josephine Birch, Louise Hensby Dixon, Nigel Moores, Sara Downham-Lotto, Stuart Voaden & members of The Great Prison Art Exchange.

‘Our days can be consumed by the internet with its bombardment of images, over sanitised and regulated spaces, systems and ways of being, and a pace that overrides contemplation and play.

The beauty of paint and painting is that it offers a necessary antidote to our 21st century lives. We stop, we play, interract with the materials and each other, we express. Experiencing it through doing and seeing, uplifts, gives hope and helps to make the world around us physically more beautiful.’  S. Downham-Lotto

WORKSHOP – DRAW WITH US! – Oct-Dec 2018

Drawing with Beth Welby & Claudia Schmid

Open, unguided group drawing for all levels, facilitated by local artist-illustrators, Bethan Welby and Claudia Schmid. A chance to draw with others in a loose and playful way.

WORKSHOPS – TANGLED ROOTS – Oct-Dec 2018

Drawing inspired by the Dartington gardens with artist-illustrator Josephine Birch

(i) Imaginative drawing for mums & daughters.

(ii) Twilight drawing sessions for all.

WORKSHOP – WINTER CYCLE – Nov 2018

Drawing with Louise Schmid

Winter experimenter and abstract painter, Louise Schmid, showcases her work around Winter Rhizomes and facilitates discussion and drawing activities around related themes.

EXHIBITION – A QUIET COLLABORATION – Oct 2018

Collaborative exhibition at Dartington Space Gallery

Painting & installation at the Dartington Space Gallery by Stacey Righton & Sara Downham-Lotto in association with  art.earth.

MEET THE ARTIST & PARTICIPATE – RAZZ TWIZZLER – Oct 2018

Participatory art with J.McCree in the Dartington Gardens & Studio 20

Members of the public join Autumn Experimenter Jonathan McCree to create a series of abstract drawings and paintings inspired by the surrounding Dartington Hall estate, then curated into a final installation.

ARTIST CONSULTANCY – A SPACE TO TALK – Sept-Nov 2018

FREE one-to-one creative confidence boost with artist Nigel Moores

For established and emerging artists, ‘advice clinics’ to build capacity to make work with confidence and panache.

‘I saw nine people during the three sessions over three months, an hour for each chat. All expressed a very positive reaction to this opportunity and went away with a plan of action.’ Nigel

EXHIBITION – COLOUR WORKS – Sept-Oct 2018

Local, emerging artist’s first show at The Green Table

Artist associate Anna Donaldson’s increasingly distinctive style   – bold, brave and full of colour – is illustrated with themes ranging from buildings and interiors, to flowers and abstracts.

ARTIST TALK & WORKSHOP – SPLASH! Artist residency – Sept 2018

Discussions & workshops with Stuart Voaden

‘We know that art is somehow important, but many of us are not sure how or why. Especially if we haven’t had a formal art education, are not part of the ‘professional’ art world or just unsure about how to begin to appreciate or interpret art? Is that even allowed with contemporary art? What’s the way in?’

EXHIBITION – DRIVEN – July-Sept 2018

Inaugural Green Table exhibition by emerging young artists

A collaboration between Arts Lab and Dartington Arts celebrating local young creatives, curated by Jordan Reynolds and Sara D-Lotto.

WORKSHOPS – IT’S IN THE DOODLE – Feb-Sept 2018

Whole day drawing workshops with Claudia Schmid   

‘Doodling is something many people who wouldn’t consider themselves as artists enjoy doing. Doodles are pieces of art in themselves or they can be a source from which one can extract ideas that are developed further.’ Claudia

EXHIBITION – ILLUMINATE – Aug 2018

Paintings by S.Downham-Lotto at Dartington Space Gallery

Created with, for and about music, Sara’s mixed media abstract paintings  accompanied the Dartington International Summer School of Music. The title comes from a quote embedded in one of the exhibition pieces by Dmitri Shostakovich:

‘Music illuminates a person through and through … . Even half-mad Stalin, a beast and a butcher instinctively sensed that about music. That’s why he feared and hated it.’

EXHIBITION – JUNIOR ARTS LAB SHOW – July 2018

Drawing, painting & collage by Sophy D’Angelo’s After School Club

MONTHLY MEET UPS – ARTISTS’ COLLECTIVE – 2017-2019

Monthly networking evenings for artists

Meeting other artists over shared food for talks, films, informal group crits and opportunities to exhibit or to dream up collaborate projects.

EXHIBITION – ART WITHOUT BORDERS – July 2018

Paintings on a refugee theme by Fiona Green

‘Moved by the art of Yonas, an Eritrean artist and asylum seeker stuck in Calais Camp, and inspired by the work of Saif Ali of Integr8UK with whom I have worked since its inception at Dartington, I have created these pieces. My own history is born into the Partition of India and the terrible aftermath of that history, and as a child taught at Dartington by Spanish refugees, Dr Margarita Camps, Marina and Carito Rodriguez.’  Fiona Green

EXHIBITION – DO MORE OF WHAT YOU LOVE – July-Sept 2017

Antidote to doom & gloom

As an antidote to the current political doom and gloom, we opened the doors at Arts Lab to celebrate the positive energy of shared purpose that comes from artists and young people working together doing what they love.