Heart Garden: Ease back to work with memories, Xmas Lunch

I had initial thoughts of just scrapping this post entirely because it felt late since Christmas has already passed. However, quoting James Richardson in his article about easing back to reality (or work) after vacation, sharing your holiday memories with others actually helps  ‘ease the emotional letdown that coming home (or work) often fosters.’ Who knew it could be so therapeutic?

Friday 17th Dec

There was a very festive atmosphere at Art in the Park, with the Heart Gardeners putting up more Christmas decorations, lots of food being prepared, tables set and a mix of melodic music in the air and snow coming down in Burgess Park!

Heart Garden: Handmade Xmas Decos

Friday 10th Dec

Last week saw the Heart Gardeners getting into the festive and creative spirit making innovative, handmade Christmas decorations. Using lots of natural materials such as laurels, holly, pine cones and even some figs! Most of the material were leftovers from the wreath-making workshop the week before.

Some more photos here.

Christmas Wreath-making Workshop

You may have seen from our previous post on the prepping for the Christmas wreath-making workshop.

Art in the Park artists Andrea Sinclair and Bill Hudson, supported by several volunteers, ran a drop-in Christmas wreath-making workshop last saturday in the AIP studios. Using all natural or recycled materials such as clippings of plants such as Holly, Laurel and Ivy, provided by Southwark Parks, pine cones and seed pods and colourful and glittering fabrics, threads and wires.

There was a good turnout, with lots of families and a sizeable group of Young Friends of Burgess Park. Using the same materials people made large decorations to hang on the outdoor Christmas Tree outside Chumleigh Cafe and wreaths to take away for their own homes.

Here for more pictures.

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Xmas Wreath Making Prep

A busy day of blogging! In the studio today are Art in the Park artists Andrea Sinclair and Bill Hudson working on samples for this Saturday’s decoration and wreath making workshop. Various samples will be made to give participants a visual starting point for creating their own. The workshop is part of this sat’s event announcing the new Chumleigh Cafe name. There will also be mulled wine and minced pies!

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Burgess Park gets a Christmas Tree

You may have seen from our previous posts that Art in the Park’s artist Bill Hudson and his trusty assistant Brian (one of our regular volunteers) have been working on a Christmas Tree planter for Chumleigh Cafe’s Christmas Tree. Today, it was finally put up! Bill Hudson, local sculptor Will and Quadrant Park Manager Graham had to lift  the 5 metre tree with a hoist before slotting it carefully into the metal tube affixed inside the planter. It was then filled up with soil and moved to the corner outside Chumleigh Cafe.

More pictures to come when it’s decorated with lights, trinkets and bobbles.

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Xmas decoration & Wreath making workshop

Get festive this coming Saturday 4th Dec with your own custom made christmas decorations for tree and door. Our Christmas decoration and wreath making workshop will use a variety of natural and recycled materials.

This is part of Chumleigh Cafe’s new tree dressing and announcement of their new cafe name, the day will see Councillor Veronica Ward (Cabinet member for Culture, Leisure, Sports and the Olympics) unveiling the winner of the cafe naming competition as well as choir singing, mulled wine and mince pies! What else do you need?

These events will take place in Chumleigh Gardens, Burgess Park with the workshop taking place in our studio.

For more information, see our website for details.

(click on image to download the flyer)

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Christmas tree planter: nearly done!

It’s the second day and the Christmas tree planter that AiP artist Bill Hudson is working on is nearly complete.

The timber  used is tanalised (dipped in a chemical to preserve the wood for longer) and is possibly spruce or pine.

With only finishing touches such as sanding and possibly staining left.  When completed, the planter is expected to carry the weight of a five metre Christmas tree, adorned with many twinkles and trinkets. We can’t wait to see that!

Christmas tree planter

Artist Bill Hudson is currently working on a Christmas Tree planter for Chumleigh Cafe. He donned several layers of clothing and protective gear just in order to cut two long pieces of timbre!