Arts Lab

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Arts Lab A participatory visual arts initiative founded by artist Sara Downham-Lotto that integrates visual arts, peacebuilding and community-led social change.

From our online platform, we:
* Sell beautiful, affordable art, profits of which support arts graduates & are reinvested in our community projects;
* Lead hands-on art workshops for groups & individuals in the community:
* Hold regular exhibitions at our Gallery, showcasing work by prisoners, emerging arts artists & many more;
* Provide support for artists at all stages of development. We welcome you to get involved! Make it, look at it, share it, talk about it, this ‘magical stuff’ called art can take your mind off things and help you to stay playful and confident to make positive changes in your life. It can also get you thinking in different ways, so you stay open to a life of learning and curiosity and build purpose into what’s absolutely right for you and the world you want to live in.

This photograph captures a meeting of practices and perspectives. In the foreground is Sara’s work in progress from a So...
07/10/2026

This photograph captures a meeting of practices and perspectives. In the foreground is Sara’s work in progress from a South African project last year, juxtaposed with filmmaking at the Rural Peace Hub last month.

Art Lab creates space for these kinds of connections, where studio-based experimentation, collaborative making, and community-engaged arts practices can inform and enrich one another. Through dialogue, exchange, and shared creative processes, new ideas and possibilities emerge.

The Virginia creeper has never looked so red, the grass so green in contrast. A golden Autumn here at the Rural Peace Hu...
28/09/2026

The Virginia creeper has never looked so red, the grass so green in contrast. A golden Autumn here at the Rural Peace Hub.

25/09/2026

Check out this short film, which captures some of the key ingredients of an awayday at the Rural Peace Hub.
It was cleverly put together on an iPhone by my daughter, who happened to be staying at just the right time.

Workshops continue in the Rural Peace Hub studio - bringing out the creative in everyone. This weekend, the focus was on...
22/09/2026

Workshops continue in the Rural Peace Hub studio - bringing out the creative in everyone. This weekend, the focus was on colour improvisations to music, overlaying discarded artwork from past workshops with bold black drawings, still life and observation. All playful. All fun experimenting with materials. All with stunning results.

Last signs of summer.As the busy season comes to an end - over 70 visitors staying at the Rural Peace Hub since April - ...
20/09/2026

Last signs of summer.

As the busy season comes to an end - over 70 visitors staying at the Rural Peace Hub since April - the luxury of drying laundry naturally outside is increasingly rare.

Changes in weather. Changes in tempo indoors. Watch this space for the Rural Peace Hub’s next event in November.

September apples from the Rural Peace Hub garden - what the birds and rabbits didn’t get!
13/09/2026

September apples from the Rural Peace Hub garden - what the birds and rabbits didn’t get!

September sunset at the Rural Peace Hub. Feels like the place to be.
11/09/2026

September sunset at the Rural Peace Hub. Feels like the place to be.

Back to what I was talking about before the film crew ‘invasion’ - partnership-building from the studio, making and look...
08/09/2026

Back to what I was talking about before the film crew ‘invasion’ - partnership-building from the studio, making and looking at art together. This summer we’ve enjoyed visitors from South Africa, and, closer to home, Newcastle.

Partnership Studio Days are an important first step in developing new Arts Lab collaborations.

Representatives from Newcastle’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector and Creative Health joined us to explore the Arts Lab methodology as part of developing a new cross-sector senior leadership programme. A nourishing and productive day was had by all.

Scenes from the final day of filming for ‘MacDonald’ at the Rural Peace Hub, where painting studio becomes photographer’...
02/09/2026

Scenes from the final day of filming for ‘MacDonald’ at the Rural Peace Hub, where painting studio becomes photographer’s dark room. Still plenty of action right up to the last minute, when - bish-bosh-bash - everything’s packed up in a couple of hours and everyone’s off home for much-needed rest.

Another filming day for ‘MacDonald’ at the Rural Peace Hub and some fascinating glimpses into behind-the-scenes. I’m ove...
28/08/2026

Another filming day for ‘MacDonald’ at the Rural Peace Hub and some fascinating glimpses into behind-the-scenes. I’m overwhelmed by the breadth of talent and grit this incredible team has - all under the direction of Daniel Vaughan and House54 production company.

Address

Allendale
Hexham

Telephone

+447951819796

Website

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