Artists bring the outside inside at adventure centre
An “exciting” refurbishment programme at Active Kids Adventure Park in Stanley has seen a couple of artists get their creative juices flowing to bring the newly renovated indoor play spaces to life.
With a brief to bring the outdoors indoors, Crieff-based willow sculptor June McEwan and international scenic artist Sophie Kneller have been busy bringing lots of nature and wildlife into the treehousethemed indoor space and cafe.
Ahead of officially opening the new spaces in spring this year, the team at Active Kids wanted to give families a sneak peek of the space, and June and Sophie’s spectacular creations.
June, who specialises in creating ecofriendly sculptures by turning, weaving, persuading and bending willow branches, has been busy in her workshop creating some of the animals found outdoors at Active Kids – including a beautiful Highland Cow.
Her creations will be situated in and around the brand-new cafe.
Similarly, Sophie has also brought the farm animals from outside into the play area by painting some of the characters onto the walls.
In pride of place in the area for children aged three and under are the park’s resident donkeys, Jack and Lulu, which have been beautifully recreated.
There are also chickens, hens, alpacas and pigs, painted by Sophie.
With such large wall spaces to cover, Sophie is no stranger to working on projects of this size.
Based in Hampshire, she travels all over the UK and Europe painting large scenes for all sorts of different clients, from theme parks to creating optical illusions.
Sophie said: “I’ve been really happy with how it’s all come together. The colours of the wood on the equipment go really nicely with the wall backgrounds which feature lots of woodland and landscape as well as the animals.
“It’s got a nice warm feeling about it that I hope will make the kids feel really happy.”
Like Sophie, June has worked on some large-scale projects including building ninefoot-tall golfers to feature at the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in 2014.
“I love working on projects in the area and I’m delighted to be part of the renovation project at Active Kids and knowing my sculptures will be seen and enjoyed by so many children fills me with pride,” June said.
The team at Active Kids “cannot wait” for children, and their families, to see the new indoor spaces.
Rowland Thomson, business development manager at Active Kids Adventure Park, said: “It has been wonderful seeing our brand-new indoor spaces being brought to life through Sophie and June’s incredible work.”
The indoor space will include two indoor party rooms, a new toy shop and an outdoor south facing terrace as part of the new cafe as well as the treehouse themed indoor play area.
Active Kids Adventure Park is currently closed for the winter and to complete the refurbishments. It is due to open in early spring.
The park will announce an official date “very soon”, according to a spokesperson.