Parade Puppet Making at Lauriston Farm

No prior experience necessary. We'll be using clay, paper mache, cloth and paint to sculpt, build and decorate our puppets that celebrate the biodiversity of our Unexpected Garden's home at Lauriston Farm. We'll be working outside, so please wear weather appropriate clothing that you don't mind getting a bit messy. Sign up to either the full 6 day course, or just the sessions you can make it along to. All ages are welcome, under 14's must be accompanied by an adult. If you're signing up with an under 14 year old, please just select one ticket.

Session 1 on Mon 4th : clay sculpting 3D puppet heads for our sun seed and rain guardian puppets alongside painting 2D puppets that celebrate the biodiversity at the farm from plants to creepy crawlies.

Session 2 on Wed 6th : paper mache of our 3D puppet heads and painting 2D puppets that celebrate the biodiversity at the farm from plants to creepy crawlies.

Session 3 on Sat 9th : paper mache of our 3D puppet heads and painting 2D puppets that celebrate the biodiversity at the farm from plants to creepy crawlies.

Session 4 on Mon 11th : using willow to make support structures for the 3D puppets & painting 2D puppets that celebrate the biodiversity at the farm from plants to creepy crawlies.

Session 5 on Wed 13th : painting the cloth bodies for the 3D puppets & painting 2D puppets that celebrate the biodiversity at the farm from plants to creepy crawlies.

Session 6 on Sat 16th : assembling the 3D puppets & puppeteering them

Our team who will facilitate the workshops for this project are :

visual artist - Natasha Russell

visual artist & puppet maker - Emma Brierley

puppet maker - Ella Mackay

We encourage participants to travel by foot, bike or public transport when possible.

Lothian Buses: 16, 27,29 and 37 all come very close to the farm - within a few minutes walk from the bus stop. We'll be working in or near to the Unexpected Garden which is located just through the gate that leads off the Toby Carvery car park on Lauriston Farm Road, EH4 5EX.

There is limited car parking available at the Toby Carvery car park, otherwise there's ample residential parking in the neighbouring areas.

Access info : there is hard standing from the Toby Carvery car park to the sheltered area which is accessible by wheelchair. Please contact us directly in advance to discuss any further access needs and we'll do our best to support your inclusion at our event.

Image Credit : Emma Brierley / Temporary Commons "The Dragon King" made in collaboration with community members as part of Dream Community's carnival in Jīlóng, Taiwan (2014).

A bird census took place at Lauriston Farm this Spring. This Summer youth groups in North Edinburgh are making bird parade puppets to celebrate some of the species that were seen and heard on the land - they will also join us for this year's Harvest Festival.

An example of fish puppets that Emma made in collaboration with community volunteers.

Host or Publisher Dandelion at Lauriston Agroecology Farm