Creative Soul Sessions at the Art Bar

If like me you have a creative kid who enjoys trying new methods to creat then The Art Bar at Creative Soul sessions might be just the thing to keep them occupied for an hour or two.

 

Now located in Armadale with a bigger space Creative Soul Sessions now offer the usual workshops, kids term program and private art parties but have added a cafe and Art Bar. The Art Bar gives you a bit more flexibility on times and what you create than going to a workshop and also allows you to try new activities without having to buy all the materials and make a mess at home.

 

 

You book a spot at the Art Bar for 90 mins, the deposit of $10 when booking on online is deducted from whatever item you choose to create on the day. There will be a host available who will assist with technique and advice as you go. Bookings are advised but if there is space available, you can just walk in too.

 

 

During the recent holidays, I booked a morning session at the Art Bar for my daughter. When we arrived the bar was set up with an Art Bar menu listing activities available and under each activity what you can create. My daughter had seen the paint pouring bears, and this is what she wanted to start with.

 

 

There are also some food and drink options while you are at the Art Bar but my daughter didn’t want to be distracted with food and drink while painting so I just ordered myself a coffee and cake.

 

 

Once you have placed your activity and food order the host will set you up with the activity and give you instructions. The first step for my daughter was to choose the base colour and paint the bear. Once the bear was painted, the host gave it a quick dry-off before the next step. Having chosen the pouring colours she was shown how to mix the paint colours with the pouring liquid and then the pouring fun begins. Because the bear is shaped, the host did help move the bear around, so it got paint poured all over it. Once she was happy with the covering, the bear was set aside to dry. We had to come back another day to collect him as he was quite wet.

 

 

Meanwhile I was enjoying my coffee and delicious carrot cake and browsing the arts and crafts available for sale.

 

After completing the bear, my daughter wanted to give alcohol inks a try so we placed another activity order. This time she was doing alcohol ink on a square tile. This activity was a bit harder and needed more explanation and help from the host. My daughter had fun trying out the different techniques of blowing and blotting the inks to get various effects.

 

 

Once she had finished with the colours the tile was prepared to be sealed. The tile was ready to take home when finished, its nice to walk out at the end of the session with something.

 

 

There is a good range of activities to choose from depending on your child’s skill and interest. I really liked that my daughter could try a new skill like alcohol ink and get some guidance and tips and I didn’t have to buy lots of supplies to be used once or clean up the mess.

 

We had to wait a few minutes for the sealant to dry on the tile so this gave my daughter time to have a look round the shop area. The other group that was in had taken their snacks and drinks to the seating area and my daughter joined them there until the tile was ready to take home. We had go back a few days later to pick up the dry bear.

 

 

Check the website for Art Bar hours.