Grow Your Own Creativity Free Family Friendly Arts and Crafts Activities


 Crystal Palace Paper Sculpture Celebrates Nature and Engineering at Darlington Central Library Local Studies Centre and the Hive

Paper collage detail shot of the Crystal Palace model
Cabinet of Curiosity Studio’s miniature pop-up exhibition celebrates the ingenuity of Darlington engineers and cultural connections with green spaces and horticulture. The exhibition showcases some of the work of Richardson and Ross, Darlington designers of glass green houses. Catalogues and drawings from the local studies centre archives are on display alongside a fantastical architectural paper collage that tells the story of the Crystal Palace. This significant architectural landmark was visited by Richardson and Ross and influenced the future direction of the Darlington duos architectural garden designs using engineering inspired by and for nature.
Paper model of the Crystal Palace
There is also the opportunity for you to get involved and make your own paper Crystal Palace at home using our paper toy construction model available for free in the Hive and the Local Studies Centre in Darlington Library.
Flat paper model of the Crystal Palace with red text


This project is part of Grow Your Own Creativity a participatory arts project that explores creative responses to sustainability and the environment whilst celebrating Darlington's green spaces.

Funding for this project has been provided by Arts Council England and Creative Darlington.