Whereas art and design are usually only visible once they’re finished, Light on Labs turns that on its head: here, you get to see the moment when things could still go wrong. From April 8 through 11, 2026, the four creative hubs in Den Bosch—Cor Unum, Glaslab Den Bosch, Grafisch Atelier Den Bosch, and Spark Lab—will open their doors for a unique glimpse into the creative process, including experimentation, doubt, and failure.
From Wednesday through Friday, the focus will be on in-depth exploration, with a program for creators and professionals featuring workshops, presentations, and artist talks. On Saturday, April 11 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.), there will be a public day featuring two guided tours (by bike) of all the labs, during which visitors can move from workshop to workshop and experience the experiments up close.
Groundbreaking experiments
The exhibition features five artists: Bas Kosters, Fang Mij, Justin Reinir Croes, Ster Borgman, and Willem Zwiers. During an experimental residency, they explore the boundaries between ceramics, glass, technology, and printmaking. For example, Justin Reinir Croes uses lasers and printing techniques to reinterpret ancient rock art from Aruba into new forms. Fang Mij uses her own body as inspiration and creates prints on ceramics and textiles. Ster Borgman is developing an installation in which light, glass, and movement almost come to life. Bas Kosters has chosen to create an installation featuring understated self-portraits on ceramics and textiles. And Willem Zwiers is exploring how glass and ceramics fuse to form playful wall objects. During artist talks, the creators share their journey: what didn’t work, what surprised them, and what emerged by accident.
From 3D printing to ceramics: get started yourself
Light on Labs isn’t just about watching—it’s mainly about doing. The program offers a wide range of workshops and masterclasses, ranging from traditional crafts to high-tech techniques. For example, participants can print their first object during a 3D printing workshop, experiment with crossovers in the screen printing on ceramics course, and create their own tableware in the “casting and decorating” workshop.
Maker spaces as drivers of innovation
Light on Labs highlights the importance of physical maker spaces as a breeding ground for innovation, collaboration, and talent development. Here, disciplines converge, knowledge is shared, and new forms of art and design emerge. Not behind closed doors, but visible to anyone who wants to see how something is made.
The Light on Labs program (with the exception of workshops, masterclasses, and a few artist talks) is free to attend. The route and the full program can be viewed at lightonlabs.nl
Photography: Marcel de Buck
