Ara libraries have many e-books, and physical books on art. Some Ara art students often browse the art collection by sitting down in the book aisles and flicking through selected books individually. Some of the books are enormous, so its understandable why they would not want to check them out and take them home.
I found this short Tate video on how an artist (Rachel Jones) works in her craft. It is delightful to watch as British primary school children are asking Rachel lots of interesting questions about making art.
Blog contributed by Cinnie Sheh, Library Assistant
Have you ever heard yourself saying “Nah…I’m no artist. I can’t draw”?
Do you envy others’ ability to create clever artworks on social media, while lamenting the fact that you can never do the same?
That’s what my elder brother had always been thinking when I taught him Pastel Nagomi Art for the first time. My brother who “monsterises” everything he draws, who always used to fail his art exams…however by the end of the lesson I saw a big smile on his face, chewing on the news that he has made a piece of adorable artwork!
Twenty years ago on a cold winter day, Mr. Hosoya wanted to bring something to cheer up his wife in hospital in Japan. He didn’t want to buy flowers that withered fast. He didn’t want to make origami cranes which were very common in Japan. He was no artist, but he decided to make some artworks for his dear wife, making do with some pastel powders and a unique tool — his fingertips!
Mr Hosoya thenceforth founded the Pastel Nagomi Art, an incredibly easy form of art with magical healing effect. All you need are pastels, sketch paper, cutter, tape, eraser, and/or occasion everyday items like cotton buds and combs depending on the affects you need. Then, carefully peel some pastel powder on the sketch paper, and simply use your fingertips to rub it – colour filling the paper/ creating a shape. Since you’re using your fingertips, which are easier to control than any other tools, anyone from child to elderly can complete a piece of artwork within 20 minutes at ease!
“Nagomi” means “peace” in Japanese. The art is so simple that you can enjoy it and gain inner peace once you put your hands on it. If you’re staying indoors on cold days, put down all your worries and try creating your first Pastel Nagomi Art masterpiece!
Blog contributed by Linda Hepburn, Learning and Disability Advisor
Originally observed to mark the Gallipoli landings, ANZAC Day has been a focal point for remembrance since its inception in 1916. A public holiday means communities can take the time to stop and reflect on the sacrifice of generations of armed forces personnel who have served their country.
Check out the links for events and services being held in Oamaru, Timaru, Ashburton and Christchurch. They’re a great chance to learn more about some of the conflicts that have involved New Zealanders.
One familiar part of any ANZAC ceremony is The Ode – part of a Laurence Binyon poem called “For the Fallen”. Click on the link to see both the Te Reo and English versions, plus a version for the 28th Māori Battalion and special preludes for the Merchant Navy.
To listen to the ode in both Te Reo and English and hear the haunting Last Post, check out the above link from Brass Whanganui.
Please remember that all Ara campuses will be closed on Thursday for Anzac Day.
The City Campus Library will be closed from 4pm this Thursday 28th of March and will reopen at 8am Wednesday 3rd of April.
Please note that the POD will also be closed during this time, along with all of Ara City Campus due to a power outage across the Campus this long weekend.
Manawa Library will be unattended from 4pm Thursday 28th of March until Monday 8.30am 8th April due to the Easter break and staff shortage.
Timaru Library will be closed for the Easter break.
We hope you have an enjoyable long weekend and look forward to seeing you soon.
Christchurch Pride is well underway – you might have caught the Rainbow Wrap-Up in the City Campus Student Lounge, and there are still more Ara events to come!
In the Library we’re celebrating with craft:
Badge Making for Trans Day of Visibility and Pride
We’ll have a crafting station set up for you to make your own pronoun badge, flag badge, or rainbow badge of your dreams. Join LGBTQIA+ folks and allies from across Ara for some chilled crafting, and badge to take away in the mix. Everyone welcome.
Wednesday 27th March, 12pm-1pm City Campus Library AND Timaru Campus Library
And the Paxus house team are welcoming our community for a Rainbow friendly day:
Paxus House Pride Day
Get your Pride vibe on with free hair and beauty treatments for the Rainbow community, provided by Ara’s trainee barbers, stylists and beauty therapists at our central city salon!
Thursday 28 March, 10am-3pm
Paxus House, 144 High Street, Ōtautahi
(due to roadworks, please use Tuam Street entrance)
At Ara there are 476 leaners who identify as having a Specific Learning Disability. People with SLD may struggle with listening, thinking, speaking, reading, hand-writing, written language, spelling and/or maths. Dyslexia is the most commonly known SLD but there are others that significantly interfere with a person’s capacity to learn such as dyspraxia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia.
Contributed by Rose Edgar, Senior Disability Advisor
What is neurodiversity you ask? Well, it is recognising that some brains work differently than others.
Neurodiversity is a broad term used to describe different thinking styles such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and Autism. Around 15-20% of people will have a neurological difference or be neurodiverse and that’s just the ones we know about!
However, that does not mean that those who are neurodiverse think the same. Each individual will have their own strengths and weaknesses, although they may be similar to others.
If everyone was the same, the world would be boring right?
Sadly, neurodiversity has been misunderstood or judged for a long time. Those who are neurodiverse have often had negative experiences at school, in study, and in jobs. When the world is designed for one way of thinking, it can be hard when your brain works differently.
So this is why we celebrate neurodiversity, because different brains, bring different ideas and perspectives. Some of the world’s most creative and innovative people are neurodiverse!
Have you used X (twitter) lately, seen Tesla’s driving around or noticed that strange line of lights in the sky? That’s all thanks to neurodiverse entrepreneur Elon Musk. He also happens to be the second richest man in the world! His autistic mind has allowed him to approach problems from different angles, and to create and develop innovative solutions never seen before.
Did you see the Barbie movie? Ken actor Ryan Gosling is neurodiverse, diagnosed with ADHD. Now recognised everywhere, once had no friends and was bullied due to his ADHD.
Neurodiversity can allow people to thrive in jobs where out-of-the-box thinking, problem-solving and thinking on your feet is needed. Think nurses, engineers, architects, midwives, the list goes on.
Chances are you know someone who is neurodiverse, or maybe you are yourself. Let’s celebrate our differences and unique ways of thinking.
A great way to do this is to come to our Neurospicy Party on Friday 22nd March 12pm in the library! Food, fun and goodie bags! See you there!
Rug up Autumn has arrived. I know this, my head is suddenly cold. Don’t think about winter coming, just enjoy autumn. A great thing to do is to visit the Christchurch Botanic Gardens in Hagley Park, in the middle of the city. There you can splosh about in the fallen leaves, hang in the glasshouses or take a free ride on the adorable Peace Train. https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/all-aboard-the-peace-train
The Peace Train is free, but only open on Sundays from September to April, between 10am and 1pm.
Share a written greeting or phrase in your mother language on our board.
Put a pin in our world map indicating your country of origin.
Take a photo or video of yourself saying a greeting in your mother tongue and share it on our Library Facebook page
Please send your images or video contributions directly to Ara Library Facebook Messenger with the hashtag: #motherlanguagesday# IMLD2024 #motherlanguage
The theme for International Mother Language Day this year is multilingual education: a pillar of learning and intergenerational learning.
International Mother Language Day has been observed every year since February 2000. The United Nations, by establishing International Mother Language Day, wishes to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. “Globally 40 per cent of the population does not have access to an education in a language they speak or understand. Nevertheless, progress is being made in multilingual education with growing understanding of its importance, particularly in early schooling, and more commitment to its development in public life” – International Mother Language Day | UNESCO
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