NEWS
Volunteer Thank You
Welcome to the new edition of the Ashburton Art Gallery blog.
This is an excellent time to introduce the concept of interactive blogging – mostly as made up by me during this present second! If you have been thinking about the work that is done at the Gallery, or the works that you have seen at the Gallery, or even a short discussion on works that you have seen at other galleries – anywhere- please let us know. It would be great to include an ongoing conversation between the watchers, the artists – and art news generally from anywhere. If you’re like us here at the Gallery, you are interested in other opinions and ideas – and also to find out where interesting things are happening. Elsewhere as well as here!
On November 28th, the Gallery staff organised a celebration for their splendid crew of volunteers to thank them all for their invaluable work in supporting our Gallery. Our president, Derek Binnie, made a warm and welcoming introduction to the twenty-plus gathering, emphasising the fact that the Gallery staff were buoyed and supported by the unfailing enthusiasm of the volunteers.
The guest speaker, Kate White, introduced the concept of Time-Banking to us all. The Gallery has recently embarked on a relationship with this organisation, which was officially launched in Ashburton on the 5th of October 2017. The Timebank concept involves trading skills within a time currency framework – which is ideal for the Gallery with its staunch group of volunteers. For instance, an AAG volunteer could swap their –say-two hours a week with learning how to…crochet, knit, woodwork, pavlova-making, speaking French…for a reciprocal two hours learning from someone who is well-versed in their chosen process. For further information, visit their site: www.mctimebank.nz
Following this, the talk became conversation as we settled to a wee glass of something, a nibble or two – and a creative task to play with. Decorating mugs – badly drawn dog and passable nikau palm for me –to take home to bake, and think about in terms of Christmas presents; also making Christmas decorations – and a Jub Jub favourite: making kaleidoscopes. Simone was in fine fettle, but thought that we were slightly less well-behaved than her Jub Jubs!
I look forward to hearing from you, and please remember that any suggestions and ideas are welcome.
Cheers, Jac