Teacher Aides: Super-workmates

I hear a lot of people grumble and bitch

 about the people they work with.

This makes me feel sad for them,

and all the more appreciative of what I have.

There is one person in particular 

who enables my workplace

 to function smoothly and happily.

Maybe you are lucky enough

 to have one of those people in your work place?

 They are always happy.

They will always to do what ever is needed.

They find the time for everyone.

They are supportive.

They are generous and graceful.

My super-workmate and friend

is the art assistant / teacher aide at our college.

She works tirelessly and is always positive.

Teacher aides are the backbone of our schools

and so often unrecognised for their efforts.

I love our chats about creativity, family.. whatever!

Teacher aides are the backbone of our schools

and so often unrecognised for their efforts.

So today I made her a little thank-you gift.

A metrocard wallet with one of her favourite singers-Pink.

Its not much but I hope it gives her a smile.

Here's cheers to 2013 -cherishing this time

Welcome to the New Year!

(even though we are already 8 days into it)

In Australia it is school holidays .

We have been catching up with many family and friends with afternoon barbies and long lunches.

To not be concerned with time and dates

 is indeed a rare treat and to be cherished.

My studio has been neglected,
my sewing machine abandoned,

my creative life paused.

This afternoon, 

I ventured into my studio and

 opened a shoebox.

 I found some bunting I began roughly six months ago.

I think I have forgotten how to stick to a task,

or perhaps I never quite got the hang of it.

 Today I made another 4 triangles

 and so I am a step closer to the end

of this project.

I will finish this bunting before my holidays end,

 but I intend to cherish my

freedom from the clock for as long as possible.

Love Lace Exhibition Review: Powerhouse Sydney

It is the museum aspect of the Powerhouse 

that makes it an attractive destination

 for children and parents alike.

Certainly, the robots, tram rolls

 and eco displays are interesting.

It is the artwork that I found exciting in a recent visit.

The current exhibit is

 Love Lace

(Make Lace not War)

Simply put: It is a sensational investigation

 into the world of positive and negative.

When I first entered the exhibition space there

was an elderly lady tatting away in the traditional way.

You could be fooled at this stage

 that the curator, Lindie Ward, 

had designed a predictable lace display.

Love Lace is anything but.

Optical fibres create this Lace Jellyfish

The definition of lace for this exhibition is rather open to include any ‘openwork structure whose pattern of spaces is as important as the solid areas’.

Jenny Pollak installation

Love Lace is a playful exploration by

 artists and students alike 

and includes a competition also, 

The Powerhouse Museum International Lace Award.

The use of new technology and a mind boggling variety of materials ensures that there is something to inspire

youth and the elderly (and all us in-betweeners)

while strategically placed lighting

brings to life beautiful shadow play.

Chain wire fencing

 

As an art educator, 

I regularly try to impress upon the students

 the equal importance of positive and negative.
I can't recall an exhibition that asserts this concept
 with more clarity.

Traditional notions of lace are relegated to fibre and textile work, a deeply entrenched female domain. 
Through the materials and artists' approach to the theme,
these boundaries and definitions no longer exist.

Screen

My only disappointment is that Sydney is a bit too far to take my students for an excursion.

However, the website is a plentiful source of educational resources for art teachers and class teachers alike.

For educational links click here