Getting creative this January during level 5
AS we remain in level 5 lockdown for the foreseeable future at this key time at the start of a new year, it’s true that our new year’s resolutions might look a bit different this year.
But at whatever time of the year, new hobbies and activities to prevent boredom for all the family are available at our fingertips to bring us joy. In this two part series, some Wexford experts provide advice on activities to engage with during lockdown.
This week we speak to Gorey Library librarians Dearbhla Ní Laighin and Fiona Wadding, artist Sara Redmond of Different Strokes as well as celebrity chef Edward Hayden as they discuss the benefits of reading, art and baking.
READING – a positive and productive lockdown activity with Gorey Library
Although library staff Dearbhla Ní Laighin, Fiona Wadding and their team are working remotely, their passion for reading exists wherever they are.
They explained that picking up a book during this lockdown can go a long way to relax the mind.
‘We are now in another lockdown but this time the dark evenings are still upon us, and so a good book is a great way to escape. If you haven’t tried reading for a while, now is your chance to take it up again for free with Gorey library.
‘Reading is an excellent way to relax, escape, boost creative well being or learn something new. Discover lots of rewarding reads through your library, with books of fact or fiction for all ages and tastes in a variety of formats. Anyone who is not already a library member may join the library online at www.wexfordcoco.ie/ libraries/join-the-library.
‘Gorey Library is closed while level 5 restrictions are in place, but library members can read eBooks and listen to e-audiobooks using the BorrowBox app and enjoy magazines, newspapers, comics and graphic novels with the RB Digital app. There is also an online Book Club which runs on Facebook through Wexford Libraries, with monthly meetings to get together online with other readers to share your reading pleasure.
As well as this, library staff are connecting with readers daily on Facebook and Twitter (@wexlibraries), encouraging readers to get creative, #StartANewStory and have fun coming up with “Flash Fiction” stories using four titles of Irish books.
Gorey Library staff provides online Toddler Story Time and Baby Rhyme Time on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m., and children’s Crafternoons on Mondays via the Gorey Library Facebook page, as well as lots of suggestions for good reads for everyone.
Local schools are encouraged to contact the library by phone 053 9483820 or e-mail goreylib@wexfordcoco.ie with requests for classroom novels block loans and project boxes.
Those who are elderly, vulnerable or cocooning are invited to call Gorey library at 053 9483820 Monday to Friday 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. as all lines are open, to request books to be delivered to your door.
If you are not familiar with technology and would like some assistance with using any of our online resources, please feel free to phone the library on 053 9483820 and staff would be happy to help.
Full details of all library services are on www.wexfordcoco.ie/libraries and across social media.
To join more than 200 members of the online book club, search ‘Wexford Libraries’ Online Book Club’ on Facebook.
ART – Getting the creative juices flowing this new year
Sara Redmond of Different Strokes Art Shop, Gorey borrows the quote from Picasso “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life” to explain her passion for creativity, something that is truly alive and well in Wexford.
‘ There is an assumption that to make art you have to be able to produce recognisable images or have studied art in school and we need to forget that,’ she said.
‘Anybody can paint and the essentials don’t cost a fortune. I find painting is a great way of letting go. Acrylic paint is the easiest medium to start with, as it can be applied to pretty much any surface including canvas, wood, fabric, paper, and stone.
‘Don’t waste time thinking about what to paint, initially just enjoy playing with colour, movement and shapes. Once you have begun, your creative instincts will tell you where to go.
Wassily Kandinsky believed that colours have an inherent personality, so use colours that make you feel happy and safe like blues, oranges and pinks. Get the whole family involved and aim to have an exhibition in your living room.
Keeping a diary is proven to help your mental health, so why not go a step further and keep a visual diary. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just an A5 or A6 blank sketchbook, a 2B pencil, markers and colouring pencils. Take it with you on walks and be inspired by the world around you.
Self isolating at home? Sketch the cat taking a
nap, your partner watching TV or the colourful patterns on your carpet. Occasional moments of brilliance can happen in the sketch book like an idea for a painting or what colour paint you will use on the bedroom wall’.
Please feel free to get in touch with the shop on St Michael’s Road in Gorey via social media, email or phone.
Don’t forget you can still shop supplies at home by visiting www.ds-art.ie to arrange click and deliver.
HOME BAKING – There is a lot more to do in the kitchen than just make banana bread
Celebrity chef Edward Hayden knows his way around the kitchen, but he has noticed that trying new cooking and baking techniques in lockdown all comes down to time and commitment, and is a great cure for boredom. For beginners, he explained that it is something the whole family can enjoy.
‘My suggestion would be to engage with it, there’s a wonderful opportunity for people to make sure it has a positive affect as one thing I have noticed is that baking does wonderful things for your confidence.
‘For example you take five staple ingredients: eggs, butter, sugar, flour and milk - give it a bit of time and effort and love, you’ll end up with some really beautiful scones, muffins or cakes and it gives you that sense of achievement and satisfaction. For people whose job isn’t a culinary discipline, it’s just a complete polar disconnect and a recreation as it’s a way to immerse yourself in something that needs all of your time and concentration in the creative process.
‘Being able to create food yourself is one of your basic physiological needs, and to be part of that formation is wonderful and after the work is done, you’ve the satisfaction then of eating it, to feed yourself and your family.
‘It’s something all the family can do and children really love being part of it. I don’t have children myself but I can see that they love to explore and be creative but it’s about teaching them too. They learn about measurements and maths, focus and accuracy and following instructions.
‘If children are invested in the process, it’ll stand to them and I’ve noticed this when I work with third level students, these skills that are learned in the formative years remain with you and they’re life skills.
‘My suggestion to anyone starting out would be to shake off the quest for perfection. Culinary is the universal vernacular and everybody can be a chef, all you have to do is invest time’.
Throughout the lockdowns, Edward has been sharing online cooking demonstrations and these can be viewed online. Just search ‘Chef Edward Hayden’ on social media or visit www.edwardhayden.