WORKSHOPS
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Warriors Art Workshop 2023
Gurdwara Sahib Northampton and Sikh Community Centre held an amazing Sikhi Camp for the sangat and children of Northampton. We came together to improve the childrens understanding of Sikhi and boost their self-empowerment skills and connection.
A Joyti Kaur Expedition Stall was available on the day as well as merchandise available.
Joyti Kaur held a workshop: WARRIORS, which covered self-identity, anti-bullying, and ways we can come together as a community to support the child.
Did you know Sikh children can suffer from bullying due various factors stemming from their religious and spiritual beliefs, the main factors can be:
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Appearance, skin colour, kes (long uncut hair)
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background, child’s family members appearance and religious beliefs
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their name
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their wishes to be a positive and helpful person
As well as this, teachers are often described as ignoring the bullying. When family members become involved, the children feel there is not an appropriate response from the educational providers, an hours detention for example. Lets come together to think of ways we can education those who are there to safeguard children, to educate and empower the child and to educate children and young people overall on the importance of beliefs in Sikhi
The aims of the workshop were:
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To strengthen self-identity
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To understand the relevance and importance of Sikhi presence and history
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To explore creativity, art and link to lifestyle
Children (aged 10 – 17) were guided to understand their name, pronunciation, their meaning, how they got their name as well as the importance and meaning of the Sikh ceremony of Naam Karan.
Children reflected on the bad experiences and negative comments as well as the positive. Building on a healthier and wider picture of being proud of their history, present and future. This workshop was a way for children to be able to understand how to refute illogical statements regarding their Sikhi, background and appearance.
The first half of the workshop focused on self-identity and the second discussing the resources guru ji has given to Sikhs as well as how Guru ji is the ultimate artist and the reasons why. We explored how creativity and being reflective supports us in a healthy lifestyle and how Sikhi supports us in this empowerment and creative freedom.
We used the therapeutic scratch art method to understand the way we use a Kirpan, such as after humbly reciting an ardaas and blessing langar, as well as how a kirpan is protection not only externally but internally.
A second workshop was provided was children aged 3 – 9 where children also explored images of guru Ji’s creatively formed Shastar and the importance behind this. Children created their own shastar art and considered what is great about themselves
See more here
Cookham, Workshop and Expedition Stall
A Joyti Kaur Expedition stall was held exploring the circle of life and the need to understand all creatures of the earth. Science started with artists, so let us explore our connection with an artist
Joyti Kaur art featured:
Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji
Amazon
The Earth
Crow Love song?
This workshop discussed the spiritual nature, power and observations of art. As well as the need for compassion and consideration. Together we explored the freedom and discovery art makes, revealing the colours of the Earth using basic scratch art methods. A free workshop for all ages discussing, debating and exploring the importance of commonly sighted as well as near extinct animals, the importance of health in creating a more balanced environment,
A mixed age group, from 5 to 60 years attended
A fantastic day of learning, sharing and coming together as a community to grow with each other
Art opens up discussions about greatness:
Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji
The plants share the same sunlight that we require to survive. We all blossom and in turn must develop a friendship with nature. When Guru Har Rai Ji’s cloak had become stuck onto the flowers of his beautiful garden, the petals had become torn. Guru Ji discussed that hurting the heart of the earth is to hurt yourself. Guru Har Rai Ji is the one able to merge with nature and create a cycle of spirituality for those of pure heart.
This creation shows us the story of the greatest. Some may respect and recognise, others may feel empowered… Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji, one who showed the power of respecting the most delicate of flowers.
Learn more about Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji
https://www.youtube.com/live/2lHbo6dFhkw?feature=share
https://www.youtube.com/live/2lHbo6dFhkw?feature=share
Amazon
The amazon is very wonderful, the untouched nature, the origin of water on this planet. The complex yet simple ecosystem is the most beautiful. All cures can be found here. Gold sparkle, vibrant splashes of colours. I am nature.
How can we support places like the Amazon, lets action!
The blue winged bird
Connected to all, the window to the worlds. Linked to all from the smallest yet strongest creatures to the spiritual elephant form of “Prasadi” to the branches of the whispering leaves of goodness to the traveling snake. The love of all, within, without, immersed – Ekta (oneness).
We discussed who Prasadi was and their connection with Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Joyti Kaur Art Expedition Stall held at Tesco, Slough
5th August 2023 10AM- 2PM
With Panjabi Heritage Workshop
This isn't just an ordinary shopping trip, it was a day of art, a creative chat and the community getting together to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month. We learnt about the animals, tools and culture of Panjab with the community taking away materials to learn about scratch art
Tesco staff celebrated the culture by wearing their traditional South Asian clothing
See more images here
Sikh heritage workshop
Tarn Taran Darshan Deori, Guru Ghar Baba Atal Rai, Chamkaur di Garhi, Bibi Nanaki Ji's home, Anandpur Sahib, Choha Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurdwara Sahib amongst countless other sacred places/ Gurdwareh required preservation. The importance of originality should be appreciated and the impact of visualisation and history is vital
This workshop explores the skill, passion and creativity required to create and celebrate the meaning of individual guru ghar and historical places.
We explored the method of Mohra kashi art and its similarity with Scratch art, the possible solutions to erosion of Sikh historical places and buildings. Attendees created scratch art based on a presentation of Sikh public art enshrined within sacred places
See more here
Build a Mini Home - 2023
Child & parent workshop with Slough Anti Litter Society at Queensmere Shopping Centre
Our children took part in this community event held in Queensmere shopping centre in association with Slough Anti Litter society.
This was an amazing day with smiles and positive feedback. Children and parents learnt to plant, nurture nature and grow with happiness. They also learnt to paint and reuse what they have at home, such as cereal boxes, berries and mushroom packaging to create what they feel a happy home looks like
Put together they made something that builds onto skills for a lifetime and took inspirational steps to make a healthy, happy garden and home. Children explored the importance of upcycling and looking after our home Earth.
See pictures from the community event on the community page