A highlight of Ricefield Arts’ Chinese New Year celebrations each year is displaying our own wishing tree in Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. Visitors to our annual activity day write their wishes and tie them to the tree, before enjoying an afternoon of fun games, sports and crafts.

With many restrictions in place over the Spring Festival period, this year we invited you to make your wishes for the Year of the Ox online. We were touched by the warm and thoughtful messages we received, with many wishes asking for good health for family, friends and the wider community. It’s clear that the Covid-19 crisis has altered our priorities, and given us a new appreciation for smaller joys and quality time with loved ones.

Take a look at our virtual wishing tree – the words hanging from it appeared in many of the wishes and represent our collective vision for the year ahead. Below we’ve highlighted some inspiring wishes from members of our community, received between 4th February and 1st March 2021. We sincerely each one comes true, and that we’ll be reunited together in person soon.

Wishes

‘My wish for this year is that we are all able to gather together once again as a whole community and to be able to celebrate the good times ahead.’
Aswad Choudhry, Glasgow

‘Wish all my families good health and happiness in 2021! Hope the pandemic will be over soon!!! 希望作为医护工作者的妈妈可以不用继续那么辛苦，希望爸爸不用凌晨送妈妈去上班，家人健康平安幸福。希望可以早日回国和亲人相聚！’
Rita Chen, Austria

‘Wishing everybody good health, happiness and prosperity! 万事如意! 步步高升!’
Andy L, Glasgow

‘That people will be able to hug friends and family soon’
Ruth F, Glasgow

‘I wish for all my friends & family to overcome any hardships and sadness the past year has brought and for 2021 to be a year where they begin to feel joy again.’
Grace Silvestro, Glasgow

‘May this year have opened our eyes to less craving and attachment, and more understanding of how all of us are linked together.’
Darla Lammers, Arizona

‘For a long life to walk alongside my beautiful daughter.’
Anonymous

 ‘My wish would be for a swift end to Covid and getting to spend time with my mum again.’
Jade Graham, Glasgow

‘I wish to give thank for the many blessings in my life. To wish everyone health, perseverance and a good outcome during the pandemic and beyond. Wishing many more happy times volunteering with my friends at Ricefield. Finally, to get my new teeth in June!’
Kathryn Munro, Glasgow

‘I wish for love & respect for all and people connectivity for next year!!’
Anonymous, Edinburgh

‘Wishing that the year of ox fully loaded with happiness, love, good health and great success.’
Angie S, Glasgow

‘Health for the entire world.’
Juliana Brandes, Los Angeles

‘My wish for this new year is the health & happiness of my family and a special wish for my daughter with her choice of High school. Happy New Year.’
Jill Robertson, Belfast

‘Wishing everyone I know good health and happiness.’
Lily, Glasgow

‘Wishing covid is over soon and everyone has jobs. Wishing my daughter will be healthy minded and my son is able to figure what programs to study for next year. Wishing good health to all my family members.’
Huynh, Ontario

‘Wishing all a great year blessed with abundant happiness, good health, wealth, luck and fortune. 牛年行大运!’
Eilidh Hong, Glasgow

In December 2020, we hosted our very first Express Yourself Art Competition. This was part of our Community Wellbeing & Recovery project, supported by Foundation Scotland.

Open to all participants of our Art for Wellbeing workshops, we wanted to see how you had been inspired to get creative during lockdown (and beyond!). We were truly delighted by the high quality, colourful entries we received. Our judging panel carefully reviewed each artwork, and scored them on creativity, skill and theme. Thank you to our special guest judges Lin Chau, Pui Lee and Fiona Tong for their support.

It’s now time to announce our three lucky winners! Congratulations (in no particular order) to Sintija Plāce, Samantha Ann Robson and Maria Frank. Take a look at their artworks below, and read more about their inspiration.

Sintija Plāce – Self Portrait

‘The submitted work is one of the many that were created during the Blind Drawing/Connecting with Yourself workshop … As I was not glimpsing, nor trying to make my drawing visually direct or pleasant on purpose, I felt as if I did let go of my ‘persona creating self’. … Last portrait was accompanied by colours and shades which represented my mood of that night. … This exercise perfectly shows that the best unintentional results come when we allow our senses and emotions to flow without strain in our minds and no eraser by our side.’

Samantha Ann Robson – Beach Treasures

‘I found both … classes helped me build my confidence in drawing and expressing myself through art, as well as giving me some really helpful tips for improving my drawing. I also found them really calming during this very frightening time, and gave me a sense of being in contact with others. … I chose the beach treasures, including shells and a wooden ice cream spoon for my still life subject, as it expresses how everything really is in the eye of the beholder. … A little wooden ice cream spoon may look like rubbish to or act as a reminder of a blissful day at the beach… It’s all in the perception. ‘

Maria Frank

‘The drawing I submitted includes my real furry family of two cats and one dog enjoying a moonrise. … My subjects include nature, animals, and everyday things in life. … I found these workshops inspiring and they re-energised my desire to create art and to learn more about technique, perspective, materials, etc. … I’ve been yearning to draw and learn how to paint, and the pandemic provided time and opportunity (via online workshops) to do so. … The instructor’s very positive approach to drawing helped me work through self-criticism and encouraged me to stick with my work (i.e. work through seeming “mistakes”) until satisfied with the result. … They have made a huge difference in my life during this difficult time for the world.’

Ricefield was delighted to open our new Chinese Community Library in October 2018. Housed in Baltic Chambers, we hold a diverse collection of Chinese and English language books related to Chinese culture, art, history, philosophy, medicine and much more.

The library is part of our When Red, Go Green project, funded by Climate Challenge Fund. The library offers a space for community workshops and events, as well as promoting a circular economy through the sharing and reusing of resources.

The library room is open weekly on Wednesdays, 12-7pm. It is also the venue for a range of Chinese culture and climate change events and workshops.

The room is also available throughout the year for hire. Located in the city centre, close to transport links and offering competitive rates, it is the ideal locations for meetings, workshops and small events. Find out more here.

You can join for a free as a member at the library or via the When Red, Go Green website. To find out more about the project and the collection visit their dedicated website [no longer active].

We are seeking donations to expand our collection. If you are interested, please contact our When Red, Go Green team to arrange delivery.

Visit When Red Go Green’s new website! [no longer active]

Our When Red, Go Green project is funded through the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund (CCF). The CCF provides funding and support for community groups to help tackle climate change by running projects that reduce local carbon emissions. Ricefield Arts have been awarded £132,708 for this two year project. This project has been supported by Keep Scotland Beautiful and CEMVO Scotland. Find out more at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ccf

Ricefield Art’s When Red, Go Green project aims to increase climate change awareness and encourage sustainable living in our Glasgow community.  We will achieve this through our 3 main sub-projects: Grow & Cook, Pace & Pedal and Reuse & Reduce. The activities programme for the next two years is varied, including the development of our own Chinese book library and community garden, free cycling, sewing and growing workshops, swap shops and climate change conversations.

Interested in reducing your carbon footprint? Visit the site for more about upcoming events, as well as hints and tips on our forum.

Ricefield Arts is happy to have been awarded funding from the Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) for a two year project aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of our community: When Red, Go Green. We will receive  £132,708. More details about this multi-faceted project coming soon.

The Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) is a Scottish Government grant programme, managed and administered by Keep Scotland Beautiful. The CCF provides funding and support for community groups to help tackle climate change by running projects that reduce local carbon emissions. The CCF has awarded 1,097 grants totalling £101 million to 658 communities since its introduction in 2008, for projects involving energy efficiency, sustainable travel, local food and resource efficiency.

Find out more at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ccf

 

 

 

 

Ricefield Arts was delighted to host poet Larry Butler, as part of Voluntary Arts Scotland’s My Time project. You might have spotted him at our events last year, including a special appearance as a Christmas bell in the Glasgow Style Mile Carnival, and a guest at our Tea Ceremony.  Larry also spoke to volunteers, members of the Ricefield team and our founders, to keep a better idea of our work and its impact on the Scottish community.

He has recently completed an original poem all about Ricefield, which we’re excited to share with you. You can also catch Larry reading Poaceae & Chameleon live, including at the Scottish Poetry Library. Visit the Voluntary Arts Scotland site for more info about upcoming events.

This summer Ricefield partnered with SURGE to produce a brand new street theatre performance. Overseasoned was developed from working with Glasgow’s Chinese and multi ethic communities, and used original characters and design. The walkabout piece featured a group of clumsy chefs causing chaos in the streets of Glasgow, and was performed at Glasgow Mela and the Merchant City Festival.

Ricefield volunteer Ulyana was part of the performance team:

‘My experience with street theatre started because of Glasgow Mela 2017. To describe it simply as ‘good’ would not do it justice, every time I tell the story it is a little different. I have been inspired by being part of something so unusual, funny and interesting. Before visiting Glasgow this year I had never taken part in this kind of activity, it was something new to me; a new challenge for myself and my capacities.

During the street theatre performance I got to try a completely new profession, I became a chef. Unfortunately though, not a very good chef. The kind of chef who should probably be in a different kind of job. However, it was really very fun. When you get to ‘try on’ another life or profession, no matter if it’s positive or negative, it’s always exciting. From this new perspective you can see an absolutely different side of yourself.

The most important and memorable part of the street theatre, of course, was the audience. When you can see smiling faces and feel the joy of other people, and know that it is thanks to you, the feeling is priceless. It’s a great feeling to know you can improve someone’s day through your role.

Taking part in this performance has given me really wonderful memories. Having a chance to be an actress, and sample another life, was amazing. I would recommend street theatre to anyone. I have already tried it, now, what about you?’.

Ricefield Arts is now holding Chinese craft fairs, bringing Chinese arts and culture to local communities around Scotland. At these events, you’ll have the chance to purchase a range of traditional Chinese items, as well as authentic snacks. We also exhibit artworks by local artists inspired by Chinese art practice. On top of that, you’ll have a chance to watch East Asian crafts in action, including calligraphy, origami or kite making. You might even catch a Chinese music performance!

Below is a selection of photos from our craft fair at in collaboration with Gilded Lily in Govan. Check back on our events page, or on our Facebook for more information about upcoming fairs.

 

VAF Project – A New Initiative for Ricefield Arts & Cultural Centre

Ricefield has developed a plan for 2015 and early 2016 which involves diversification and development of the services we provide. We have been conducting extensive research into the changing needs of the Chinese community in Glasgow and have decided to focus on the following areas: Volunteering, Older people, and Welfare & Benefits Advice

Our research has highlighted that these are areas where few Chinese people are accessing mainstream services but where there is growing need. Our initial project will involve the recruitment and training of volunteers particularly from within the Chinese community who fall within these demographics or who display an interest or experience of working with these client groups. The volunteers will initially support the research and development of  two particular area:

1. Senior Social Activities Club
2. Welfare and Benefit Advice within Community

 The volunteers will form part of a research and development team under each project area and will receive an induction, governance training, learn about project development and how to conduct community research/consultation into their chosen area of focus. Volunteers will develop the services supported by our Volunteer Project Coordinator with the clear aim that they will take ownership of their chosen project area (either older people’s services or Welfare and Benefit Advice) long term using Ricefield’s resources and connections.

The project will look to involve young people 16-25 as well as older people up to 65 in this project to enhance and improve intergenerational relationships. The young people can help in either project and will be supported to work towards ‘Saltire Awards’ and enhancing their CVs.

The recruitment of  volunteers in the VAF Project is ongoing and will carry on to service for those in need to beat isolation within our community. We are now recruiting:

• Senior Social Activities Coordinators – To create, plan and organise activities such as Chinese and Asian Arts, Music, Calligraphy, Plant seedlings, incorporate with Ricefield Workshops to run the once fortnightly sessions within the local Chinese Elderly Centres and other Community Groups in Garnethill and North of Glasgow area.
• Event and Community Coordinators – To help with planning, setting up of Events, liaise with participant groups, communication and public relations work.
• Researchers on Welfare and Benefits Advice– To assist and develop the work of liaison in between clients / users with Welfare Benefit Advisers from public sectors, such as NHS, Citizen Advice, DWP, Job Centres, Referrals, etc. based on one to one sessions.

Please sign up on the Volunteer page or e-mail info@ricefield.org.uk and state the particular roles from the above you are interested in. Thank you for volunteering with this diverse and meaningful project to help beat isolation within our older community members.