Innovative idea for learning

Islamabad

The Floral Art Society (FAS) Islamabad-Rawalpindi chapter held a competition for its programme for the month of April. The title of the competition was ‘Innovative Approach’ and required participants to create an exhibit using latest techniques of ‘twisting and twining’ and ‘folding and attaching.’ The participants had been divided into two sections – novices and seniors.

After two hours of hectic activity to get their exhibits ready in time, the participants and other members were given the opportunity to judge each other’s work – an innovation in itself!. They were divided into groups of two or three and given three exhibits to judge - to add to the excitement the wife of the ambassador of Japan, Reiko Kurai and wife of the High Commissioner of India, Amita Bambawale were also paired as a team - after which they were asked to explain how and why they had made their choice. They must have found it difficult because not only was it their first time but also because they were judging their peers and some of the arrangements were really good.

When this part was over, two doyens of the club who are seasoned judges – Farhana Azim and Aisha Zahid - critiqued their judging and eventually picked a first, second and third prize winner from each section. On an aside, Farhana pointed out the manner in which Rieko Kurai had analyzed how she and her partner had judged the exhibits given to them, with attention to detail and relevance to the theme.

The prize winners were seniors: Asma Ansai, Farzana Ansari and Hina Kamran. Novices - Arshee Javaid, Alina Abbas and Shaida Gandapur.

During the critique there was a lot of interest shown by the members on how their two senior colleagues judged the exhibits and explained how the arrangements could be improved by adding or subtracting material; getting the proportions right and blending the colours harmoniously. “I would never like to be a judge said a member, “it’s too difficult to choose.”  Bur all of them admitted they had learnt a lot and it was a good idea to give them the opportunity to do so.

Before refreshments were served, minutes of the last meeting were read; prizes awarded to the winners; tokens of appreciation given to the main judges and ‘happy birthday’ sung for the members who have their birthday in April.