Recently I regersitered the academic support tutorial with Ilga Leimanis. She is an artist, educator, author and researcher. She has facilitated workshops in sketching and idea generation. Therefore I think she can gave me relevant suggestions on my project.
I introduced Ilga with my interventions and she mentioned a project called Black Girl Knit Club. It’s a project run by two people, they are doing knitting circles, which is similar to the sketching circles in my intervention. The two people meet on a regular basis in different locations. They share their conversations and stories while they’re knitting and people can come to their space. I think there’s something I can learn from it because this project offered the participants the opportunity to have face to face connection.
She said that my project consistently builds on acquired knowledge, adapting, changing, and testing information. She also suggested that I can visualize my project, especially regarding focus groups, habit-building, and podcast connections, which can provide new insights. Treating the project as a puzzle, using shapes or diagrams, can offer a holistic view, helping identify areas for improvement. This advice will significantly enhance my presentation.
I also asked Ilga about the concern of lack of face-to-face mentorship in my project. She suggests that creating a community within the project is a great idea and I could explore the concept of mentorship. Encouraging dialogue within the community about mentorship criteria and who can be a mentor would enrich the project. She also drew inspiration from models like sororities, which foster multi-generational connections. She said that, while recognizing potential concerns, the concept of mentorship benefiting both parties is highlighted. Overall, her emphasis is on fostering a supportive community with mutual benefits.
Ilga’s feedback was truly insightful, providing me with diverse perspectives. Following her suggestions, I will continue testing and evolving my ongoing interventions.