The Learning Zone

Last month, grOCAD held a plant propagation workshop in the Learning Zone with Learning Zone Librarian Marta Chudolinska. Marta shared her experience and expertise in a hands-on demonstration of propagating new plants from one plant.

The basic principles of plant propagation were covered, sharing various methods; cuttings, layering and division.

Photo by Olivia Grossi

Everyone had an awesome time getting their hands dirty; propagating aloe vera, jade plant leaves, Christmas cactus, plus golden pothos, snake plants and spider plants from grOCAD’s Windowfarm.

We’ll keep you updated on the progress of our new baby plants, and what we’ve learned from the experience.

Photo by Aruvi Rajassingham

Here are some easy steps to follow to propagate snake plant leaf cutting:

1. Use a sharp, clean utility knife or pair of scissors to remove an entire snake plant leaf
2. Cut into sections 2 – 4 inches long. Keep track of the top and bottom of the leaves. Leaves will not root if planted upside down
3. Let the cuttings callus over for a day or two
4. Place the bottom of the plant into well draining potting soil mix, not to deep
5. Keep soil moist, not soggy
6. Do not place leaf in direct sunlight. Keep warm and in brightly lit area

Want to get involved with grOCAD? Visit grOCAD Public Group Facebook!

grOCAD is a group of students, faculty, and staff who are working together to integrate plant life to our everyday experience by cultivating areas in and around OCAD U’s campus. grOCAD’s aim is to increase healthy food accessibility, encourage discourse about how plants improve quality of life and heighten awareness.

The Learning Zone introduced another way to access the ReUse Depot—Self-Serve!

On September 30^th an extension of the ReUse service was launched, keeping Re-using, Re-claiming, Re-purposing and Re-cycling art & design materials in it’s name, but now allowing you to help yourself.

The Self-serve ReUse Depot offers an ever-changing assortment of art materials—watercolours, pastels, inks, textiles, based on availability. We also maintain a large collection of papers, matt boards and spray paints in our office, please ask staff for assistance.

The ReUse Depot is supported by generous donations from members of the OCAD University community, like you. So, whenever you have left-over art and design supplies, give it another chance of life—donate it to the Learning Zone’s ReUse Depot.

Donate to the ReUse Depot and share in a sustainable future!

The Learning Zone invites you to join us February 3^rd to celebrate our 5^th Anniversary with the exciting launch of the ReUse Depot, a new permanent art and design material swap space.

One artist’s trash is another designer’s treasure has been the guiding foundation behind a series of successful events held at OCAD U over the past several years—Materials Trading Post, the Green Exchange and OCAD U Recycles.

The ReUse Depot is an important and great opportunity for artists and designers to up-cycle, re-purpose or reuse materials that can inspire, explore creativity, or reduce students financial burden while redirecting the material from landfill. It’s a location for donating used but usable art & design materials and/or finding used items that will be useful to your creative practice.

ReUse Depot is a collaborative partnership between these departments: the Indigenous Visual Culture program (INVC), the Library’s Learning Zone, the Office for Diversity, Equity & Sustainability (ODESI), Facilities Planning & Management and Student Management. The development of this project is also supported by the First Generations program, IT Services & AV Loans.

OCAD U Library’s Learning Zone is a studio-base library space that provides an experimental and collaborative workspace to members of the OCAD U community. In 5 years the Learning Zone has grown, and will continue to grow as a collaborative environment. Check out our gallery below as we share some of the highlights from past events with faculty, students and members of Toronto arts community.

Celebrate with us on Tuesday February 3rd—with fresh cooked and healthy treats from the Student Union’s Hot Lunch program, treats from the Student Union’s cafe and LZ birthday cake!

Learn more about the LZ  ReUse Depot and other recycling programs across the campus during Green Winter event, a month of sustainable programming organized by the Student Union. http://bit.ly/1K04RXZ

Join us October 22nd and 23rd for OCADU Recycles, in association with Waste Reduction Week of Canada.  This event will be held in Butterfield Park—rain or shine! OCADU Recycles is a collaboration  of OCADU Library’s Learning Zone, the Indigenous Visual Culture Program, Facilities, Planning & Maintenance and Office of Diversity, Equity and Sustainability Initiatives (ODESI).

Be a part of OCADU’s ongoing sustainability initiatives—trade in your old art and design supplies. Find something new for your next art project or share ideas, knowledge, and discover new materials to feed your imagination. Exchange or recycle outdated technology that can be re-purposed into art, or managed for safe disposal. The range of materials at this year’s OCADU Recycle event have been expanded to include previously used OCAD U furniture.

Excited to get involved? Students, faculty and staff are all welcome to donate, recycle, upcycle and repurpose any leftover or underused art materials and electronics.

Donations can be brought directly to Butterfield Park during the event or to the Learning Zone prior to the event dates. Examples of acceptable items are: computers, hard drives, cell phones, printer cartridges, household batteries, paint brushes, magazines, fabrics.

Please remember to erase all data from electronics before dropping off these items. We cannot accept kitchen electronics or electronics that came in contact with water or encased in wood. 

To learn more about acceptable and non-acceptable items to donate or recycle at this event, please read Greentec Think Recycle. Non-acceptable items will be turned over for responsible recycling by professionals GreenTec, Think Recycle, RPR Environmental and Green For Life.

All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate even without bringing or offering items for the event: it’s a great opportunity to learn about other OCAD U sustainability initiatives, and resources related to disposal and reduction practices.

Check out the image link below to find artwork using recycled materials and discarded electronics:

hongkiat.com

Michel de Broin

Join us at the Learning Zone Monday October 6th, 11 – 1:30 pm for Our Food Systems—Are You Hungry for Change? Presenting a film screening of NFB’s  Island Green, documentary about Prince Edward Island’s agricultural industry and organic farming by Millefior Clarkes featuring the poem Feed the Soil by P.E.I. singer, songwriter, poet Tanya Davis along with a Livestream panel discussion with environmental activist David Suzuki, The 100-Mile Diet co-author J.B. MacKinnon and food justice expert Utcha Sawyers.

David Suzuki Foundation’s, thebluedot tour is a country wide movement where communities, neighbours and provinces come together to stand up for the right to access clean water, fresh air and healthy food—the Office of Diversity, Equity and Sustainability Initiatives (ODESI) in collaboration with Faculty, The Learning Zone, Student Union and grOCAD are proud to stand with the bluedot tour.

The bluedot tour presentations is jointly hosted by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) and Humber College.

Presentation starts at 11:00 am with introductions by Roberto Chiotti, Sustainability Officer, Faculty of Design and Minesh Mandoda, Coordinator, Sustainability Initiatives.

11:15 am – Film Screening of NFB’s Island Green

12:00 pm – Panel Discussion (livestream) featuring David Suzuki, J.B. MacKinnon, Utcha Sawyers

OCAD U’s Student Union’s Hot Lunch Initiative will be providing free food. Food donations will be accepted by the OCAD SU Starving Artist Pantry.

All are welcome.