At the North-West University (NWU), the Library and Information Service team recently took a break from books and databases to enjoy something a little more personal and playful — a series of sip-and-sketch sessions that brought together creativity and conversation.
Hosted on each of the NWU’s three campuses, the sessions started in Potchefstroom, moved on to Vanderbijlpark, and concluded in Mahikeng. Although traditional paintbrushes were nowhere to be found, participants fully embraced the moment with sketchpads, snacks and lots of laughter.
The atmosphere was light and informal. Library staff gathered around tables with crayons and pencils, sipping on refreshments while getting to know one another beyond their professional roles. It was an opportunity to pause, connect, and enjoy something different.
Dina Mashiyane, senior manager at the NWU Library and Information Service, shared that the sessions were organised to recognise the often-unseen contributions of library staff.
“Library staff do essential work — usually behind the scenes and without much fanfare,” she said. “It’s important to show appreciation and let them know how valued they are. This was our way of doing that and also giving them space to simply enjoy themselves.”
Each session featured two creative activities, both designed to encourage reflection and connection in a playful way.
In the first activity, participants were asked to describe themselves by answering a few personal and reflective questions. These written self-portraits were then exchanged, and each person had half an hour to sketch their partner based only on what they had read. The room soon filled with giggles and good-humoured commentary as everyone revealed their interpretations — some surprisingly accurate, others delightfully off the mark.
The second activity invited everyone to reflect on their personal journey. Using drawing as a tool for storytelling, the staff created a single sketch representing their past, present and future.
The activities opened up space for colleagues to share stories, laugh together and see one another in a new light.
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