Narla’s Story Time Illustrations Tour
Narla’s Story Time Illustrations are a touring collection of works that are due to appear in libraries in Brisbane and Melbourne from late 2022 to 2023. They will also make a feature appearance in Alina’s first solo show in a gallery in 2023.
The tour began in Kenmore Library, Brisbane, in a display cabinet at the entrance of the library. From November 2022 to January 2023, there was a display cabinet of approximately 4 levels with prints of illustrations from the first and second books in the Narla Series. The cabinet show was about Narla, as a Story Dog and Peta’s (Alina’s mum) volunteering, and how the books were written and illustrated by Alina. The Kenmore Library is Narla’s local library, and she would wait regularly at the Kenmore Village while Peta did her shopping. Alina and Peta were quite thrilled to start the tour locally, as Narla’s books are proudly a local Brisbane production. The printer and designers are based at Clake and McKay in Acacia Ridge, and Alina, Narla and her family are local from Brisbane. Kenmore Library is also the closest library to the school Narla would read with the children at Upper Brookfield State School. Narla, and Peta were part of, Story Dogs Australia. Narla was trained as a kind of “therapy dog” that would go to school, and sit with children while they were learning to read with Peta. Narla would politely listen and accept pats from students as they read with Peta. Narla and Peta lived neighbouring the school. Narla loved the school children very much and would say hi to them over the fence. This cabinet display told the introduction to Narla and her story time at school through the first book, “Narla’s Story Time.”
Display Cabinet at Kenmore Library (Brisbane)
Following this display January 2023, at Ashgrove Library in Brisbane there were 8 pastel artworks in print form that were used as illustrations in the first book. Then 4 more pastel artworks used as illustrations in the newly released second book, “Narla’s 10th Birthday.” Narla’s second book is about how she would celebrate her birthday at the school with the children was released early in January. The exhibition hanging at Ashgrove library showed the beautiful Narla pastels from Narla’s Story Time in print form at the entrance. Then further into the library it devoted a whole wall to the new second book showing Narla’s birthday celebrations at the school. Ashgrove was thrilled to receive Narla’s books exhibition, as it is a children and dog friendly library in many ways. Bluey, another Brisbane dog, once featured at this library too in an animation.
Images Back wall at Ashgrove Library (Brisbane)
Tragically and suddenly, not long after the release of the second book, and the display at Ashgrove Library, Narla passed away in January only a few months before her 14th Birthday in June. Narla was an amazing family dog, and her death was absolutely devastating for Alina, Peta and her entire family. However, the loss was not just felt in the family. Narla had a great impact at the school, amongst her friends, our printers, and community. She has been described by many as, “much loved.” She was Alina’s great muse and helped her find her voice in writing and illustration. She helped children to learn to read and Alina to write. Therefore, the continuing tours of Narla’s illustrations are in Narla’s beautiful and inspired memory. They are a tribute to where she set her paws in spirit with #Narlawasthere2023. Narla lives on in books, artworks, and illustrations, and Alina and Peta (and the family) find it imperative to honour her legacy.
Images Enterance wall at Ashgrove Library (Brisbane)
Now in her honour there is another display in Kenmore Library. This time in the study area by the reading tables. The wall display includes 6 prints of the pastel illustrations and a story about the first book. Then a second wall with a display of 4 illustrations in print form directly from Narla’s second book. The exhibition is currently showing from the start of April just released and will be up until the end of the month.
Peta at Kenmore Library Brisbane Reading “Narla’s Story Time”
Then following this display, the exhibition will move to the Indooroopilly (Brisbane) library in May 2023 featuring more illustrations, artworks and stories behind the scenes of the books. Also at this time, Narla’s Illustrations will have its first tour in Melbourne at the Northcote Library in its Gallery study area with 12 of the pastel illustration in print from the first book up on the walls. Furthermore, as an ultimate memory and recognition of the importance of Narla to Alina’s development as an artist and writer, her pawprints will make their way from the city into nature. The original pastel illustrations from the first and second books will feature in Alina’s first ever solo show in a gallery. The show “Paw prints from the city to nature,” (see blog) will happen from Wednesday the 3rd of May to Sunday 14th of May. The opening day will be on Saturday the 6th of May from 1:30pm till 3:30pm. The opening will include a book signing and maybe a reading. It will be at the Australian Guild of Realist Artists (AGRA) Gallery. This is local to where Alina is currently living in Camberwell. Narla’s books are now available for sale at the gallery as well, so please go to buy your copy. You can also buy the books on this website in the Narla Collection Shop and find out more about the books on Narla’s page.
Peta at Kenmore Library Brisbane Reading “Narla’s Story Time”
It should also be noted Narla made some sneaky appearances in oil paintings at some group art shows in Melbourne in 2022. These included the Brunswick Small Works Prize (at Brunswick Street Gallery), and the Linden Post Card Show (at Linden New Art Gallery at St Kilda). These shows are a hint for the solo show including both illustrations and new oil paintings of Narla. So, come see the special collections of Narla works at the solo show.
Linden Post Card Show (2022-2023) with Hidden Narla oil painting in Melbourne
Alina will be starting work on a third book in the series in 2023 called “Narla says come read with me.” This book will be about Narla’s service as a story dog (from Story dogs Australia) to her local school, Upper Brookfield State School (Brisbane). Alina was a past student at this school, and she hopes to continue Narla’s legacy empowering children at the school and many more to learn to read and write, like she has. This book will make the current book series a trilogy and complete the story of how Narla has served the community. There are many more exciting stories to come in Narla’s life. Alina and Peta wish for you to share them and be part of them! So please look out for the library and gallery displays and buy the books to show your support, so Narla will live on!
Alina with Artworks in Ashgrove Library (Brisbane)
Follow @alinashirley.storybooks on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date.
Follow #Narlastorytime for any updates on the series of books.
Use and follow #Narlawashere2023 to see where Narla will appear next!
Ashgrove Library. We are hoping to see more of Narla’s Book available in libraries for people to rent, and in bookstores to buy! We hope to see your support in future!
Finally, Alina would like to say a big thanks to Peta, and the family, for helping install many of these exhibitions! Also, a big thanks to the libraries for these opportunities. All this would not have been possible without this great support!
Blog by Alina Shirley