Workshop on Temple Tour Guiding Shows How

On 12th June, BLIA South Island and Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery South Island collaboratively organised a tour-taking class for the volunteer tour guides of the Temple and Art Gallery, so that they can be better prepared to take the tours for “Exquisite Sunday”.

The aim of the class was to equip the guides with the necessary information and skills which will bring the quality of the Temple’s tour guiding services to the optimum level, and ultimately provide visitors of the Temple with the best tour possible. The class was conducted by BLIA South Island Vice-president Mr. Jack Liu and FGY Art Gallery Assistant curator See Shen Lee. In attendance were BLIA South Island committee members and Venerable Juexi.
The Temple tour begins with an introduction of the design of the building and the inspiration of the designer. Mr. Jack explained that the design concept consists of the combination of local elements and the features of the Longman Caves in China. Every single feature of the building has its’ significance and application. He also shared his experiences with the way he adapted the Temple tours to cater for the visitors’ different age levels.

As for the Art Gallery, tour guides are required to use embroidery’s special terminology during their tour and explain them to the visitors. They also need to mention the background and history behind each works. As the majority of Art Gallery patrons are senior ladies, the tour guides need to be able to interact with the ladies in a way which lights their spark for the artworks.

During the tour, Mr. Liu and See Shen provided their best explanation to attend to the doubts of the volunteer tour guides. Everyone has the common aim of reaching out to the public and increasing the vivacity of the building which is full of amazing artworks through attracting flows of patrons.