Category Archives for "archived"

0 Singaporean government plans to encourage more art engagement

Officials within the Singaporean government have big plans to help inspire more community closeness and engagement, and they plan to utilize art to make it happen.

Officials are examining a variety of ways to inspire more participation in the arts, including a special program for young students to attend art events. The objective for such a program is to inspire, from an early age, an appreciation for the art community that will carry well into their adult lives. If children learn to understand and love art while they are still young, they would be more likely to support the arts as they grow older, including purchasing pieces, participating in community events, and regularly visiting museums and galleries. Officials are confident that if they begin a program that introduces students to art in an organized manner, students will cherish it as a part of their lives.

To help with this endeavor, the government is looking to bring art groups in to brainstorm different approaches to outreach. In exchange for the groups’ help, the government will, in turn, start coming up with ways to better support art groups, including providing important funding, assisting with recruitment, and helping to organize training for members of the groups, when necessary and applicable. It’s essential for art organizations to participate in fostering a love for art in children, especially since members of these groups intimately understand what it takes to put on successful creative programming.

For one government official, truly successful art engagement in Singapore means reaching out to the idea of a young child passing by art in their daily life and being in awe of it. That’s why the government is also pursuing project ideas for more public art spaces and opportunities throughout the nation. Hand in hand with this effort is an examination of the beloved Little India neighborhood and what is being done to preserve the art and heritage in the area. The government official speaking on the issue says that a balance is being struck to clean and beautify the neighborhood, make it accessible to tourists, and still maintain the charm of the area.

Start engaging with art today by enrolling in an art class. Visit SGArtClass.com to browse the wide variety of art classes available. Whether your interest lies in collage art, photographic art, or acrylic painting, there is sure to be a class that will ignite your creative passion. Expert teachers familiar with instructing students of all ages and skill levels will be on hand to help you learn the techniques you need in your classes. You can even sign up with a group of friends or colleagues for a fun option to socialize or develop creative problem solving skills. Who knows? You might even find that you had artistic talent hidden away inside of you that you never knew about before.

To read more about the plans for student engagement with the arts community, go to http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/building-students-interest-in-heritage-community-engagement-in/3524038.html.

0 Singapore art fair features strong showing of Philippine creators

The result was a new appreciation in Singapore for the artwork created by Filipino artists and an excitement from Singaporean gallery owners to explore more of a partnership with artists from the Philippines.

Art Apart, a unique show hosted in the Parkroyal on Pickering, gives an unexpected exhibition space for artists in the fine hotel. Spaces ranged from bright indoor rooms to rooftop gardens and other outdoor spaces, ensuring that artists could choose to show their works in the places that would highlight their strengths the most.

Rosalind Lim, the director and founder for the art fair, said she was excited to have helped fly in Filipino artists in order to open Singaporean art connoisseurs’ eyes to the power and promise of art from the Philippines. Attendees and artists alike at the art fair all expressed a wish for Lim to continue to support masterpieces coming from the Philippines.

One of the most popular Filipino artists who took part in the art fair was Ramon Orlina, whose preferred artistic medium is glass. Orlina brought 13 brand new pieces of glass sculptures to the show. The sculptures received interest and congratulations from many of the fair’s attendees. Each a complicated abstract vision realized in fragile forms, the sculptures were executed expertly in clear glass, drawing viewers to look inward to the fine craftsmanship. Orlina himself complimented the organization and effort of Art Apart, saying that it was exciting to see work from both the Philippines and beyond presented in such an attractive space.

One of the most special parts of this edition of Art Apart was a donation from Stanley Quek. Quek, a doctor and real estate magnate, and his donation encouraged artists to make art in front of visitors during the fair. While artists got time to work on their creative pursuits, attendees got the chance for an intimate education on just what went into the process of each masterpiece. Artwork sold as a part of this special display both benefited the artist who sold it and a charity. Quek said he decided to sponsor this special exhibition as a way to help support new artists while showing people perhaps unfamiliar with the art world all of the work it took to produce a painting, sculpture, or other artwork.

Are you interested in taking the plunge into the art world but aren’t sure where or how to start? Let SGArtClass.com be your guide by helping to connect you to a professional art teacher who is a proven expert in his or her field of study. You can enroll in an art class in one of many concentrations, including portrait drawing, oil painting, watercolor landscapes, and much more. Never picked up a paintbrush before? No problem — a wide range of class levels from beginning to advanced will ensure you get the instruction you need to make a splash in the art world.

For more information about the art fair, go to http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/206482/singapores-unique-boutique-art-fair-features-philippine-artists.

0 New Singapore Art Museum exhibit a revelation

Though the arts in Singapore have only had a couple of decades to start taking root, they have recently begun to blossom. The Singapore Art Museum was one of the places to help fertilize the growing art scene, and the world is only expected to get broader with the opening of the National Gallery of Art later this year.

Contemporary art, by its nature, can often be divisive and address challenging subjects. However, art as a whole is meant to provoke a reaction, to ignite a thought, and to inspire a feeling in all viewers — that’s the goal. “After Utopia” is an exhibition devoted to encouraging a broad range of thoughts and dialogues about many different topics. That’s evident from the wide variety of artists from different Asian countries represented in the show — from Singapore itself to China.

Within “After Utopia,” art collections are categorized into one of four areas. The first deals with the idea of the biblical garden of Eden, as well as artists’ interpretations of what that may look like for other people. The second is devoted to the idealistic views of the perfect urban center, or what the artists might picture as the best possible city. The third category explores politics, those devoted to political causes, and what it might look like in a world where one’s political aims are all met. The fourth and final category explores the pursuit of a utopia within one’s soul, sought through prayer, action, meditation, and other practices.

One of the most expansive and time-consuming parts of the fourth category is a collection of work from the artist Kamin Lertchaiprasert. Working over the course of a year, the artist carved 365 sitting figures — one for every day of the calendar. Each of the figures is different from the next, and the task itself became a meditation for the artist to complete, a daily ritual that allowed him to retreat inside of himself to explore the ideas of art, creativity, and what it means to create masterpieces such as the ones displayed at this exhibit.

A large, impactful art installation of falling bombs covered in mirrored glass ends the exhibit, begging the question of just what happens to end utopia — or achieve it. Viewers will be challenged to search for the answer both in the museum and outside of it once they’ve left after seeing this worthy exhibit.

Inspired by contemporary art and the ability to create meaningful commentary on your daily life? Think about enrolling today on a beginner’s course on contemporary art via SGArtClass.com. Experts leading each lesson will take you on a journey of the history of contemporary art to the present day, exploring how different artists approach analyzing their lives around them through art. Participate in the growing wave in your own way.

For more information about the exhibition, go to http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/review-boundaries-open-up-in-after-utopia-at-singapore-art-museum-20150831-gjbe6k.html.

0 Visit Singapore’s national gallery for free — while it lasts

9th August 2015

Complimentary for less than two weeks, those who enjoy viewing art in a brand new space should try to make the visit before entrance charges are introduced, and to be a part of a new cultural experience.

The national gallery will feature historical Asian art as well as modern masterpieces from artists in Singapore itself as a part of a pair of permanent installations. The gallery acts as a perfect place to host such artwork, the architecture and design indoors a marriage of clean modern lines with classical columns, facades and more.

From November 27 to November 29, the national gallery will host a festival to mark its opening, featuring performances, screenings, interactive events, and much more. All are welcome to experience the special party to celebrate a brand new venue for experiencing artwork pertinent to the region and beyond. Attendees can also expect to enjoy guided tours through the new exhibits and discussions on the artworks’ importance in the creative world. Ahead of the festival, visitors to the gallery can also attend panels discussing the contributions of Singaporean and other Asian art to the rest of the art world.

The CEO of Singapore’s national gallery, Chong Siak Ching, says that the gallery’s opening will be one facet of the cultural celebrations surrounding Singapore’s 50th birthday. She added that she hopes the new exhibit space will both continue an interest in art from around the region and spark a wider interest in creativity as a whole. Art is a wonderful way for people to learn more about the world around them — and about the world contained inside themselves, as well, she said.

Minister Lawrence Wong agreed on the importance of the new artistic space the national gallery will have to offer. Though it coincides as one of the many events marking Singapore’s 50th birthday, it will also serve as a shining jewel for decades to come, continuing to make a positive contribution for Singapore’s art enthusiasts for many more birthdays for the country.

Celebrate Singapore’s birthday with artistic flair of your own by enrolling in an art class today. SGartclass.com features a wide variety of art classes for many different purposes. Whether you’re already inclined to have artistic talent, or if you’re just looking to engage in a new hobby, SGartclass.com has the right option for you to embrace your creative side. It doesn’t matter if you’re preparing for entrance in to a prestigious art institution or just looking to bond closer with your coworkers at your company. All of our art classes come with expert tutors who will work closely with you and the rest of the members of your class to develop the best plan of action to address your artistic needs and desires.

For more information about visiting the Singapore National Gallery, go to http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/free-entry-national-gallery-singapore-limited-period.

0 Textile Exhibit Celebrates Diversity of Queen City

Refugees and others from a slew of places around the world, including Africa, Asia, and South America, are contributing to the culture of Manchester.

Customs, art, and other practices are becoming common sights in this Connecticut town, with not place more invested than a local art museum. On display is an exhibit that explores textiles from Africa.

The textile exhibit has been special particularly to those residents hailing from Africa because it reminds them of making their own fabrics before they left the continent for the United States. It celebrates the craftsmanship and creativity of what they left behind and reminds them of things that are still possible here, thousands of miles away from home.

In African culture, textiles denote such things as wealth, power, and prestige whether they are used to clothe the wearer, carry a baby, or shroud a recently deceased person. They can also pay tribute to anything from the artisan’s imagination to documenting real-life events, such as U.S. presidents’ visits to Africa.

Enroll today in a sewing class to explore the vast possibilities in the world of textiles. Classes range from beginning skills, such as techniques needed to master a sewing machine, to advanced classes. Students can expect to complete projects of their choosing, including sewing or altering their own clothes and other textile items, as well as exploring decorative sewing techniques, such as embellishments and embroidery.

Read the entire Union Leader article at http://www.unionleader.com/article/20140102/NEWHAMPSHIRE01/140109925.

0 School Mural Aims to Stamp Out Bullying

The motivation behind the project was to have total participation from each and every student, teacher, staff member, and all interested parents at Georgetown. In this vein, the project meant that students could explore how to root out bullying while learning about art, painting, and murals.

Read the entire CapeGazette article at http://capegazette.villagesoup.com/p/school-mural-depicts-legacy-of-kindness/1088763.

Students worked with a professional mural artist to learn the right techniques and skills to complete each of their contributions to the greater work, which will depict bookshelves full of books. Each participant is responsible for painting the spine area of a book, and the book takes a look at how to defeat bullying. Many of the students’ book spines feature bright colors, sunshine, hearts, and such words as “kindness,” “love,” and “lock up bullying,” as well as each student’s name. When the work is complete, the “library of kindness” will stretch around the walls of the school, offering brightness and hope against bullying.

The mural will act as a lasting reminder to be personally accountable in the fight against bullying as well as an artistic legacy for all those who participated.

Interested in the art of murals? Sign up for a class on mural painting today to start your exploration into the artistic genre. Classes will investigate all the different ways that murals can be incorporated into different settings and with different numbers of participants.

0 Chinese Artist Talks Creative Influences

Many of Fang’s paintings depict bald figures with a variety of facial expressions. The artist explains that he mostly paints people he knows, and he uses bright colors to make each oil on canvas painting vivid and bright.

Some of the artist’s most recent works depict weeping figures. He says that there are some questions that may never be answered, including why the subjects of his work are crying.

Read the entire South China Morning Post article at http://www.scmp.com/magazines/48hrs/article/1391077/artist-fang-lijun-says-painting-animals-kind-artistic-freedom.

Fang’s sculptural work is particularly intriguing, going against the mold of more traditional techniques. Several of his sculptures are white ceramic walls that appear to be falling or collapsing on themselves, bringing a sense of unease to the viewer. Fang explains that he wants to make his exploration of form less structural and more lyrical.

Recently, Fang has delighted in painting animals. Though he most often paints the human form, Fang said that painting animals wasn’t that much of a departure. In Chinese culture, the zodiac has 12 animals that correspond to birth years. Also, when the artist features animals in his work, he gets fewer questions about the identities of people in his work and why he is painting a particular person.

Start taking art classes today to investigate different points of interest within the artistic world. If you’re interested in painting, try several lessons. After mastering one type of painting, try your hand at drawing with the help of professional teachers.

0 Museum Mural’s Origins a Mystery

Museum officials have set aside funding and are gearing up to try to discover who painted the mural — and when.

Officials have said that they would like to remove the mural from the wall, restore it, frame it, and display it in a more prominent position. They also suspect that it once had a partner — another mural that has perhaps been lost to time.

The people who run the museum are refusing to let this particular mural suffer the same fate.

The mural depicts gliders floating over richly painted hills and fields, through thick clouds and a baby blue sky. It also features representations of houses, buildings, and landmarks of the local area.

Though the aircraft featured in the mural is from the 1930s, officials still aren’t sure just when the mural was installed, or who did the installing. It’s currently housed in a community room, and the museum staff would like it out where more people can see and appreciate the craftsmanship of the piece. They hope that, with the help of a grant, they can make a video of the restoration project and display it alongside the mural as a part of an exhibit.

Take a class on mural painting today and get started honoring, preserving, and paying tribute to your own passions. Classes will help you develop all necessary skills for creating a mural with themes of your own choosing.

Read the entire Star-Gazette article at http://www.stargazette.com/article/20131227/NEWS01/312270004/Mystery-surrounds-National-Soaring-Museum-mural?nclick_check=1.

0 Christmas Spirit Leads Teacher to Sew Stockings

Every year since she started out teaching a preschool class, Lee has made stockings for her students at Christmas. The art of sewing comes naturally to her — her grandmother was passionate about it, so she picked it up from an early age.

Lee even sewed her own wedding dress.

Read the entire Naperville Sun article at http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/news/stockings-NAP-12272013:article.

The stockings began elaborate, Lee said, explaining that it was so much work that first year that she decided not to decorate them anymore by herself. Instead, she cuts the stockings from felt using a pattern and then employs different colors, threads, and ribbons to make sure that each one is unique. Students choose their own stocking and decorate them. It’s up to Lee to fill the stockings with goodies.

Since this was her last year teaching, Lee wanted each and every student at her school to have a stocking from her, driving her to complete a grand total of 458 stockings. They were a hit with all the students, and Lee said she enjoyed walking through the school and seeing how the different classes chose to decorate them.

Learning how to sew can ensure your ability to make lasting and memorable pieces for your loved one. Think about enrolling in a sewing class today, even if you have little to no experience at the sewing machine.

0 Artist Uses Mixed Mediums in Exhibition

Goffrier’s show, effectively called “Oil & Water,” is a display of paintings using both mediums. The artist’s works are characterized with a strong sense of place. Many feature landmarks, sights, and landscapes that are typical to different locations where Goffrier has spent time or lived. He lived in Massachusetts for nearly twenty years before moving back to his home state of Kansas.

The mix of oil paint and watercolors works well on canvas. For many of the bolder strokes of buildings and foliage, Goffrier incorporates the thicker, hardier oil paint. For shading or light color, such as clouds dotting the sky, he uses watercolor. The two mediums converge in each of his pieces, offering a unique look on using the distinctive types of paint.

Read the entire Wichita Eagle article at http://www.kansas.com/2013/12/27/3196572/oil-and-water-mix-in-painter-bill.html.

This is Goffrier’s first show in Kansas since he moved back to the state to be closer to family members. The artist said that he was excited to share his work with other residents of the state, particularly since so many of his works depict things that many people who live in Kansas are intimately familiar with.

Take an art class to start learning the skills needed to feed your curiosity and creativity. Don’t be afraid to sign up for several different types of classes on painting. Once you master the art of watercolor painting, for example, take it to the next level with classes on oil painting. Combine the two for a fun, dual-medium experience.