When it comes to getting creative stuff done in group situations – whether it’s during a meeting at work, or even playing a board game with pals – there’s always someone who hold their hands up to confess: ‘I’m no good at creative things’. But we’re not sure that’s true – often it’s just because that person hasn’t found the right outlet. Getting ‘creative’ doesn’t necessarily mean sketching a skyline or writing a long, prosaic poem – it comes in all sorts of forms. ‘Like what?’, you ask in our (creative) imaginations. Well, such as textiles. Or perhaps dance. Or maybe even a spot of magic! Essentially, we believe that everyone is creative, yet not everyone knows how to express it. To help you find the best outlet, we’ve put together a selection of awesome upcoming adult workshops in Singapore that will help you unleash your inner artist. Give ‘em a go!
Weird and wonderful classes
So you’re a bit apprehensive about spending a lot of money or time on pursuing a creative course that you might not actually want to commit to? No sweat. The folks at Laneway Learning have just landed in the little red dot and will be bringing you fortnightly double-billed workshops on Monday nights, in a range of weird and wonderful one-hour slots.
Fancy trying your hand at impressing friends with newly acquired magic illusions? Or are you more interested in considering philosophical reviews of literature? Why not settle in with a beverage from Club Meatballs and enjoy the ride? Held in the CBD in BW Furniture’s fancy Club House, Laneway Learning’s classes cost around $20. What better things do you have planned for Monday nights? Telly doesn’t count.
Try your hand at printing in Singapore!
Cool, crafty classes
The oh-so-creative Deborah McKellar is well-known for her inspiring and practical screen-printing short courses at LASALLE College of the Arts, plus and is the designer behind Talking Textiles. Off the back of this, Deborah has opened her roof-terraced studio in Jelan Besar up to the public, and is hosting international art collective SURFACE 1°22 on Thursday 16 April for an evening of surface design. For $65, workshop participants will be guided through the process of designing basic units and repeat tiles, which can be digitally-printed onto cushion covers and tote bags. What a cracking idea for fun interiors and, ahem, cheap gifts!
Peranakan-Australian artist Jennifer Lim will also be offering monthly hands-on classes in Japanese woodblock and linocut printmaking. Aspiring crafty-crafters should also check out monthly workshops hosted by the Popin Craft Collective and newest workshop kids on the block, Within.
Sign up to a cool art class, and discover that ‘drawing’ can mean almost anything
Art jamming!
Already have some experience with painting, but need time and space to reclaim your inner artist? Jamming isn’t just for Nanna’s with backyards full of fruit trees. All the rage with would-be painters, art jamming might just be the thing for you.
Cups N Canvas on Selegie Rd offer three hour art classes on Wednesday/Thursday nights, and Saturday/Sunday afternoons for $60 a pop. Also check out Art Jam Studio, where you can choose to daub solo or pay for brush-holding guidance. Sessions are available on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons and Monday and Wednesday evenings.
If you’re chasing art making materials for a DIY painting session then we recommend hunting down Overjoyed on Short St – the art supplies store frequented by art students in the know, from across the road at LASALLE.
Culture and creativity
Singapore’s mix of vibrant artistic cultures is definitely worth checking out. We hear The Temple of Fine Arts in Little India run classes in traditional Indian Dance, Sitar and Hindustani singing.
What? Oh yes! Wait, it gets better… the Nam Hwa Opera runs classes in Chinese Opera make-up, Traditional Teochew and Karaoke. Amazing! Many of these classes take place at Goodman Arts Centre, who run a ton of traditional and contemporary art classes such as Kamal Arts’ Batik Painting every Wednesday night.
Here’s Chad in action at Laneway Learning at SPRMKT
Need inspiration?
Still feeling nervous or not sure where to start? Relax and tap into your creative self by signing up to this one-day workshop where you’ll get to play, make and create under the guidance of design educator Emily Wills and performing arts lecturer Chad O’Brien (that’s us!) Reconnecting with your Creative Core offers you practical exercises in dealing with creative blocks, and learning how to express yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. We will guide you through creative processes using various mediums and disciplines as you reconnect with your creative core. This intimate workshop is limited to six participants, and hosted by Woolf Works in Joo Chiat on Saturday 18 April. Perfect for newbies or people looking for an artistic jumpstart.
This article is contributed by Emily Wills & Chad O’Brien