PA trainer, Renee Lee, waxed lyrical when asked about her children’s art workshop to be conducted at the various community centres and clubs (CCs). Having taught children's art for the past 3 years, her love for the craft was clearly evident judging by her manner of speaking:

“I came up with the Swirling Twirling X'mas Workshop after being inspired by an earlier workshop conducted in collaboration with the Very Special Arts Singapore,” enthused the 26-year-old who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from RMIT University-LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts.

Renee’s training coupled with her teaching background, enabled her to take a little more experimental approach in her workshop. Forget the mundane activity of drawing and colouring like those conducted in typical art classes. Instead, Renee stretches the concept of art by teaching children how to be innovative by engaging their imagination. Here, your child will be encouraged to let their creative juices flow by creating multi-coloured Christmas cards and gift tags made from regular paper that can also be used during this festive season.

“With this workshop, participants will go home feeling happy knowing that they have learnt and accomplished a new way of making art through very simple means. In turn, they can then pass on this skill to their siblings to create something for the festive season,” she added.

That’s not all under the Kiddies Expression umbrella. Those with a vivid imagination and love for cartoons should not miss the “Express Yourself With Cartoons” workshops conducted by trainers Seng Choon Meng and Oh Mei Lee.

Hailing from a media training background with an emphasis on visual communication and visual storytelling, Choon Meng understands the importance of using one’s creativity in selecting images in order to have the desired effect on the target audience. In addition, he is a professional cartoonist and illustrator who has illustrated more than 50 storybooks.

“I always remind my students that they are creating for an audience with an intention to tell a story and invoke certain emotions. They should not be afraid of experimenting with the visual tools at their disposals such as lines, shapes and forms in order to create something unique and expressive,” explained the 30-year-old who holds a Bachelor of Communications (Honours) from the Nanyang Technological University.

“The classes are never boring,” added Oh Mei Lee who is armed with a distinction in Diploma in Fine Art from NAFA. Mei Lee has also taught in various schools and private organisations for more than 5 years.

“In my class for instance, children are encouraged to be original by using their imagination to create their own brand of cartoons. Caricarture will also be involved,” summarised the practising artist herself. No stranger to art, Mei Lee has taken part in national solo and group art exhibitions and competitions and also received scholarships and awards.

All the basic steps - from the facial features, body, expressions and actions, right up to the more advanced aspects of cartooning such as special costumes and backgrounds - will be covered at this workshop. The drawing activities will then culminate into a series of comic panels that each child will be creating using the characters that they have come up with using either a pictorial story or a punchy gag.

With a pool of highly-experienced and qualified trainers conducting the Kiddies Expression workshops, your child is only one step away in unleashing his or her inner artist. Sign up now!

Kiddies Expression - Swirling Twirling X'mas Workshop
Bukit Batok East CC 65659330 | Jalan Besar CC 62986110 | Pasir Ris Elias CC 65831220 | Radin Mas CC 62735294 | The Serangoon 62824369
Fee Range: $10 - $15

Kiddies Expression - Express Yourself With Cartoons!
Bukit Batok East CC 65659330 | Pasir Ris East CC 65842798
Fee Range: $75 - $80

For information on more CC courses & workshops, or to register online, visit http://pa-online.pa.gov.sg/cc-online.