Connect with Your Artistic Side at Visual Arts Centre

Connect with Your Artistic Side at Visual Arts Centre
  • Located in the scenic lush green habitat of Dhoby Ghaut Green, Visual Arts Centre (VAC) is a 5500 square feet glass-house exhibition gallery and studio. This unique combination of an exhibition gallery and a studio provides a comfortable, immersive and educational experience of the visual arts for the public of all ages. With a mission to spearhead and promote arts and cultural activities and community engagement in the arts, VAC offers a variety of activities for you to explore and rediscover your creativity and artistic side.

    Take up an art course

    With art courses running throughout the week, VAC provides a flexible schedule for you to pick up and master sketching/drawing and painting skills. With copious amounts of natural light streaming in, relaxing music and a friendly community of art students and teachers, VAC’s studio is a cozy and welcoming space for art enthusiasts of all skill levels. The studio also provides all the art materials and equipment which makes learning more convenient and cost-efficient.

    The practice of drawing and sketching is the foundation of all visual arts. Through the usage of line and tone, solidity and depth is achieved, giving life to three-dimensional forms on a piece of paper. Systematic training in drawing is not only the first step into the world of art making but it is in fact, much more than that. The practice of drawing is therapeutic in nature and helps also cultivates patience, mental alertness, and perseverance.  This course is an introduction to the discipline of drawing, through the honoured tradition of the sketch – the conception of every great piece of art.

    From oil painting to watercolour painting, and to acrylic painting, VAC offers a variety of painting mediums for you to develop an appreciation for fine art and your painting capabilities. The oil painting course introduces observation, form and composition, colour mixing and blending, brushwork and various painting techniques. The creative acrylic painting course introduces you to acrylic painting and encourages creative compositions. The watercolour course introduce you to basic art theory and materials knowledge, watercolour theory, mixing & colours usage, and watercolour brush work and techniques.

    VAC offers a diversity of art courses, from sketching and drawing to painting, to bring out the undiscovered artist in you.

    Attend a workshop

    From regular to customised workshops, VAC offers a variety of options for you to learn, receive professional guidance, and put your skills to the test on a specific genre of art. Nude Life Figure Drawing with Artist’s Guidance, Portrait Drawing with Artist’s Guidance, Chinese Ink Fan Painting are some workshops VAC offers.

    VAC also collaborates with various artists to conduct workshops.

    Visit an exhibition


    Coco Cafe URBAN EXPEDITION – 2018 Sculpture Society Annual Show

    Since its launch at 2016, VAC has hosted over 200 exhibitions and events. From sculptures to paintings, the gallery has showcased art and design works from both local and international artists. The public is welcome to visit the exhibitions and attend free exhibition tours, art talks and workshops to explore and appreciate fine arts. The gallery has also hosted multiple media launches and events, such as the well-received Coco Cafe in 2017 where Chanel transformed the space into a Chanel-themed cafe for the launch of their newest makeup line, Moleskine, and Clarins Launch.

    Upcoming exhibitions include: The Bridge of Zen on the Silk Road: Zhang Hong’s Ink-Wash Paintings Exhibition (16 August 2018 -21 August 2018, 11am-7pm), The LAUREATES Exhibition (20 September 2018 to 23 September 2018, 11am-8pm), Singapore Teddy and Friends Show 2018 (16 November 2018 to 18 November 2018).

    The exhibition gallery is also available for rental, providing a space for artists to showcase their work.

    Venue: #01-02 Dhoby Ghaut Green, 10 Penang Rd, Singapore 238469

    VAC is conveniently located just above the Dhoby Ghaut MRT Xchange (Red and Circle Lines) on Level 1. 

Foundation In Digital Art

Embark on a captivating journey into the vibrant world of digital art! Our Foundation in Digital Art workshop invites budding creatives aged nine and above to unleash their imagination and hone their artistic skills in a dynamic, supportive environment. From mastering basic digital tools to crafting mesmerizing digital masterpieces, children will explore a spectrum of techniques guided by seasoned mentors. Through hands-on activities and interactive sessions, participants will discover the endless possibilities of digital expression while fostering creativity and critical thinking. Join us for an exhilarating adventure where young artists transform ideas into stunning visual realities, igniting a passion for digital art

Colour & Texture Exploration With Acrylic Painting & Collage

Prepare to unleash your inner artist in a kaleidoscope of color and creativity with ‘Colour Blast: Acrylic Painting & Collage Techniques’! Dive into a whirlwind adventure where vibrant hues and mesmerizing textures collide in a symphony of imagination. From mastering the art of seamless color blending to discovering the magic of mixed media collage, this journey is a playground for your artistic soul. With each brushstroke, explore new techniques that breathe life into your canvas, transforming it into a vibrant tapestry of expression. Join us and let your creativity run wild as you embark on this colorful escapade!”

World of Manga [Foundation & Styling]

A manga art workshop for children and teenagers sounds like a fantastic idea! Here’s how you might structure it:
Introduction to Manga: Begin by introducing what manga is, its history, and its influence on popular culture worldwide. Show examples of different manga styles and genres to give participants an overview.
Basic Drawing Techniques: Start with the fundamentals of drawing, such as line work, shapes, and proportions. Provide step-by-step instructions on how to draw basic manga characters, focusing on simple shapes that can be built upon.
Character Design: Move on to character design concepts, including creating unique characters, designing their personalities, and developing backstories. Encourage participants to get creative and think outside the box.
Expression and Emotion: Teach how to convey emotions and expressions through facial expressions, body language, and positioning of characters. This can be a fun and interactive exercise where participants practice drawing various emotions.
Storytelling and Paneling: Explore the basics of storytelling in manga, including paneling techniques, pacing, and layout. Show examples of different panel structures and discuss how they affect the flow of the story.
Inking and Coloring: Introduce participants to inking techniques using pens or markers. You can also cover digital inking for those interested. Then, demonstrate basic coloring techniques using markers, colored pencils, or digital software.
Feedback and Collaboration: Provide opportunities for participants to share their work and receive feedback from their peers and instructors. Encourage collaboration by having them work together on short manga projects or collaborative drawings.
Final Showcase: End the workshop with a showcase of participants’ work. This could be in the form of an exhibition, digital gallery, or printed booklet. Celebrate everyone’s creativity and progress throughout the workshop.
Remember to create a supportive and encouraging environment where participants feel free to express themselves and explore their creativity. And don’t forget to have fun! Manga is all about imagination and passion, so let that spirit shine through in your workshop.

Academy Drawing Traditions

The academy drawing and sketching tradition, rooted in centuries of artistic practice, emphasizes disciplined study of form, proportion, and technique. Originating from Renaissance workshops and formalized by institutions like the Royal Academy, it prioritizes meticulous observation and mastery of fundamental skills. Students progress from basic exercises to complex compositions, learning to depict still life and common objects with precision and expression. This tradition values both classical principles and innovation, encouraging artists to push boundaries while maintaining a deep respect for tradition. Through rigorous training and critique, artists within this tradition cultivate a strong foundation for creative exploration and artistic excellence.

Chinese Ink Painting and Calligraphy

This course on Chinese ink painting and calligraphy introduces young learners to the rich traditions of Chinese art. Through hands-on activities, students explore the basics of brush techniques, ink control, and the delicate art of Chinese script. They learn to appreciate the cultural significance of calligraphy and painting, developing skills in creating elegant strokes and expressive brushwork. The course fosters creativity, patience, and fine motor skills, while also providing insights into Chinese history and aesthetics. By the end, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and a deeper understanding of Chinese cultural heritage.

Funk with Graffiti

Funk With Graffiti Workshop for children is an engaging and creative program aimed at introducing young artists to the vibrant world of graffiti and funk-inspired street style art. Participants learn the basics of graffiti history, techniques, and safety. Guided by professional graffiti artists, children explore the art of designing their unique tags, emphasizing creativity, expression, and individuality. The workshop includes hands-on activities, from sketching concepts to creating final designs with spray paint on provided surfaces. By the end of the session, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and an appreciation for graffiti and funk as legitimate forms of street art. Each child completes two original artworks, which they proudly take home, showcasing their newfound skills and personal style.

Batik Tales

In the Batik Introduction Handkerchief Painting workshop, participants will learn the traditional art of batik, a wax-resist dyeing technique originating from Indonesia. The workshop begins with a brief history and overview of batik, highlighting its cultural significance and various techniques. Participants will then observe a demonstration of applying wax with tjanting tools and dyeing the fabric. Following the demonstration, each participant will design and create their own batik handkerchief, applying wax to create patterns and then dyeing their fabric. The workshop concludes with a group discussion, allowing participants to share their creations and reflect on their learning experience.