Welcome Home! – Utterly Art Artists Return to 20B Mosque Street

Synopsis

If there’s one art exhibition in Singapore you shouldn’t miss this March, Welcome Home! – Utterly Art Artists Return to 20B Mosque Street is it.

Running from 6 March to 5 April 2026, this landmark exhibition marks the opening of a brand-new cultural space at 20B Mosque Street, where Visual Arts Centre unveils its Chinatown VAC Art Gallery and Studio—and does so with a meaningful homecoming.

A Homecoming with Deep Roots

For over a decade (2012–2024), 20B Mosque Street was home to Utterly Art, one of Singapore’s longest-running independent galleries known for championing Southeast Asian artists. Welcome Home! brings back artists who once exhibited here, reuniting them with a space that shaped their artistic journeys.

Now reimagined as a hybrid gallery-studio, the venue bridges past and future, honouring Utterly Art’s legacy while launching a new chapter focused on accessibility, learning, and cultural exchange.

Artists to Watch

This multi-generational group exhibition features 20 artists, including:

  • Aaron Gan – Celebrated for atmospheric cityscapes and urban narratives

  • Andre Tan – Known for bold graphic imagery examining labour, identity, and nationhood

  • Chong En

  • Diana Francis

  • Dyn

  • Foo Kwee Horng

  • Foo Wen Feng

  • Frank Zhen

  • Gabby Malpas

  • Grace Li

  • Kin

  • Leong Chye Chye

  • Lok Kerk Hwang

  • Melissa Teo – Exploring memory and recollection through expressive colour

  • Nathalie Laoué

  • Paul Koh

  • Poh Siew Wah

  • Tay Zhiyong

  • TR853-1

  • William Sim

  • Yen Chua

Spanning painting, works on paper, printmaking, and mixed media, the exhibition showcases both signature works and new artistic directions—offering a rare glimpse into how these practices have evolved over time.

More Than an Exhibition

Welcome Home! isn’t just about looking—it’s about participating. The exhibition launches an active cultural calendar featuring:

  • Meet the Artists walkthrough: 14 March, 11am–1pm

  • Watercolour Workshop with Ong Kim Seng: 15 March, 9am–12pm

  • Beginner-friendly workshops in Batik Painting, Peranakan Tile Painting, Urban Sketching, street-style doodling with ANTZ, botanical watercolour, and more

Designed for both locals and international visitors, the programmes respond to a growing interest in hands-on, Singapore-centric cultural experiences.

Why You Should Go

Set in the heart of Chinatown, Welcome Home! taps into themes of return, belonging, memory, and place—making it especially resonant within Mosque Street’s layered heritage. Whether you’re a collector, a casual gallery-hopper, or someone looking to reconnect with Singapore’s art scene, this exhibition offers a warm, thoughtful entry point.

As Iola Liu puts it, this is both “a homecoming for the artists, and a home-opening for Visual Arts Centre.”

Exhibition Details

Date
6 March to 5 April 2026
Wed–Sat: 10am–7pm
Sun: 10am–6pm

Opening Night: 5 March, from 6pm (by invitation)

Venue 
VAC Art Gallery & Studio, 20B Mosque Street, Chinatown
Website 
https://www.vac-artgallerystudio.sg/

✨ If March had an art heartbeat, this would be it.

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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.