In this issue:Chairman’s Message 01

Executive Director’s 02Foreword

Our Programmes 03

ALERT

ALIVE

ADD-ME

Our Projects 15

The Social Services 18Scene

Contact Us 18

VSA Charity Concert - 19Tapestry Of Hope

Welcome To My World

Chairman’s Message

“Know me for my abilities, not my disabilities”

It gives me immense pleasure

to welcome you to our world,

a wonderful world of the arts

for very special persons.

We hope with this publication,

a first for VSA, to build an informed and engaged community

with all who seek to improve the lives of the disabled through the

arts: partners, associates, donors, faculty, volunteers, parents,

beneficiaries and supporters.

On the subject of welcome, please join me in welcoming Judy Lim,

our new Executive Director, on the good ship VSA Singapore. She

takes over from Christopher Yeow, our founding Executive Director,

who is moving on after sixteen inspiring, pioneering and dedicated

years of service. Judy has over 25 years of social services experience

most recently helming the Visually Impaired and Deaf associations

in Singapore.

Enjoy our new publication, and Welcome To My World!

Andrew LiewChairman

Vision A world where people with disabilities are empowered through the arts, contribute to and integrate with the community

MissionTo create and provide access and opportunities for people with disabilities through the arts

Very Special Arts Singapore Ltd MCI (P) 155/05/2015 Volume 1 Issue June 2015

arts&disability

Andrew with Christopher Yeow and Judy Lim

2

Executive Director’s (ED) Foreword

Welcome to the first Edition of the VSA Newsletter - ‘Welcome To My World’.

It has been two months since I stepped foot into VSA as its second but first full -time

ED. I am greatly humbled to be part of a voluntary welfare organisation which is both

inclusive and vibrant. VSA offers access for the disabled in Singapore, regardless of

disability, to all forms of art: the visual, performing, and soon, the literary arts. Our

two centres at Bedok and Changi are a buzz of activities with classes, rehearsals and

other therapeutic pursuits.

VSA is partially funded by the National Council of Social Service and supported by

the National Arts Council. VSA Singapore is affiliated to VSA (John Kennedy Centre),

formerly known as VSA International.

In this first issue of the newsletter, we introduce the wonderful works of our artists with

disability. In addition to charity concerts and events, VSA runs three programmes - Arts

in Learning, Rehabilitation and Training (ALERT), Arts for Livelihood and Employment

(ALIVE) and Art in Dance, Drama and Music for Everyone (ADD-ME). Read more

about these programmes in this issue.

Our activities for this year revolve around the theme, “My Singapore, My Country”

in conjunction with SG50. Come visit our upcoming exhibitions in August and Arts

Competition-cum-Exhibition in September. Details to follow in our later issues.

On behalf of VSA, I thank everyone for your continued generous support. I wish to

acknowledge the Chairman and board members, and my colleagues - Joanne

Tan, Chok Shin Ni, Victoria Ding, Magali Finet and Cynthia Poh - for their dedicated

commitment to the cause of disabled arts.

We welcome your feedback on how VSA Singapore can improve. In the meantime,

a warm thank you for your enthusiastic support of VSA! You can expect our next

publication four months from now.

Judy LimExecutive Director

3

Special Art Class

From January to March 2015, our two centres,

VSA Bedok and VSA Changi City Point, had an

enrolment of 107 students in 15 classes. With

the enrolment of twelve new students in our art

classes we had to open two new classes for low

functioning students under Teacher Susan Ong

and Teacher Francis Poon.

Following on our VOICES workshops for

Intellectually Disabled in November 2014, we

invited three students with intellectual disability

to attend regular art lessons every Friday, in

addition to their current art classes.

Starting in April 2015, we conducted two weekly

art classes at Bishan Home for the Intellectually

Disabled for 22 students. Teacher Francis Poon is

the instructor in charge of this programme.

VSA has scheduled art classes from April 2015

onwards at both centres; held on Tuesday,

Friday and Saturday.

VSA Students in class

Drawing for VSA (John Kennedy Centre) “Yo Soy...Je Suis...I Am...The Future”

Benefitting from Arts in Learning, Rehabilitation and Training (ALERT)

Our Programmes

During the March holidays, VSA also hosted several workshops:

Robots and Cars Workshop

During this workshop, the students painted on two flat pieces of

cupboard on the first session and turned them into a robot and a

car in the following session. Artist and Teacher Francis Poon was

the instructor for this workshop.

Colouring the cupboard Final model of F1 car Colourful robot

4

Listening to instructions

3D Tuk tuk

Voices Youth

Under the supervision of Enrichment Teacher Esther Tan, the

VOICES artists were asked to imagine situations where chairs

were involved. They came up with scenes and ideas that they

painted on canvas.

A few of them went to

an additional workshop at

Simplifi3D to learn how to

use 3D Pens in order to create

elements of their paintings.

Painting the art pieceFrom acting to canvas

Final ResultHalf of the Tuk Tuk is done Assembling the last pieces

Step-by-step creation

5

ALIVE’s objective is to empower people with disabilities to

obtain financial independence through arts and arts-creation.

The initiatives involved include the following activities:

Corporate Commissions

Many corporations and organisations commission VSA to

produce works of arts and performance by artists with disabilities

for their events. During the period from January to April 2015, we

benefited from the following commissions:

From The Social Collab Ltd for their sponsors. Our artist,

Ng Siang Hoi did the drawing which was reprinted onto 20 pieces

of tiles. Sale of artwork entitled “Have a Snooze” by artist Lee Mun

Benefitting from Arts for Livelihood and Employment (ALIVE)

6

Inaugural Arts and Disability Seminar by National Council of Social Service

VSA participated through a mini art exhibition and sales of artists’ artworks.

Mini art exhibition and sales of artists’ artworks

The Great Egg Venture at Sentosa HarbourFront, inaugurated last year, is Singapore Biggest Egg

Hunt. This year, as Singapore celebrates her Jubilee year, the organiser, Sentosa HarbourFront

Business Association (SHBA) has added a charity component by having a Charity Easter Auction

and Gala Dinner and the money raised will benefit VSA.

On Saturday, 18 April 2015, the SG50 Charity Easter Auction and Gala Dinner took place at

the Ocean Gallery, S.E.A. Aquarium, Resorts World Sentosa attended by 170 guests. The Guest

of Honour was none other than our Patron, Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-At-Large at the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore.

SG50 Charity Easter Auction and Gala Dinner

Our thanks to all the artists and volunteers for their great help and support for VSA

7

Fifty pieces of SG50 Commemorative Eggs

painted by various celebrities, and artists

with the theme “Perception of Singapore

Celebrating its 50th Birthday” was auctioned

online as well as during the Gala Dinner. The

result was a stunning display of artistic talents

in capturing the minds and hearts of the

participants, and their collective memories of

our beloved nation.

Professor Koh, arriving at the Ocean Gallery

The Forum, RWS from 14 March to 18 April

Artists Get-Together on 6 April

Andrew with VSA’s artists Stanley Tan (centre) and Raymond Lau (right)

8

Mrs Seah-Khoo Ee Boon, Chairman of SHBA and Professor Tommy Koh, GOH giving their speech

Adrian Pang – the Emcee The Gala Dinner

Token of Appreciation from SHBA to GOH Token of Appreciation from VSA to SHBA

9

Debra is an established Pan-Asian actress based in Singapore with a

long list of credentials to her name. She is a popular actress in Singapore

and Malaysian film and television. Her versatility and dedication have

won her many fans amongst her peers and public. A veteran actress,

she has been acting since she was a child, starting in children’s television

productions with Singapore Broadcasting Corporation, and theatre,

film and television productions in Hungary, China, New York, Germany,

Japan, India, Thailand and Malaysia.

Live Life Sunny Side Up! I love eggs. Love colours. Love the swirly whirly,

topsy turvy, funny, crazy side of life. Love blue. Love waves. Love the

ocean. Love sleep. Love dreams. Love the fantasical whimsical reverie

in the night. Laugh lots. Love life. Live Life. Paint an egg.

Aaron is a cheerful boy who loves to express himself through visual

arts, and always had a passion for art. Sketching various expressions

of cartoon characters, every sketch displays a reflection of his moods.

Through visiting places of interests and landmarks in Singapore and

overseas, Aaron relates his experiences on paper; every intricate

detail drawn are based on his memory. Because every piece should

be perfect, one flaw would make him discard the entire piece without

hesitation, and there after starting afresh on the same drawing.

Children Animals Enjoying Their Delicious Food While feasting on local

delights and western dishes, the baby animals are waiting eagerly for

Mr Giraffe to bring them a plate of Satay.

Graduating from Keele University with a degree in Law and Psychology,

Adrian spent the next eight years acting in the UK, where his theatre

credits include The Magic Fundoshi (Best Comedy at the London Fringe

Theatre Awards), and 13 other popular theatrical performances. His

Singapore stage work includes title roles in Hamlet and Macbeth and

eight other famous plays. At the Life! Theatre Awards, Adrian earned

Best Actor and Supporting Actor nominations for The Full Monty and

seven other remarkable theatre roles. He is also a three-time Best Actor

Award Winner, for The Dresser, Much Ado About Nothing, and Rabbit

Hole. Adrian and his wife Tracie are Artistic Directors of PANGDEMONi-

UM!, staging accomplished works such as The Full Monty, Closer, and

nine other theatrical plays since.

“Shell Shocked!” EGGSTRA-ORDiNARiLY SPECiAL!

ADRIAN PANG • Singapore

AARON JAMES YAP • Singapore

DEBRA TENG • Singapore

Eggs Still Available!These ten eggs are available for sale at VSA. Interested buyers can contact Cynthia at 66049431 or email cynthia@vsa.org.sg.

10

Melissa is an undergraduate majoring in Sociology at the National

University of Singapore who spends most of her time in lectures

doodling. She draws inspiration from cartoons and comics and

believes that one can never be too old for such things. She also

founded a little drawing interest group in Tembusu College that

focuses on illustration and painting.

“Singlish lah”

Singlish is a distinctive language any Singaporean would be able

to relate and connect with. The egg design provides a literal and

fun guide to this peculiar expression. As we commemorate 50

years of development, let us also celebrate this unique part of our

Singaporean identity!

Michael was born in Manila, Philippines 1970. Awarded 10th Prize in

YMCA-China town, Manila, Philippines Nationwide Still Life Painting

competition, High School Category (over 400 participants) in 1987. He

lived in Singapore since 1994 to work as an Architectural Designer and

establish his own design firm in 2000, Cu Fua Associates Pte Ltd.

“Solo” – 2015

“Solo”, focuses on a Japanese female manga character “IKU”.

“IKU” is a single mother, surrounded in a society of men who desire

her affection. She finds serenity in her solitude as she focuses on her

daughter and herself alone. Michael captures IKU on canvas as she

evokes the emotion of provocative serenity when she is “solo” at that

particular moment in her life journey.

Born in 1951 in Yugoslavia, Milenko graduated with a Master of Fine Arts

(Painting) from the Institute of Fine Arts in Bucharest, Romania. He is one

of the city’s foremost Art educators, and has been teaching at LASALLE

College of the Arts since 1994. He was Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts

for 17 years, and currently holds the position of Senior Fellow, Office of

the President. Milenko has exhibited extensively in Europe since 1971, with

numerous showcases in public spaces and galleries in Singapore since 1993.

Happy Life

I tried to reflect the multitude of colours seen in Singapore during festivals by

capturing and incorporating them on the egg. I invited my studio’s neighbours

in the Industrial Building Hiankgie to contribute each one with their finger prints,

as to create a very happy and animated design on the egg, symbolising the

deep sense of community and solidarity that reflect today’s society.

MELISSA LIM • Singapore

MICHAEL CU FUA • Singapore

MILENKO PRVACKI • Singapore

11

Ilhan is a bubbly, funny and sometimes mischievous boy. He loves to

draw, spell words and collect toy cars. Studying at the Metta School,

he has a brother and sister whom he enjoys playing with. Developing

a certain fascination for Malay weddings, Ilhan enjoys drawing them;

he also likes to perform the traditional Javanese Kuda Kepang and

plays Kompang, the traditional Malay drums.

Orang Kawan “A Malay Wedding”

I enjoy weddings. It is a festive occasion with lots of delicious food.

I enjoy the kompang because of the joyous vibe. I have been to

weddings at Jurong, Upper Serangoon, Tampines and many more.

Tan Kok Leong, a quadriplegic, is a mouth painter with the Mouth and Foot

Painting Association. He started painting in 1989, after an unfortunate lion

dance accident left him a quadriplegic. Kok Leong supports his family by

painting portraitures and Chinese ink paintings. Kok Leong has received

portraiture commissions from INSEAD, Maybank and Mobile One. Kok

Leong had his first small group exhibition at MacPherson Community

Centre in 2001 and was a finalist at the Tan Szee Chor Art Competition in 2001.

Garden City

Even though it is just a little red dot on the map, Singapore is one of

the world-developed countries. Being one of the ten corruption-free

countries in the world, Singapore is known for its beautiful garden city,

further enhanced by the recently built garden park in the Marina Bay area.

Xiaow Jun is currently a student of Tembusu College, majoring in

Communications and New Media in NUS. She is very passionate about

visual art and in her free time, Xiaow Jun enjoys making art and viewing art

exhibitions. She also volunteers with the Animal Concerns Research and

Education Society (ACRES) because she is very fond of reptiles, especially

tortoises and terrapins.

Recollection

Despite our progress, we must reflect and reminisce about everyday

things that constitute our shared memories. These bind us as a nation

emotionally and psychologically. The images painted here were places of

interaction laden with strong social and cultural values. The Chinese motifs

of the bat, Qilin, magpie, and rooster, signifying prosperity, happiness, and

auspiciousness for Singapore.

MUHAMMAD ILHAN BIN ZULKIFLI ROKHIM • Singapore

TAN KOK LEONG • Singapore

TANG XIAOW JUN • Singapore

12

Teresa suffers from Paraplegia. She started her journey as an artist

after attending art lessons conducted at the Handicaps Welfare

Association. Up till today, Teresa still goes for art lessons to constantly

upgrade herself. As the saying goes, it is never too late to learn, this

can be seen from Teresa’s attitude towards art.

Racial Harmony

Four races to represent Singapore as a united nation. As citizens of

Singapore, we pledge as one united people, regardless of race,

language or religion to build a democratic society based on justice

and equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for

our nation.

TERESA TAN • Singapore

Benefitting from Arts in Dance, Drama and Music for Everyone (ADD-ME)

Integrated Development Programme (IDP)

Incorporating story-telling, drawing, singing and games, this fun and enriching three-stage yoga

course commenced on 21 January 2015 and will continue for 21 weeks. Adapted for special needs

participants, it is conducted by Playground Of Joy and is based on a white-child learning philosophy

that is inclusive and engaging. It employs an integrative approach using proven techniques of

yoga, play and mindfulness as therapy for physical, emotional and mental development. It also

targets multiple intelligences like musical, verbal and visual through activities like storytelling, music,

art, reading, writing and play. Stage 2 of the IDP started on 5 April 2015 and will end on 17 May 2015.

Reaching for the stars!

Participants practising the cat pose

Warming up with a little dance

13

DISCOVERING MUSIC! - ENIGMA VARIATIONS: a classical music concert by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

An introduction of Edward Elgar

Looking forward to the show!

The Singapore Symphony

Orchestra staged a classical

music concert on Sunday,

1 February 2015 from 4 pm to

5 pm at the Victoria Concert

Hall. The Orchestra performed

one of the most popular

orchestral works of all time, the

Enigma Variations by English

composer Edward Elgar, and

VSA beneficiaries were invited

to enjoy the concert.

14

Origami and Story-Acting Holiday Workshop

During the March school holidays, two workshops were conducted at VSA Art Space @ Changi:

Origami and Story-Acting Holiday Workshop (in collaboration with Catholic Junior College)

and a Hip Hop Dance Holiday Workshop.

Participants of our three-day hip hop dance workshop held from

17 to 19 March 2015 learnt a dynamic hip hop dance routine to

The Black Eyed Peas - The Time and performed it for their family

and friends on the last day.

Participants and volunteers sharing their joy with their caregivers after the show-case

In this workshop held on 16 March 2015, participants created origamis and masks of

characters from The Three Little Pigs. They then used their art pieces to tell and act out the

story, performing for family and friends at the end of the session. Participants also took home

their artworks.

Making their very own props! Practising their roles for the sharing session

Hip Hop Dance Holiday Workshop

Participants getting into the groove!

Giving each other congratulatory high-fives after the showcase

15

Our Projects

Welcome to My World 2015

VSA annual concert “Welcome to My World 2015” was staged on Sunday, 14 June 2015 at 4.00

pm at The Republic Cultural Centre Theatre. The Guest-of-Honour was Mr Lawrence Wong,

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and Second Minister for Communications and

Information. This was organised in partnership with Republic Polytechnic CREATE CLUB and

supported by the National Arts Council. The national concert by people with disabilities aimed

to showcase the best in performing arts by artists with disabilities. Some of the highlights of the

concert were as follows:

Azariah Tan, a deaf pianist, who was the winner of the senior category of the 2009 National

Piano Competition and currently pursuing a doctoral degree in piano at the University of

Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Redeafination

Stephanie Ow Azariah Tan

Stephanie Ow, who was born

blind, started learning Erhu four

years ago and is now playing

with the Singapore Chinese

Youth Orchestra.

Redeafination, a Hip Hop dance

group for the Deaf, is a regular

performer at our concert and

has participated in various

mainstream dance festivals like

the Yfest @ Esplanade and the

1st 4Flo Hip Hop Festival.

16

Sculpture Carnival: Once Upon A Time

VSA has been named as the beneficiary of the Sculpture Square Carnival, organised by the

Sculpture Society (Singapore). The event was part of the Singapore Arts Week and was held

from 17 to 18 January 2015 at The Foothills @ Fort Canning Park where VSA was given a booth to

operate. There were hands-on workshops and activities by 11 organisations where children, teens

and adult could participate. The two-day event attracted participation from a few hundred visitors.

Warm response on event day Visitors enquired at VSA booth Sculpture competition works

Our students got the chance to try their hands at playing the violin

Music Appreciation through Drama Workshop

With Drama Teacher Sofia Khanafie and SSO Musicians Tan Wee-Hsin and Lillian Wang: 3 June 2015,

2:00 pm to 4.30 pm, VSA Art Space @ Changi City Point

17

SG50 My Singapore My Country - VSA Annual Art Exhibition and Sales

Exhibition: 6 to 12 August 2015 @ Raffles City

Voices Exhibitions

For the fourth consecutive year, VOICES: Expressions of Young VSA Artists returns with two

showcases in July. Each artwork presented will be a bridge that connects our young

artists to the community.

Exhibitions: 3 to 16 July and 24 July to 5 August 2015 @ Changi City Point

Guest of Honour for Voices Exhibition held on 3 July 2015: Mr Ahmad Marshadi, Head, NUS

Museum and Senior Associate Director, NUS Centre for the Arts

Guest of Honour for Voices Exhibition held on 24 July 2015: Ms Ku Geok Boon, CEO, SG

Enable

SG50 My Singapore My Country - VSA Annual Art Competition and Exhibition for Children and Youth with Special Needs

Launch of the competition: 8 May 2015Pre competition workshops: 26 and 28 May 2015 Deadline for entries from different special needs schools and VSA students: 31 July 2015 Judging Day: 17 to 21 August 2015 Art Exhibition: 18 to 27 September 2015 @ Forum, The Shopping MallGuest of Honour for Art Exhibition: Ms Denise Phua, Member of Parliament, Moulmein-Kallang GRC and Mayor of Central Singapore District

New Literary Programme

Soft Launch: 30 May 2015 at VSA@ Changi City PointFirst literary class: July to September 2015

Citi-YMCA Youth For Causes (YFC)

Jointly organised by Citibank and YMCA, it is a community initiative to help promote social entrepreneurship and community leadership development among Singapore youths by providing a platform for them to execute self-initiated projects for social causes. VSA is one of the participating VWOs. The project implementation period will be conducted in 15 weeks from 21 May to 13 September 2015. The selected 100 YFC 2015 teams will conduct their respective activities in various locations all over Singapore. Schools, communities and general public are welcome to support them throughout the whole process.

Coming soon……

18

Contact usVery Special Arts Singapore Ltd (VSA)

Block 133 Bedok North Avenue 3#01-138 Singapore 460133Tel: 6448 6275

Email: general@vsa.org.sgFacebook: www.facebook.com/vsa.singaporeURL: www.vsa.org.sg

5 Changi Business Park Central 1#03-01, Changi City Point, Singapore 486038Tel: 6604 9431

The Social Services Scene

Tax Deduction of 2.5/3 Times the Amount of Donation made from 2015 to 2018

1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015

In conjunction with SG50, the Government has decided to increase the tax deduction

for qualifying donations from 250% to 300% of the amount of donation made in 2015. The

300% deduction for donations made from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015 will be

allowed to all existing qualifying donors.

1 January 2016 to 31 December 2018

To continue building a stronger sense of community, the Government has also decided

to extend the 250% tax deduction for qualifying donations for another three years, i.e.

from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2018.

Care & Share @ SG50 Movement

Care & Share is a national fund-raising and volunteerism movement led by Community

Chest for the social service sector, in celebration of SG50 this year. It aims to bring

our nation together to show care and concern for the needy and recognise the

contributions made by voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs). Eligible donations raised

by Community Chest and participating VWOs from now till 31 Mar 2016 will be matched

dollar-for-dollar by the government. The matched amount will go towards building the

capabilities and capacities of the social service sector and supporting social services

to meet rising needs. The Care and Share Grant is to be used by 31 December 2019.

Should you have any feedback on the newsletter, please do send us an email.

Editorial Team:Magesvary Tana Govalan Andrew LiewJudy Lim

19

We would like to support TAPESTRY OF HOPE: AN EVENING OF CHAMBER MUSIC IN SUPPORT OF VERY SPECIAL ARTS SINGAPORE in the following ways:

Make a pledge of $ for concert tickets at $500 per ticket (Category 1) Make an outright donation of $ Make a sponsorship of $ for concert tickets for VSA’s beneficiaries and caregivers Others

Total amount pledged/donated:

Please issue a cheque made payable to “Very Special Arts Singapore Ltd”, and post it together with this reply slip to Very Special Arts Singapore Ltd, Blk 133 Bedok North Ave 3 01-138, Singapore 460133.

To be eligible for tax deduction, please provide the following information for our submission to IRAS:

For individuals:Full Name: NRIC/FIN number: Contact and email:

For corporations:Full Company Name: UEN number: Name of contact person: Contact and email:

Thank you very much for your generous contribution.

Name of cardholder

NRIC/FIN Number

Card type (please circle) VISA / MasterCard / American Express / JCB Card / Diners

Credit/Debit Card Number

Card Expiry (mm/yy)

Contact Number

Number of Tickets

Cat 1 ($158) : Cat 2 ($128) : Cat 3 ($98) : Cat 4 ($68) :

*please note that there is a SISTIC booking fee of $4 for every ticket priced above $40

For group bookings through VSA, please provide us with your details as follows and we will reserve the tickets for you which can be collected at the ticketing booth on the day of the show:

REPLY SLIP

VSA Charity Concert“Tapestry of Hope: an evening of chamber music”: 5 July 2015, 7.30 pm @ SOTA

Featuring acclaimed musicians Azariah Tan (piano), Tan Wee-Hsin (viola) and Lillian Wang (violin)

Tickets are priced at $68, $98, $128 and $158. For group bookings and enquiries, contact Wilkson (temp@vsa.org.sg), Shin Ni (shinni@vsa.org.sg) or call 66049431.