If you’re an art enthusiast or are looking for unique things to do over the weekend, you might want to check out the Yellow Ribbon Community Arts Festival at Gardens By The Bay. It’s held on weekends between 5th-13th Nov 2022 and is organised by the Yellow Ribbon Project, which helps ex-offenders reintegrate into society through skills development programmes.
The event not only features original artwork, pottery, and poetry by inmates, Halfway House supervisees and ex-offenders, but also includes live music performances by ex-offenders and arts and crafts workshops. Oh, and they have booths that sell merch and baked goods too, so you can treat yourself while helping to support ex-offenders.
The first workshop is aptly named “What does Home look like” – an arts and crafts workshop held from 1pm-3pm on 5th and 12th Nov 2022 where participants can sketch and build models of their ideal homes.
Parents can bring their kids down and spend some quality time while constructing unique crafts with glue and colour pencils. Meanwhile, couples who have already BTO-ed can even take this chance to start planning the layout of their new home.
The program benefits ex-offenders as it is conducted by volunteers from CANVAS, a support group for ex-offenders who were trained in visual arts programmes while in prison. This gives the ex-offenders a chance to build confidence while honing skills for their future jobs.
The second workshop is a crocheting class that is happening from 4pm-6pm on weekends between 5th-13th Nov 2022. You’ll get a chance to learn the basics of crocheting and make your own heart design out of yarn, which will then be attached to a postcard.
You can then dedicate a message to anyone whom you feel deserves a second chance. This helps offer encouragement and affirmation to help those working hard to achieve their goals, particularly inmates, supervisees, or ex-offenders who are trying to rehabilitate and reintegrate themselves into society.
The last workshop is a Mondrian painting workshop taking place on 13th Nov 2022, 1pm-3pm. Participants will be guided on visualising and tracing a route that they travel to and fro regularly on a canvas, which will then be painted in Mondrian colours like red, yellow, and blue.
“What does Home look like” workshop
Admission: Free
Dates: 5th November 2022, 12th November 2022
Time: 1pm-3pm
Venue: Cannonball room
Basic crocheting workshop
Admission: Free
Dates: 5th-6th November 2022, 12th-13th November 2022
Time: 4pm-6pm
Venue: Cannonball room
Mondrian painting Workshop
Admission: Free
Dates: 13th November 2022
Time: 1pm-3pm
Venue: Cannonball room
Sticking closely to the theme of “Home”, this year’s exhibition at the North Colonnade not only showcases artwork but includes pottery and poetry crafted by inmates, Halfway House supervisees, and ex-offenders as well. These were made with the help of pro-social support groups.
You can expect to see personal depictions of the meaning of home from different inmates, created under the guidance of professionals at the Visual Arts Hub. And since the art also expresses their desire to reconnect with loved ones, this makes the exhibition a truly intimate experience.
Pertapis Halfway House and Breakthrough Mission played on the first weekend, and The Yellow Ribbon PAC Alumni band will be performing the following weekend.
Aside from the exhibition, there will be live music performances from 3pm-4pm at The Canopy by The Yellow Ribbon Performing Arts Centre (PAC) Alumni band.
Since this group of veteran musicians will be performing original songs written by band members, they’re more than just a cover band. Plus, you’ll be treated to heartfelt lyrics that reflect their journey in rejoining society and giving back.
Live music performances
Dates: 5th-6th November 2022, 12th-13th November 2022
Time: 6pm-7pm
Venue: The Canopy
If you’re feeling snacky or are looking for other ways to contribute to the program, drop by the booths situated between the North Colonnade and Cannonball Room. They’ll have some baked goods and merchandise on sale where you can grab yourself some treats.
You can indulge in freshly baked Cornflake Butter Biscuits ($15), Chocolate Chip Cookies ($15), and Cranberry Cinnamon Cookies ($10) that are crispy and aromatic with a flavourful core. Or take your pick of items like tote bags (from $18) and Ez-Link cards ($10) that are printed with paintings done by inmates from the Visual Arts Hub.
There are also other items on sale (from $5) like quilling cards, magnets, and beaded crafts alongside glass plates and handmade pouches that you can buy from the booths. All profits will go towards rehabilitation and reintegration programs, so you know that you’re making more than a simple purchase and are directly supporting ex-offenders as well.
Baked goods and merchandise booths
Dates: 5th-6th November 2022, 12th-13th November 2022
Time: 1pm-7pm
Venue: Between the North Colonnade and Cannonball Room
Whether you’re an art lover or not, this exhibition is certainly worth a visit over the weekend, with plenty of events for everyone to enjoy.
The workshops are the perfect place for parents to help teach kids about the importance of values like acceptance and open-mindedness. Meanwhile, couples and friend groups can spend the afternoon enjoying the special live music and exhibits which are a great way of advocating that everyone deserves a second chance.
This post was brought to you by Singapore Prison Service.
Photography by Afiqah Amir.
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