At Chalk N Pencils, our mission is to inspire a love for art in every child. We believe that art is a powerful way to explore and understand different cultures. This Chinese New Year, we’re excited to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with a special art project that introduces children to the beautiful world of Chinese brush painting. Through this project, we aim to blend creativity with cultural learning, making it a memorable experience for our young artists.
Chinese New Year is a time of joy, family reunions, and rich traditions. At Chalk N Pencils, we celebrate this festive season with art projects that allow children to explore and express these cultural elements. This year, our project focuses on creating scenes from a traditional Chinese New Year family reunion dinner, giving children the chance to connect with their heritage and express their creativity.
Chinese New Year and Cultural Exposure
Chinese New Year is one of the most important festivals in Chinese culture. It marks the beginning of the lunar new year and is celebrated with various customs and traditions. At Chalk N Pencils, we aim to expose children to these customs through engaging art projects.
The Year of the Dragon
The dragon is a powerful symbol in Chinese culture, representing strength, good fortune, and auspiciousness. The Year of the Dragon is particularly special, and our project includes creating articulated dragon artworks.
Children design and craft their own dragons, learning about the significance of this mythical creature. This hands-on project helps them appreciate the cultural importance of dragons and sparks their imagination. They learn about different types of dragons, such as the celestial dragon that guards the heavenly palace, and the dragon of prosperity that brings wealth and success.
- Favourite Foods: Children draw dishes like dumplings, fish, and rice cakes, learning about their significance in Chinese culture. For instance, fish (yú) is a symbol of surplus and prosperity.
- Family and Zodiac Signs: They also include family members and their respective zodiac signs, understanding the importance of these symbols. This activity helps children connect with their own family’s traditions and stories.
- Decorations: The project features traditional decorations such as lanterns and couplets, which children learn to create and understand their meanings. Red lanterns symbolize good fortune, while couplets are used to express wishes for the coming year.
Family Reunion Dinner
The family reunion dinner is a central event during Chinese New Year. It’s a time when families gather to share a meal and celebrate togetherness. In our art project, children create vibrant scenes that depict their favourite foods, family members, and traditional decorations.
- Favourite Foods: Children draw dishes like dumplings, fish, and rice cakes, learning about their significance in Chinese culture. For instance, fish (yú) is a symbol of surplus and prosperity.
- Family and Zodiac Signs: They also include family members and their respective zodiac signs, understanding the importance of these symbols. This activity helps children connect with their own family’s traditions and stories.
- Decorations: The project features traditional decorations such as lanterns and couplets, which children learn to create and understand their meanings. Red lanterns symbolize good fortune, while couplets are used to express wishes for the coming year.
The Art of Chinese Brush Painting
Chinese brush painting, or Zhōngguó huà (中國畫), is a traditional art form that dates back thousands of years. Known for its delicate brushwork, rich symbolism, and the use of ink and watercolours, this art form offers a unique way to express beauty and emotion. At Chalk N Pencils, we incorporate Chinese brush painting into our curriculum to give children a taste of Chinese culture while honing their artistic skills.
Key Elements of Chinese Brush Painting
- Ink and Brush: The primary tools are a brush and ink, which create bold yet nuanced strokes. Children learn the importance of controlling the brush to achieve different effects.
- Brush Strokes: Mastery of different brush strokes is crucial. Each stroke can convey different textures and emotions, from a bamboo leaf’s fine lines to a dragon’s sweeping curves.
- Symbolism: Chinese art is rich in symbolism. Common themes include nature, animals, and mythical creatures like dragons. Each element in a painting can have a deeper meaning, such as the plum blossom representing perseverance.
- Themes and Subjects: Children learn to depict traditional subjects such as bamboo, plum blossoms, and landscapes. These subjects teach them not only about art but also about the cultural values they represent.
Historical Context
Chinese brush painting has a rich history that dates back to the Han Dynasty. Over the centuries, it evolved through various dynasties, each contributing new techniques and styles. Famous artists like Qi Baishi and Xu Beihong have left an indelible mark on this art form, inspiring generations of artists.
Tips for Parents: Introducing Chinese Culture to Children
Introducing children to different cultures can be enriching and fun. Here are some practical tips for parents to help their children explore Chinese culture:
- Engage in Cultural Activities and Celebrations: Participate in Chinese New Year events, dragon boat festivals, and other cultural celebrations. These experiences provide a rich sensory experience and a deeper understanding of traditions.
- Read Books and Watch Films: Share stories and movies about Chinese culture to pique their interest. Books like “The Great Race” by Dawn Casey and films like “Mulan” can be both educational and entertaining.
- Participate in Local Chinese Festivals and Events: Attend local festivals to experience Chinese traditions firsthand. This can include watching lion dances, visiting temple fairs, and enjoying traditional performances.
- Visit Cultural Landmarks and Museums: Explore museums and cultural centres that feature Chinese art and history. Places like the Asian Civilisations Museum offer exhibitions that can be both educational and inspiring.
Conclusion
Our Chinese New Year art project offers children a unique opportunity to learn about Chinese culture while expressing their creativity. Through activities like brush painting and dragon crafting, they gain a deeper appreciation for cultural traditions and artistic techniques. We invite you to book a trial class at Chalk N Pencils and let your children experience the joy of art and cultural discovery.
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Just had an ART-ful birthday party session for my 7 year old's birthday at Chalks and Pencils at New Bahru. They made the enquiry and booking process so seamless and easy. The studio space is large and inviting and Priscilia and her team were really well skilled at handling the 13 children. They were well organised and guided the children patiently and expertly. The children were so happy with their finished artwork and it was also packaged nicely for them to bring it back home. My daughter and her friends had a truly enjoyable art session. Location is excellent, especially as it was a drop off session and the other parents could wait at the many cafes and restaurants in the building. The birthday girl declared it as, the best party ever!
Beautiful studio! I made a last minute request to accommodate 10 children for a birthday party and Priscilla was extremely helpful. It was a very pleasant and worry free experience.During the party, teachers were experienced and patient. The kids enjoyed themselves!
Studio was very bright and inviting, the teachers were so helpful and welcoming - even though my child was probably way below the appropriate painting age, they helped to find ways for him to participate. Thank you!!
Highly recommended a family painting session by Priscilla. My family of 3 had a wonderful morning bonding over painting.. with her magical strokes she’s able to transform our bits and pieces into an art piece.
I enjoyed the portrait drawing session, it brought back memories of my art school days. I loved the cozy studio space and look forward to joining the next life drawing session!
Lovely experience. Would highly recommend. Relaxing and help on hand if needing advice. Will definitely go back
Had arranged a Sanrio painting small birthday gathering for my daughters and their friends recently. The children had a blast and enjoyed painting their favourite Sanrio characters.The arts studio is clean and activities were well organised. There were numerous cafe options for the parents to hang out as well while waiting. There is another outlet in Joo chiat as well.
We had great fun drawing and painting the shophouses with lovely wine and nibbles.
Came for a wine and paint evening, they were brilliant. Highly recommended 👌
Amazing knowledge and really patient towards my inability to paint! Highly recommend them!!!
Had an enjoyable experience at a guided live portrait drawing session at Chalk and Pencil. It was my first portrait drawing experience and Ms Priscilia was very patient in guiding me throughout the session. Highly recommend Chalk n Pencil if you are looking to explore new techniques 🙂
We recently celebrated our son's birthday at Chalk n Pencils, New Bahru. It was a hot wheels-themed party requested by the birthday boy. All thanks to Priscilia, the founder's creative ideas, as well as her team's mock-up in the preparation stages, the actual day turned up awesome despite some initial hiccups. The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves and even brought home their handmade and designed craftwork which looked legitly like the real deal!
We absolutely love the art class conducted by Ms Kheng! Ms Kheng is incredibly patient and nurturing, creating a welcoming environment that allows our toddlers to explore their creativity without any pressure. Each class is filled with imaginative art projects that incorporate a fantastic mix of media, which keeps our toddlers engaged and excited to create.What I especially appreciate is how the activities not only foster creativity but also provide a wonderful sensory experience. The projects are designed to help develop their motor skills, making learning fun and interactive. It’s amazing to see their confidence grow as they experiment with different materials.Overall, this art class has been a fantastic experience for our toddlers, and we can't recommend it enough!
Held a birthday party there for the girls and everyone had a blast. Pris was very helpful from the start with the ideation and concept of what can be done. Very lovely place as well!
We had a birthday party at Chalk n Pencils (New Bahru) recently and the children definitely enjoyed the craft session! Priscilia is very patient, confident and skilled in handling the kids. She kept the mood light hearted and was very engaging throughout the entire session.The whole process of organising the party was easy and fuss-free. The studio is bright and inviting. 10/10 recommend for anyone looking for an art party session!
Chalk n Pencils' beautiful new space at New Bahru provides a conducive space for art making and is a good place to soothe your soul. Workshops and classes are conducted by artists and one thing you can count on is that Ms Kheng always uses quality materials in her studio.Attended a rubber stamp carving workshop yesterday for Design Week and really enjoyed myself. Strongly recommend anyone who is around the area to pop by and take a look. There's also a corner where you can shop!
I attended a stamp carving workshop as a part of Singapore Design Week. Priscilla is a talented artist who loves sharing her knowledge, and is a natural teacher. It was also lovely to meet others in the class and chat in a relaxed and casual setting.
A beautifully designed studio on the 4th floor of New Bahru, Chalk n Pencils is a lovely respite from the bustle of Singapore for some quiet and restful artmaking. We attended Priscillia's stamp carving workshop as part of Singapore Design Week and had so much fun. She was patient, approachable, and skilled. Looking forward to more artful experiences at Chalk n Pencils! 🙂
Sessions at Chalk N Pencils are fun with a great ambience for creation. Priscilla has been very gracious hosting events and was incredible with sharing tips and tricks in her workshops
I took a rubber carving class, and it was a fantastic experience! The instructor was patient and knowledgeable, making it easy for beginners to follow along. I loved the hands-on approach, and by the end, I created a detailed design I didn’t think was possible. The class had a fun, relaxed atmosphere, and the small size allowed for personal attention. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to try something new
I took a rubber carving class, and it was a fantastic experience! The instructor was patient and knowledgeable, making it easy for beginners to follow along. I loved the hands-on approach, and by the end, I created a detailed design I didn’t think was possible. The class had a fun, relaxed atmosphere, and the small size allowed for personal attention. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to try something new
Thanks Priscilla for teaching us how to use the stamp carving tools safely for different effects and steps during today’s workshop. 👍 Appreciate the suggestions to improve the design to make it more interesting.The New Bahru studio also has a lot of creative works around for a relaxing and inspiring environment.
My friend and I went for the stamp carving session this weekend and we had the best time. Priscilia was very patient and helpful in guiding us through the tools and process.Now I’m considering taking the adult painting class!
I recently took my kid to Chalk n Pencils @ New Bahru during our vacation, and we had an amazing experience! The studio is bright and inviting, filled with all kinds of creative supplies. The instructors are incredibly friendly and encouraging, helping the kids explore their creativity in a fun way. My child loved the variety of projects available, from painting to crafting.The atmosphere is relaxed, and it's clear that the staff genuinely care about nurturing the kids' artistic talents. My kid left with huge smiles and their own masterpieces! We’re dropping by during our vacation, and we can’t wait to see if it opens up near our neighborhood! We’ll definitely be returning for more classes and events. Highly recommend for any young artist!
We had a wonderful experience with Priscilia. Before we even started, she took the time to brainstorm ideas with us, considering the setting of our new home to ensure the painting would be a perfect fit. During the session, she expertly guided me, my husband, and our 3-year-old boy through various techniques to achieve different strokes. It’s definitely not easy to involve a young child in painting, but she managed to engage our son, allowing him to contribute to some areas of the artwork. Her friendly and pleasant demeanor made the whole experience enjoyable, and we're absolutely thrilled with the outcome. We can't wait to display it in our home!
Recently attended a guided live portrait drawing session at Chalk N Pencils, and it was a fantastic experience! The studio's ambiance is both welcoming and inspiring, creating the perfect environment for creativity. The instructor, Ms Priscilia, was incredibly skilled and provided clear, insightful guidance and demos throughout the session, helping me improve my techniques and confidence in drawing with charcoal. If you're looking for a great place to enhance your art skills, I highly recommend Chalk N Pencils. They hold different types of live sessions too like figure drawing as well as still life! It’s an exceptional blend of instruction, artistry, and a supportive community!
My daughter loves their art classes. Ms Priscilla is patient and really has deep knowledge on art. She makes art fun for people. She also helped us with our family painting which we hang proudly in our living room now! ❤️
Truly Meow-Mazing to do the Gabby dollhouse art jamming party for my girl’s 8th yr bday party with Chalk N Pencils! It was fuss-free during the planning and discussing the event details , easy to communicate and my queries were addressed promptly. On the actual day, the set-up was done bythe team swiftly and thankful for Chalk N Pencils to provide all materials , furniture and pleased to have 3 staff to oversee , teach and guide the 10 kiddoz on their jamming 😃. The kiddoz enjoyed the painting , learning new art skills and have lots of fun during the party. A small twist of event that we weren’t able to have it at the new studio , but all went well we had the party at our place which made the event accessible and convenient to us and our little guests.
Did 10 sessions of adult coaching classes to improve my watercolour painting skills and Pris was really patient with me. She gave a lot of guidance and also helped to correct some mistakes in my pieces. This was very important to me in looking for a good teacher and I learnt a lot. The school also organises ad-hoc outdoor painting and sketching classes which helped me connect with other like-minded people and improve my skills beyond just watercolour. Classes were fun, affordable and flexible. Unfortunately, I’ve to leave the country for work, otherwise, I would’ve continued! Thanks to Pris and the rest of the teachers for an amazing time, I hope to be back soon!
The children have been taking art classes here for half a year and have improved a lot in their painting and coloring skills.We love the small class sizes here. The teachers are patient and possess pure art professional skills and experience. There is no need to worry about children being crammed and losing the collaboration and originality of artistic creation.In the child's works, I saw a lot of her own creative concepts and ideas, and the use of art materials is also quite diversified. I can see the hard work of the teacher team! My children look forward to going to art class every week😊Recommended for parents who want their children to immerse themselves in art creation!
My kids love their art classes here.. teacher are warm and caring.. the art lesson really is enriching and enjoyable..
Alexa loves going for art class at Chalk n Pencils every week. She looks forward to learning different techniques for the various art pieces and is always proud to show me her results. The teachers are very patient with her as she tends to overthink and become slower in the creation process. The older sister also enjoys the various workshops/camps during the holidays and looks forward to them year on year!
My kid totally loves their art class at Chalk n pencils . The teacher makes art super fun for the little ones. The kids learn techniques and get creative in a relaxed setting. My kiddo looks forward to class and has become an awesome little artist thanks to all the encouragement to use their imagination. I'd definitely say check out this art class!
My 6yo son has been attending weekly art classes at Chalk N Pencils for almost 2 years now, and he has been enjoying his time there thoroughly. The projects are interesting and varied, new techniques are taught to him, and the teachers allow him to incorporate his interest areas into the artwork. He thinks of it as his happy place. Highly recommended!
My daughter has gone to a few of their classes and has always enjoyed yourself.The art camp has very interesting themes and the teachers are friendly and patient
We chance upon Chalk n Pencil @ Sunshine Plaza and notice their Holiday Camp program. As my son is “extraordinary” I was concerned initially of him being able to adapt to the programs . The staff approached us and explained to us the programs and reassured us they would be able to accept him as long as we parents be truthful about his conditions .My son attended a 3 days program at their Katong outlet (2 Artists Impressed Painting & 1 Pokeball Sculpture)My husband & I were surprised when we received a mid day update on his art work progress as well as a final day artwork . The staff had also been very professional and courteous.Would definitely be signing up my son for their future programs and recommend others too .
I sent my daughter here for a couple weeks of art camps during her school holiday. She had a wonderful time and made several nice paintings and sculptures. One of them has become her most cherished possession, and she proudly shows it to everyone who visits our home.I like how some of these art camp activities got her interested in fine art. She's in love with impressionism now, and she has been begging me to take her to see some famous impressionist paintings in person. I also appreciate how she was fed decent quality lunches while she attended, for other kids activities feature junk food far too often.Overall, I think the Chalk n Pencils art camps are good wholesome fun, and I would definitely send my daughter back.
Highly recommend this place for kids. My daughter has been there since 4-5 years old and now my younger son is also going weekly. It’s their favorite class and love going there every week
Teacher Shasha is very patient and friendly. My son (4.5 years old) enjoys his weekly art class at chalk n pencil. He has already picked up a few art technique and has great improvement in cutting with scissors.
My son has been with Chalk and Pencil for 3 years. We can clearly see his improvement. The teachers are experienced and patient and my son enjoys his experience. His recent work, as a 7 year old.
Chalk n Pencils is located at sunshine plaza which is centralised and very convenient. Miss Thi and Miss Giselle is friendly and provided professional guidance throughout the art jamming session. It’s all our first time, and we are not sure of what to expect and draw. However, Miss Thi and Miss Giselle explained patiently and helped us with the colour combination. The art studio is well equipped with many colours and tools. We all enjoyed the session and had lots of fun! Thank you all for providing us an awesome experience 🙂
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