My interest in Art Jamming has been on the rise especially when I have seen multiple posts over the years from friends and colleagues doping art jamming for fun. Finally, an opportunity arose when I was tasked with booking a session to celebrate the birthday of my niece
I did quite a bit of research before deciding on Arteastiq at Mandarin Gallery and some of the main reasons boil down to the location and pricing. Each session of art jam costs SGD 48 and lasts for 3 hours. You will be provided with all the necessary materials to paint as well as 1 drink which is included in the package
The art jam space is just next to the cafe so you can also grab a bite next door during the duration of the 3 hours allocated. The floor is artistically plastered with paint left behind by all the customers and according to the staff, these are mainly left by kids
The whole space can sit up to 25 to 30 persons at one time and can accommodate corporate team-building sessions or children’s parties. Each participant is allocated a seat in front of the metal easel which has a 50 x 50 cm canvas, a bucket of water, a packet of new brushes in different sizes and a disposable palette to put the paints as well as a pencil and eraser for drafting your painting. They have also provided cloth bins for you to put in your bags and other belongings to prevent them from getting dirty. A variety of acrylic paints are available for usage but only in base colors so you can mix them for the tone you prefer for your work
Do note that there is no assistance and it is purely up to your own creativity for creating the artwork. You can ask the staff for help with materials or ordering drinks but you are pretty much on your own. I chatted with the staff about how to create certain looks or layering in the paintings and they shared some techniques based on what they noticed from other painters. We started off sketching the idea we had in mind before proceeding to use the acrylic paints on the canvas
I personally loved the experience as it was very calm and relaxing and it felt good to touch base with my inner creativity. There is no right and wrong and any work can be a masterpiece as you can tell I made last-minute changes to my painting changing it from a beach scene to a scene in a field. I find the 3-hour duration just nice as you have time to readjust your painting or even layer on different colours. We even had time to slip next door for lunch and come back to continue painting
The price of SGD 48 was considered pretty affordable since it included one drink and the canvas which is of good quality and full usage of all the materials in the studio for 3 hours. You can bring home the brushes and your work at the end of the session and they will pack up your painting in a cardboard carrier which conceals your painting so you don’t have to be embarrassed carrying it home
They do have concession prices during weekdays for students and seniors at SGD 28 only as well as a one-for-one deal for customers celebrating their birthday. You can check their website for details here as they have other weekday deals like ladies’ paint for SGD38 on Weds. You have to make a booking selecting any of their fixed 3-hour sessions for the timing you prefer on their website and payment is collected at the studio itself. The staff did mention the sessions are highly popular during school holidays so do book well in advance
Address: 333A Orchard Rd, #04-14/15 Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897
Art Jamming timing: 11 am to 2 pm, 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm
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