The Art Faculty has famous customers – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s wife Ho Ching sported a dinosaur motif pouch and clutch created by one of its artists at international events – but it had humble beginnings.
Run by the Autism Resource Centre (ARC) Singapore, the retail store, which now incorporates a cafe and an art gallery, started out as a shop in Pathlight School selling books, uniform and stationery.
While its students might have special needs, Ms Jacelyn Lim, deputy executive director said the Art Faculty’s intention was not to attract support out of pity and compassion. Rather, it was to launch high-quality products and services that also give consumers the opportunity to support the talents of its artists.
Today, The Art Faculty has more than 900 products created by 40 artists, a mix of current Pathlight students and alumni, who receive royalties. With the help of its parent charity, ARC’s Employability and Employment Centre, it also has four special needs staff members.
One of them is 23-year-old Caleb Lim, an alumnus of Pathlight, who is a barista in the cafe at the flagship store at Enabling Village in Lengkok Bahru. Customers can give him smiley stickers for good service, which he can then collect and redeem for a free drink.
While working with autistic individuals might not always be easy, ARC’s creative director Victor Ong said they just need more understanding and patience.
For former Pathlight student Sean Bay, now in his second year at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, coming up with designs for merchandise – such as sustainable straw sets and candles – is a way for him to say he belongs.
Read more here.
Source: The Straits Times, 18 December 2018