Celebrating S'pore's 48th birthday with arts and heritage

SINGAPORE - In celebration of the recent National Day and Hari Raya Puasa, the 13th Istana Art Event held a series of activities aimed at fostering a deeper appreciation of the arts and our national heritage.

The annual event, organised by the Singapore Art Museum and the National Heritage Board, took place today in conjunction with the Istana Open House.

Among the free activities were all-time favourites such as the On-The-Spot Art Competition, which saw some 1,200 children showcase their creativity and artistic talent. 18 of them walked away with prizes for their creations.

Cayden Seah, 5, and Melissa Mak Zi Qi, 11, took home the first prize awards for the junior and intermediate categories respectively.

They were presented their awards by President Tony Tan Keng Yam, who graced the event together with his wife.

Other highlights of the event included the Arts and Heritage Village, where visitors could learn about the history of Singapore's landmarks and places. The exhibitions were put up by 11 participating museums and heritage institutions.

huizhen@sph.com.sg