Odyssey, The Global Preschool and the Colours of Odyssey project
Organised in conjunction with Social Creatives, an organisation dedicated to transforming lives through an approach of “Art With A Purpose” in the form of community art and public murals, the void deck of Block 56 in Pipit Road was the canvas for this session, bringing art directly to the local community.
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For these pre-schoolers, age is no barrier to doing their part for society. Starting from as young as two years of age, the students of Odyssey – The Global Preschool, are already learning the importance of charity and giving back through “Colours of Odyssey”. More than just an art exhibition, this annual event is aimed at raising funds for charity through the exhibition and sale of art that is lovingly created by the children. Now in its fourth year, the exhibition that celebrates the children’s creativity has become a signature event that is open to the public as well.
Colours of Odyssey by Odyssey, The Global Preschool
This year, over 350 students from Odyssey’s two campuses at Wilkinson and Fourth Avenue will raise funds for the Singapore Children’s Society and Social Creatives charity organisations. Their works will be based on the theme of “Dialogues”.
Q&A with Rupal Arora, Head of School, Odyssey, The Global Preschool
What was the inspiration behind Colours of Odyssey?
At Odyssey, The Global Preschool, we have an innovative approach to nurturing the creativity of our children. Our pedagogical philosophy is “Hands on. Minds on. Hearts on.” and this is applied to every aspect of our curriculum and classroom activities.
In keeping with this, Colours of Odyssey is our annual programme that allows the children to explore new topics through art and allows children to showcase their artwork in a public place so as to uphold their work as an important part of the community.
How do you think it benefits your students?
The process of working on an art project for 8-10 weeks that culminates with an art exhibition that parents and friends are invited to recognises each child’s efforts. It promotes confidence, self esteem and imparts the values of social responsibility and empathy towards others in our community as the funds raised will be donated to charity.
A group of students completing their Colours of Odyssey
Tell us why Odyssey decided to work with Social Creatives for this year’s Colours of Odyssey?
Social Creative was introduced to Odyssey by a parent. Odyssey believes in strong parent collaboration and views parents as contributing partners of our learning community. This year we wanted to bring our programme closer to the community we live in, especially since we have many expat children. Social Creatives has a dynamic team of local artists that create public art murals – with an aim to promote art with a purpose. Working on the Void Deck Gallery community project together at MacPherson bought our children closer to art in the neighbourhood.
How was the response for the previous Colours of Odyssey projects?
Through our 2011 art exhibition ‘Colours of Odyssey. Our Footprint. Our Future.’ the children raised nearly $10,000 that was donated to the Make-A-Wish-Foundation and have also contributed to Singapore Children’s Society in previous years.