The opening weekend of PAssionArts Festival 2026 has wrapped up with two large-scale community artworks setting a new Singapore Book of Records (SBOR) – Bukit Batok East revealed its “Community Towers” installation on 1 August, and Sengkang East unveiled the “Woven Harmony” bottle-cap map of Singapore on 2 August.
This year’s PAssionArts Festival theme, “Our Neighbourhood Gems”, celebrates the stories, people and places that make each community special. Across the festival’s opening weekend, that theme took shape in two very different ways.
Bukit Batok East PAssionArts Festival 2026: Community Towers Built Panel by Panel
At Bukit Batok East Community Club, residents unveiled “Community Towers”, a set of three three-sided mosaic towers with the tallest standing at 1.8 metres. Their surfaces bring together resident-designed panels composed of more than 10,800 individual sequin discs. On 1 August, the installation was awarded the Singapore Book of Records title for the largest sculptural display covered with sequins.
The towers took shape panel by panel across four artist-guided workshops in July, led by artist Royston Phang and organised by the Bukit Batok East Community Arts and Culture Club (CACC). Working from a grid, each resident sketched a design, chose their sequin pieces and hooked them onto a mesh panel.
Individually, every panel is designed by one resident; together, they form the towers’ shimmering surfaces, a reminder that a neighbourhood is made richer by the many who share it.
Young residents add coloured sequin discs to a panel of the Community Towers at the Bukit Batok East PAssionArts Festival 2026, continuing the co-creation that began at four artist-guided workshops in July. Photo credit: People’s Association – PAssionArts.
Sengkang East: Putting Singapore’s 61st Birthday on the Map, One Bottle Cap at a Time in PAssionArts Festival 2026
More than 600 residents, volunteers and community partners gathered at Rivervale Community Club to celebrate Singapore’s 61st birthday through the unveiling of two large-scale community artworks under the Sengkang East PAssionArts initiative.
The projects showcased the power of collaboration, creativity and sustainability, while reflecting the shared identity, aspirations and strong community spirit of Sengkang East.
“Woven Harmony – A Singapore Story”
The centrepiece of the celebration, “Woven Harmony – A Singapore Story”, is a 6-metre by 4-metre map of Singapore meticulously created using more than 28,000 recycled bottle caps collected by residents across the neighbourhood between May and July 2026.
Through months of collection, sorting and community co-creation, the bottle caps were transformed into a vibrant artwork celebrating Singapore’s multicultural identity and collective journey.
Bordering the installation is a community patchwork made up of individually designed fabric squares contributed by residents of Sengkang East.
Each square represents a unique story, reflecting the diverse backgrounds, experiences and aspirations of families within Sengkang East.
The project was spearheaded by Rivervale Shores Residents’ Network (RN) in collaboration with the Sengkang East Community Arts and Culture Club (CACC), with valuable contributions from students of Temasek Polytechnic, Sengkang East residents and volunteers.
Over the course of a month, participants worked hand in hand to carefully place each recycled bottle cap according to the map’s intricate design while crafting miniature replicas of iconic Singapore landmarks from recycled materials.
Their collective efforts transformed thousands of everyday recyclable items into a meaningful artwork that celebrates sustainability, creativity and community ownership, while showcasing the power of community collaboration.
In recognition of this remarkable achievement, “Woven Harmony – A Singapore Story” was officially awarded the Singapore Book of Records title for the Largest Singapore Map Made Out of Bottle Caps on 2 August 2026.
“Woven Harmony – Our Sengkang East”
Alongside the record-breaking bottle cap installation, residents also unveiled “Woven Harmony – Our Sengkang East”, a 5-metre community mural celebrating the neighbourhood’s identity and shared experiences.
Spearheaded by Rivervale Shores Residents’ Network (RN) in collaboration with the Sengkang East Community Arts and Culture Club (CACC), “Woven Harmony – Our Sengkang East” was conceptualised by Rivervale Shores RN members and co-created by local artist Anson Tan, residents and volunteers over several weeks.
Inspired by familiar neighbourhood landmarks and everyday community life, the mural captures the stories, memories and aspirations that connect generations of residents, reflecting the unique identity and vibrant community spirit of Sengkang East.
Completed through the collective efforts of the community, the mural serves as a lasting testament to the neighbourhood’s creativity, resilience and strong sense of belonging.
Beyond the two signature artworks, Sengkang East PAssionArts Festival 2026 featured interactive art workshops, community performances and family-friendly activities, providing residents of all ages with opportunities to express their creativity, forge new friendships and strengthen neighbourly bonds.
Together, “Woven Harmony – A Singapore Story” and “Woven Harmony – Our Sengkang East” embody the spirit of SG61 by demonstrating how art can unite people across generations and backgrounds.
More than commemorating Singapore’s 61st birthday, the two installations stand as enduring symbols of sustainability, inclusiveness and community ownership, leaving a meaningful legacy for present and future generations of Sengkang East residents.
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