This lovely space tucked away in the Mandarin Gallery, on Orchard Road in Singapore, is a welcome relief from the street’s shopping frenzy. I’m introducing you to Arteastiq, a cosy tea lounge that invites people to paint, while unwinding over a soothing cuppa. They call it ‘art jamming’ or social painting.
I step in, one afternoon, to be surrounded by a bunch of art lovers painting on canvases. As I browse through the different canvases at work, I realize Arteastiq welcomes art aficionados of all kinds – the serious ones, who are looking for a quiet space to paint, and amateurs who are here to experiment and enjoy.
The lounge staff direct me to an art station, where a blank canvas is laid out for me to let loose. Paintbrushes and acrylic paint in standard colours are provided to get you started. If you are looking for inspiration beyond your imagination, the staff is kind enough to help you print out an image that you like. Here’s an aspiring painter at work:
The moment I wear the black apron, I get into the groove. I decided to paint the Clarke Quay landscape by the Singapore River, which is a lively space with lovely colourful shophouses. This is pretty iconic of Singapore, and an area where I spent a lot of my evenings, while in the city.
I take a break from my canvas, and sit back at the adjoining café to enjoy some tea. They have a decent selection of English floral teas and fruit teas, but we settled for the lemongrass tea, which was delicious.
We also tried the recommended orange cake, which goes by the name Eve! Funnily, they have one named Adam, which is an apple flavored cake, and part of their signature collection. The cake pairs very well with the tea, and literally melts in your mouth.
Arteastiq also offers a breakfast and brunch menu, but we skipped that.
Anyhow, coming back to the art, here are the details: each painting session is roughly three hours long. They have sessions in the morning, afternoon and evening. If you are looking to spend more time, and use the space as a mini studio, Arteastiq charges $5 per extra hour. Else, it is $48 for three hours.
This boutique tea lounge is ideal for an afternoon with a friend, or a fun evening with kids. My painted canvas, was a lovely keepsake to bring back home. Weaving in art, with the tea tasting experience, adds to that element of differentiation. And it seems to be working.
To know more about Arteastiq, visit their website. Stay updated through their Facebook page.
Note: Arteastiq invited me to visit and experience their space.
{Photos by My Red Palette}
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