Exploring New Territory: Volunteering and Growing

Lexie has been a familiar face at ArtsWok since she started volunteering with us in 2018. Always game to jump in, she brings both heart and curiosity to every role she plays whether it be facilitating end-of-life conversations, handling front-of-house duties, or snapping moments on her trusty camera. Lexie reflects on her ongoing journey with us, and how the arts create space for empathy and connection.

Lexie engaging with children over an origami session during The Last Dance (2018) as part of BSN at Telok Blangah.

How has your journey with us as a volunteer evolved over time?

I first volunteered with ArtsWok under their flagship programme Both Sides, Now (BSN). This was around 2018 as I had just come back to Singapore after completing my Bachelor in Architecture. During my time in Australia, I was exposed to different methodologies of community engagement within the realms of architecture and public space which piqued my interest. So I was eager to volunteer with like-minded organisations upon my return to understand community engagement in the local Singapore context.

My journey started with BSN at Telok Blangah, where I mainly assisted with the participatory arts activities and was stationed at the front-of-house. I also facilitated conversations for the participatory theatre performance, shared about Advance Care Planning, and listened to the audience’s responses. More recently, I had the pleasure of assisting the ArtsWok team with photography and videography documentation for their inaugural Learning Forum and Film Screening Fundraiser.

When I began volunteering with ArtsWok, I was working at a placemaking consultancy that regularly involved stakeholder engagement. Thus, I was familiar with facilitation and conversing with people. After moving to an architectural design consultancy, the shift back to desk work made me appreciate the volunteering experience at ArtsWok and BSN in a more meaningful manner. The opportunity to volunteer in both front-facing roles and behind the scenes has given me a comprehensive experience and broad understanding of the effort behind arts-based community development.

As a docent at tides (2024), Lexie shared the stories behind the art installations for BSN at Yishun. She kept her camera close by — a personal hobby to document moments as they unfold.

Do you have a personal memory or moment that reinforced your belief in arts-based community development?

When I listen to the community members or visitors share their experiences, their faces light up and I can see the empowerment and ownership they feel towards their artworks. I recall one particular moment from Mengukir Harapan (2021–2022) where the artist Dahlia Osman had workshop participants draw portraits of each other. A daughter who attended with her father was deeply moved when she noticed how much he had aged as she traced the wrinkles and lines on his face. It was such a poignant reminder of how we tend to focus on growing up and forget our parents are growing older.

Another memorable moment that struck a chord with me was ArtsWok’s dedication to their volunteer network. I was thoroughly impressed and surprised by the in-depth facilitation training and exercises (such as role-playing situations and navigating end-of-life conversations) that we underwent for BSN. Volunteers are not treated as transitional manpower but instead educated and empowered for long-term engagement. This thoughtful training reinforced my belief and faith in ArtsWok from the beginning.