When in doubt, read reviews.
Yup, something I will do whenever I want to engage someone/company’s service. We love accepting reviews from our clients, doesn’t matter good or bad. Both are important to us. It give us an insight on what to improve for our products, service and overall customers experience. We strongly believe in providing what we can and treating everyone equally. – Stella Tan, Studio Manager
Che Jr. reviewed Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle — 5 star
Excellent side trip while in in Singapore! As a potter in the states, I seek out such places while traveling and this one is a jewel of living history, maintaining its relevance via purposeful planning, care and devotion in this family-run studio. All my early queries were promptly answered with friendly professionalism and sincerity by Ms. Stella Tan.
I attended a weekend workshop and found it well run and everyone had fun. The families and children in attendance were well looked after and gently guided through the basic processes of both hand-building and throwing. The enjoyment of playing with clay is obviously transmitted by the instructors and they helped keep everyone focused on exploration and the joy of making something by hand. Getting a couple of pieces of art work a few weeks later is just a bonus.
There were plenty of materials, tools and wheels to go around in this well-attended workshop. The lead instructor and acting manager of Thow Kwang Yulianti Oey, moreover, was extremely generous with her time and spend a good bit of it patiently being interviewed after the workshop by a local middle school student with a cultural assignment. I was very fortunate too in receiving some of that time, hearing of her insight, joy and experience as a potter and talented Ikebana artist.
Like many pottery studios, Dragon Kiln Pottery Jungle straddles many fences: a cultural and historical landmark, contemporary works gallery, advocate for emerging artists, resource for childhood (and adulthood) creative development. In addition, there is an amazing pastiche maze of all ceramic kitsch, finer work and knickknacks museum/showcase to wander through and fill your home at a reasonable price.
Dragon Kiln and the educational EcoGardens share a property line, adding to the feeling of oasis. I was dependent on the amazingly efficient transit system of Singapore and found the Pottery Jungle easy to get to and an easy walk from the bus stop, the long way. I was staying in Chinatown so while I had to take several trains and bus 199–my trip was probably speedier than had I had my own vehicle–and on a Saturday. The trip was under 30 minutes one way. If unfamiliar, just write down the address and have the bus driver drop you off at the nearest stop. Cross the street and start following the signs for the pottery studio. At the bottom of the hill the road forks (about at the 7 minute mark), head up towards the right. There are signs along the way to lead you to the studio complex. If you’re feeling adventurous, follow the signs for the EcoGardens and cut through CleanTech Park rather than signs for Dragon Kiln. When you get to the trail, take a left on the well maintained trail. It will lead right to the Pottery Jungle (I felt more adventurous on the way back and took the trail back to the road). Either way, it’s a 5-10 minute walk from the bus stop.
Clarice
Atlanta GA
USA