Finding Joy Through Art and Community

“Hello! What is your name?” That’s often the first thing you’ll hear from Emily Chua, as she greets everyone she meets for the first time with a bright smile. Diagnosed with Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability, Emily is known for her cheerful nature and bubbly personality that lights up any room.  

Before joining TOUCH Centre for Independent Living (TCIL) in 2015, Emily did not have a close circle of friends or a community to call her own, relying mainly on her family for support. When she joined TCIL, her family worked closely with TCIL’s Lifeskills Coaches to help Emily establish routines and learn daily living skills to enhance her independence. At the centre, she was also able to meet other individuals with special needs and build friendships.  

Chloe Liew, Centre Manager of TCIL shares, “Emily is very well-liked by her peers. She knows how to make the atmosphere light-hearted and make people feel comfortable. She’s also very friendly and never afraid to reach out to others.”  

Caption: Emily confidently introducing herself with her drawing. 

“Emily has shown commendable progress in taking initiative. She demonstrates enthusiasm in contributing to class responsibilities, such as helping to clean the classroom tables or recording screentime usage for her peers,” adds Joanna Lim, Emily’s Form Coach in 2025.  

Discovering a Love for Art 

Emily discovered her passion for drawing during TCIL’s art class, and her love for art has blossomed ever since. In 2017, Emily was selected to join the centre’s Artist Programme, where she honed her artistic skills under the guidance of an external trainer. The programme exposed her to various art forms and helped her develop a keen appreciation for the use of colours in her work.  

Caption: Emily enjoying herself during art class. 

“Emily enjoys the process of drawing and painting. I always see her with a big smile on her face during art class. She’s very expressive in art and draws freely,” shares Loh Sau Kuen, Senior Art Facilitator of TOUCH SpecialCrafts.  

Opening Doors to New Opportunities 

Emily’s journey as an artist took on new meaning when she became a Special Artist with JOURNEY, an award-winning Singapore brand under TOUCH that celebrates the creative talents of people with intellectual disabilities. Through JOURNEY, Special Artists like Emily are empowered to earn an income from the sale of their art. This platform has allowed her to build confidence and independence, expressing herself in ways that were not previously possible.  

Being part of JOURNEY has opened doors to many new opportunities for Emily, including collaborations to showcase her art on everyday items like umbrellas, stationery and even wearable art like t-shirts and dresses. She is especially proud to have been selected as one of the Special Artists for the 42nd UOB Painting of the Year art competition, where she co-designed art wearables with UOB Painting of the Year artists.  

Caption: Emily proudly donning a kimono dress, featuring oriental patterns, co-designed with Wong Lip Chin, a UOB Painting of the Year artist.  

Emily’s sister, Estee, shares, “Emily has always enjoyed art since she was young. When she was in school, her artwork was chosen to be part of a school art exhibition. Joining TCIL and being a JOURNEY Special Artist has given Emily the space to learn and explore different forms of art and allowed her to flourish into the artist she is today.” 

Emily is also one of eight Special Artists selected to be part of ‘Doing Good Together’, a collaborative project between JOURNEY, TCIL and seniors from TOUCHpoint@Yishun 436, an Active Ageing Centre by TOUCH to commemorate SG60. Through this project, Emily partnered with Mdm Kamala Jothi to create art that celebrates the spirit of togetherness and forges an inclusive and caring society.  

Caption: Emily together with Mdm Kamala, as they receive feedback from Sau Kuen about their co-created artwork. 

Caption: Emily and Mdm Kamala showing off their completed artwork.  

Finding Community 

For Emily, art is more than a hobby – it’s a way for her to bring happiness to others, and she hopes her paintings can brighten someone’s day. TCIL has also become a place where she has found community, discovered her talents and gained confidence. 

Her mother, Mdm Lim Mui Lee shares, “We want Emily to be independent, to know how to differentiate between good and bad, healthy and unhealthy food, and to be able to say no. We’re happy that she gets along well with her friends and she’s able to earn an income and give back through her art. Most of all, we’re glad that she’s found something that she truly enjoys.”  

--- 

TOUCH Centre for Independent Living (TCIL) is a day activity centre which offers competence-based training programmes for adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. It aims to provide them with functional knowledge and skills that will equip them to live independently in the community. This client-focused training programme teaches daily living and pre-employment skills to trainees, and visual arts, sports and recreational activities to improve their quality of life.     

Story published in 2025.