Seven-year-old is youngest budding artist in Singapore to hold solo charity art exhibition
Proceeds will benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation Exhibition supported by PwC Singapore and The Fullerton Heritage
Singapore, 2 November 2011- At just seven years old, Gelyn Ong is proof that big things come in small packages. This evening, the budding artist debuted her first solo exhibition, “My Dreams, My Wishes” featuring 29 of her latest art pieces. Through this exhibition, Gelyn and her family aim to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Foundation®, a charity which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Net proceeds from the evening’s exhibition will go towards Make-A-Wish.
Gelyn’s whimsical, boldly patterned art work began as crayon scribbles on paper at the age of four. Since then, not only has she graduated to acrylics on canvas, her love for art has also gone towards helping children who are less fortunate. In the last year alone, Gelyn’s paintings have helped to raise close to $100,000 for charity.
“Young Gelyn's tremendously beautiful artistic talent is only exceeded by her even bigger heart which desires to help less fortunate children. We feel very privileged to be her chosen charity beneficiary for her first solo exhibition. On behalf of our Wish Children and their families, thank you Gelyn!” said Debbie Seah, CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation® Singapore.
Gelyn’s first exhibition is supported by lead sponsor PwC Singapore as part of its commitment to Corporate Responsibility and engagement with the arts, as well as venue sponsor The Fullerton Heritage under its Art in the City programme.
Gautam Banerjee, Executive Chairman, PwC Singapore, said: “We are delighted to support an aspiring artist like Gelyn, and to aid her cause. Corporate responsibility forms an integral part of our culture and brand promise to create value in a very personal way, and to build relationships by touching the hearts and minds of clients, colleagues and community partners. To see someone as young as Gelyn sharing her talent with her less fortunate peers is a humble reminder that generosity and kindness know no bounds. In the same way, we also hope to inspire positive, lasting change among our people by giving back to the community and caring for others.”
“The Fullerton Heritage is honoured to be able to work with Gelyn on her first solo charity art exhibition,” says Mr Giovanni Viterale, General Manager of The Fullerton Heritage. “We are heartened that not only are we able to provide a platform to fulfill Gelyn’s dreams, but also to fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.”
PwC Singapore is also incorporating a “green” element into the project, as the main sponsor of a special initiative with EZ-Link Pte Ltd. EZ-Link Pte Ltd, which is also a supporter of this project, will print 2,500 limited edition ez-link cards displaying one of Gelyn’s favourite paintings. PwC Singapore will be purchasing ez-link cards for all its staff as a New Year gift for 2012, and as part of its environmental initiative to encourage use of public transport.
Gelyn’s art exhibition will be on display at the Fullerton Heritage Gallery from October 27 to November 22, 2011.
ENDS
About Make-A-Wish Foundation® Singapore
Make-A-Wish® Singapore is an affiliate of a global organization which began in 1980. Today, there are over 36 affiliates worldwide. Our mission is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
It is our goal to grant a wish to every medically eligible child in Singapore. Since our launch we have granted over 702 magical wishes.
The aim of Make-A-Wish is to go beyond the mere delivery of each child’s wish. We strive to create an unforgettable and meaningful experience in making these wishes come true. In their fight to overcome their illnesses, we know that such experiences are a source of joy, encouragement, hope and even strength, to these children.
Working towards these wishes are over 200 volunteers, 10 board members and 6 staff. Our combined efforts, coupled with the support of our sponsors and supporters bring us closer to that goal every day.
For more information, please go to www.makeawish.org.sg.
About PricewaterhouseCoopers
At PwC Singapore, we are active in giving back to the communities, through corporate giving, volunteering and community leadership. Over the years, we have contributed thousands of volunteer hours through overseas community projects, mass volunteering activities, beneficiary outings, fundraising and providing skilled volunteer support to charities. Our sustained involvement is testimony to our people’s desire to be engaged in Corporate Responsibility initiatives and our concern for the world we live and work in.
About The Fullerton Heritage
The Fullerton Heritage is an exquisite dining and hospitality complex consisting of The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Waterboat House, One Fullerton, Clifford Pier and Customs House. One Fullerton features an exciting tenant mix with some of Singapore’s best restaurants, bars and entertainment concepts, including chic cafes to fine-dining alfresco destinations serving Chinese, Italian and other International cuisines. Globetrot and sample the various selections of Forlino, Jing, Pierside, OverEasy, Sansui Sumiyaki and Bar, Palm Beach Seafood and the newly-opened Frost Bite / The Stomping Ground. For intimate fine dining and wining, The Fullerton Waterboat House has Le Saint Julien and Boathouse while the restored Clifford Pier; a historic landmark being Singapore’s first port of call for immigrants, anchors the modern Chinese restaurant, One on the Bund and cheongsam boutique, One Design. Customs House, a stunning celebration of Singapore’s past, has been transformed into a dining and entertainment complex featuring Nueva Cuba, Kinki, Procacci, Sabai Fine Thai on the Bay and Oyster Bar.
Website: www.thefullertonheritage.com
About EZ-Link Pte Ltd
EZ-Link Pte Ltd was formed on 8 January 2002. Its core business is the clearing and settlement of all ez-link card transactions generated in transit and non-transit (retail/merchant) environments, as well as the sale, distribution and overall management of ez-link cards. To date, more than 10 million new CEPAS-compliant ez-link cards have been issued. This is in tandem with the government’s plan to promote cashless payments in Singapore. In line with this vision, the new ez-link card is now also accepted as a mode of payment for Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and at carparks fitted with the Electronic Payment System (EPS) when used in the dual-mode in-vehicle unit.
