Bringing Calligraphy Words to Life—Across Generations

Just imagine this with me for a moment—handwritten calligraphy by teenagers and seniors… slowly transforming into wearable art. That’s exactly what happened on April 2, and honestly, my heart is still full.

Forty individuals, from two very different generations, came together in one room. They picked up a brush pen—some for the first time—and began writing blessings for Singapore as we look ahead to SG60. There was this beautiful mix of nervous laughter and quiet focus, and slowly, strokes turned into words. Words turned into encouragement and affirmation. And somehow, that simple act of writing became a shared language between people who might never have crossed paths otherwise.

A senior and teenager writing calligraphy side by side, bridging generations through art at a community calligraphy event for SG60. — **Forty individuals- intergenerations, coming together. How beautiful.**

Behind the scenes, Anseina will dream up the designs of these calligraphied words into clothes. Pastor Grace and Pastor Jeff carried the vision and the heartbeat of the whole project. As for me, I thought I was just there to teach. To guide, demonstrate strokes, encourage when someone felt unsure.

Pastor Grace, Pastor Jeff, designer Anseina, and Serene from Sundays Dawn at the intergenerational calligraphy workshop for SG60, bringing handwritten words to life through wearable art. — Pastor Grace and Pastor Jeff (on left and right) from @hugcomsg are the heart behind this meaningful project, Anseina @ans.ein is the brain and designer who will be bringing the calligraphy to life in design on clothes, and I (Serene) am humbled to simply be the hands to facilitate the learning of calligraphy of these ones.

But what I didn’t expect… was to walk away so deeply moved by them.

As I stood beside these seniors and students—watching trembling hands find their rhythm, and quiet teenagers slowly light up with confidence—I found myself learning FROM THEM.

Their patience.
Their courage to try.
Their openness to each other.

I thought I came to serve, but I took away so much more.

There’s something so pure and moving about watching a 16-year-old and a 76-year-old lean over the same table, helping each other line up their strokes and cheering each other on. Age didn’t matter that day. What mattered was presence. Joy. Connection.

In between brush strokes, stories were exchanged. Encouragement flowed naturally. And I caught myself smiling so many times just watching the gentle magic of it all. It wasn’t just a calligraphy session—it was community in motion.

It’s moments like these that remind me why I do what I do. Why I believe so deeply in the art of writing—because it has this quiet, powerful way of bringing people closer. Of bridging gaps we didn’t even realize were there.

Close-up of brush pen calligraphy practice sheets created by participants at an intergenerational workshop for wearable calligraphy designs in Singapore. — **She applied the techniques of brush pen calligraphy to writing in Tamil for her well wishes for Singapore. Just wow!**

I can’t wait to see how these handwritten pieces—every loop, every imperfect letter—will be woven into something even more meaningful- clothes that people can proudly wear!

Because they already carry something deeper than ink: they carry heart, history, and hope.

And that… that is truly worth celebrating.

Categories: : Calligraphy, Calligraphy Practice, Mumpreneurship