Local art event Illustration Arts Festival to return after 5-year hiatus; features over 120 local, regional artists

After a five-year-long hiatus, Illustration Arts Festival (IAF) is back for its third run from Jul 29 to 30 at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC).

Organised by illustrator networking platform Organisation of Illustrators Council (OIC Singapore) and event organiser Thirtytwocm, the two-day event aims to celebrate good art and promote sound business practices for artists.

The festival was first started in 2016 as part of the 10th anniversary of the OIC Singapore. According to the organiser, the IAF is focused on originally created content and narratives by independent illustrators who work in styles and art forms which are not commonly seen in Asia. 

This year, the festival will host 90 booths featuring over 120 local and regional artists. Some of these artists include @berry_winkle_, @rikka_aud, @heyjonut, @purringcatco, @thebunmeo and @franticcreativity.

Visitors can purchase original artworks and illustration goods such as keychains from the various booths or attend a book signing by the self-taught illustrator of Shaolin And You, Poon Yew Fai.

Workshops and talks are also featured at the festival, with more details to be released at a later date on IAF’s eventbrite, Instagram and Facebook pages. 

Those interested to help out at IAF can sign up to be a volunteer. Volunteers must be aged 16 or older.

Admission into IAF is free, though visitors are strongly encouraged to RSVP their tickets and time slots on eventbrite before attending. Visitors can choose two hour-long time slots between 11am and 7pm for both days.

Visitors who RSVP their tickets can join the priority queue on the day itself. Time slots must be strictly followed and those who are 30 minutes late must join the walk-in queue.

Re-entry through the priority queue after leaving the festival is prohibited and only accepted by walk-in.

Walk-ins admit attendees on a first come, first served basis. The frequency for admittance varies depending on the crowd situation.

Workshop ticket holders can proceed to the workshop queue to enter the festival grounds without having to book a RSVP priority queue ticket.