A guide to the new Kreta Ayer Heritage Gallery

For the uninitiated, here's a crash course: Kreta Ayer was predominantly a Cantonese area. It was known for its round-the-clock entertainment scene, bustling with a concentration of teahouses, opera theatre, and brothels. Co-curated by National Heritage Board (NDB) and the Kreta Ayer Community Club (CC), the 100 sqm gallery tells you more about the district's past.

The new gallery evokes the area's rich history through contributions from heritage practitioners and former residents, including Cultural Medallion winner Joanna Wong and award-winning calligraphy artist Yong Cheong Thye. Check out over 170 objects, photographs and personal effects.

Back in the day, Kreta Ayer was known for Chinese opera, nanyin music, Chinese puppetry, Chinese painting and calligraphy, and tea drinking. You can learn more about the different art forms at the gallery, which is arranged thematically according to the cultural heritage elements. Check out the items on display, which includes photographs dating back to 1975, a testament to the popularity and dynamism of Chinese Opera in Kreta Ayer. There’s even a scorebook containing about 300 original compositions by the late nankin visionary Teng Mah Seng.

Award-winning Chinese calligraphy artist Yong Cheong Thye has loaned some of his works for display, allowing visitors to appreciate the ancient art. In fact, Yong has been working with Kreta Ayer since 1985, when he first opened his gallery along South Bridge Road. Now, the illustrious artist holds weekly classes in the vicinity. Sign up for his classes here.