ABOUT SYNARTGY
“Building Wellness and Community Through the Boundless Power of Art.”
SynARTgy was founded out of a profound passion—to harness the healing power of the creative arts in support of wellness and mental health. We believe art is more than expression; it is a catalyst for growth, connection, and opportunity. Through empowering events and immersive experiences, we nurture collaboration, unlock potential, and build inclusive communities. Together, we are shaping a vibrant ecosystem where creativity strengthens resilience, sparks innovation, and inspires empowerment.
In line with this vision, SynARTgy recently pioneered the introduction of multi‑modal creative arts therapy in the country. By engaging leading experts and stakeholders, we aim to raise awareness of its therapeutic value, and by facilitating experiential workshops, we are opening new doors to healing. This innovative approach holds immense promise as a complement to existing mental health initiatives, expanding pathways to resilience and wellbeing.
At the heart of our work is a belief in creativity as a transformative force. By championing the arts as a catalyst for growth, connection, and opportunity, we continue to empower individuals and communities while cultivating a dynamic ecosystem where collaboration and innovation thrive.
This is more than a movement—it is a collective journey toward wellness, unity, and empowerment through the arts.
*Fun Fact* SynARTgy = Synergy x Art !!
An Introduction to Creative Arts in Therapeutic Practice
Click for more details & registration
Fluid Art Bear Workshop
Click for more details & registration
Fluid Art Bear Workshop
Please watch this space for future workshop dates.
For private events and special occasions, please contact us directly. Thank you!
Past Events
7 Jun 2025
Time
Saturday 6:00 pm - 9:00 pmLocation
Brunei Ocean Exhibition, One City Mall, Brunei Darussalam21 Sep 2024
Time
Saturday 8:30 am - 12:00 pmLocation
The Garden’s Veranda Banquet Hall, Rimba Garden Centre, Brunei Darussalam20 May 2023
Time
Saturday 8:00 am - 2:00 pmLocation
Radisson Hotel, Brunei Darussalam
Talks: Ocean Week Brunei 2025
Dr Irene Yap speaking at Brunei Ocean Exhibition, organised by Ocean Week Brunei, 7 June 2025.
https://synartgy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/art-industry-forum_low1.mp4
Beyond her professional role, Dr Irene Yap views value creation through the lens of an economist—recognising that it often extends beyond the tangible, especially in the creative industry.
On 7 June 2025, she was invited by Ocean Week Brunei to speak at the Brunei Ocean Exhibition at One City Mall. Her talk, “Building Resilience through Creativity”, explored how creativity can be a powerful tool for mental well-being in today’s fast-paced world. She emphasised that resilience is not just about enduring challenges, but about adapting and thriving—and creativity plays a key role in that journey.
She explained how the brain’s left and right hemispheres influence our emotional responses, showing how we can spiral into anxiety or tap into creativity to regulate. She also briefly mentioned the niche field of creative arts therapy, where artistic expression can act as “prescription medicine” for emotional healing.
Dr Irene ended her talk by sharing her personal story with Urban Sketchers Brunei, describing how the therapeutic effect of her first sketch walk helped her cope with life’s challenges at that time. For her, creativity is more than an outlet—it’s a way to express emotions, solve problems, and rediscover joy. This, she believes, can significantly reduce stress and improve overall mental health.
Ocean Week Brunei Website
Abstracts and Speakers
Presentations
Building Resilience Through Creativity
Dr Irene Yap
In the Press
Photos: Zul-Izzi Hj Duraman, Pelita Brunei
‘Over 11,000 registered with mental health services, more expected in coming years’
Borneo Bulletin, 22 Sep 2024
Forum ketengahkan seni sebagai rawatan kesihatan mental
Media Permata, 22 Sep 2024
Manfaatkan terapi seni dalam penjagaan kesihatan mental
Pelita Brunei, 22 Sep 2024
Borneo Bulletin
22 Sep 2024
Read more
3 June 2023
Read more
3 June 2023
Canvas of Calm: Harnessing Art for Healing and Well-being 2024
Join us for an enlightening forum delving into the transformative power of art as a therapeutic tool for healing and self-discovery. In this interactive session, we will explore how engaging in artistic activities can bring about immense benefits for emotional regulation, communication, and overall well-being. Discover how art offers a non-verbal outlet for expression.
Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a mental health professional, or someone curious about the healing potential of creativity, this event is for you. Come learn practical techniques and insights that will empower you to harness the therapeutic qualities of art in your own life and in your work with others. Let’s embark on an empowering journey of self-exploration and growth through the harnessing the power of art for healing and overall well-being.
Programme
Abstracts and Speakers
Presentations
Making, Sharing and Mending
Dr Amanda E. Woodford
Art Therapy in Brunei Darussalam
Nur Nadiah Suhaili
Event Photos
In the Press
Photos: Zul-Izzi Hj Duraman, Pelita Brunei
‘Over 11,000 registered with mental health services, more expected in coming years’
Borneo Bulletin, 22 Sep 2024
Forum ketengahkan seni sebagai rawatan kesihatan mental
Media Permata, 22 Sep 2024
Manfaatkan terapi seni dalam penjagaan kesihatan mental
Pelita Brunei, 22 Sep 2024
Borneo Bulletin
22 Sep 2024
Read more
3 June 2023
Read more
3 June 2023
Art Industry Forum: Value Creation Through The Art Industry 2023
Value Creation Through The Art Industry
More photos below
The Art industry is a specific sector within the creative industry that contributes to the creative economy. In Brunei Darussalam, it is nascent industry with growth potential if properly nurtured and developed in a conducive environment. Art is inclusive, as it transcends all ages, gender, cultures, ethnicity, abilities and can bring great potential and socio-economic benefits with positive spillover effects, including entrepreneurial opportunities.
The objective of this forum is to bring together several speakers in various related fields to share how the development of this industry can contribute to job creation, business opportunities, market expansion beyond the borders and the role of key players in the ecosystem of Art Industry. By providing an overview on the contribution to the economy, sharing respective international experience and local scenes, it is hoped that this forum can stimulate further conversation and thought process to grow and develop this industry and to connect with the wider markets outside Brunei Darussalam.
Programme
Abstracts and Speakers
Presentations
Presentation Slides
Arts and Culture Industry – An Economic Perspective
Dr Irene Yap
Understanding the Value of Art and the Art Market
Dr Rui Oliveira Lopes
Singapore’s Quest for ‘Cultural Development’
John Z. W. Tung
The Art Developments in Brunei Darussalam: Past, Present and Future
Osman Mohammad
Event Photos
In the Press
3 June 2023
Read more
