Long before Potabella Studio existed, its founder was living two very different lives. Professionally, architecture had taught her to observe, imagine and solve problems. Outside of work, she found herself teaching art to children—and something about those moments stayed with her. Children didn’t see the world the way adults did. They weren’t afraid to experiment. They weren’t worried about getting the “right answer.” They simply built, explored and asked, “What happens if…?” That curiosity inspired a dream. When she decided to start a family of her own, she immersed herself in early childhood education, determined to better understand how young children learn. Somewhere between architecture and education, an idea slowly took shape. What if making things could become the lesson itself? Not painting inside the lines. Not copying a teacher’s example. But creating, failing, rebuilding, questioning and discovering. That idea eventually became Potabella Studio.
Turning that idea into reality wasn’t nearly as beautiful as the workshops looked. Behind every smiling child holding a handmade creation were countless unseen nights. While working a full-time job and raising young children of her own, she became a one-woman operation. After everyone else had gone to sleep, she quietly prepared materials because those were the only hours she had left. Without a car, every workshop meant carrying boxes of supplies herself, carefully planning how to transport everything while keeping costs low. Because the studio space was rented by the session, nothing could stay overnight. If a project wasn’t finished, she packed every child’s half-completed work, brought it home, stored it safely, and carried everything back the next day so the children could continue where they had left off. It was exhausting. There were moments when giving up would have been easier. But every challenge reminded her why she had started.
This wasn’t about selling art classes. It was about giving children a place where trying mattered more than succeeding—a place where mistakes weren’t failures but simply part of building something new. That philosophy is reflected in every workshop today. Rather than teaching every child to produce identical pieces of artwork, Potabella Studio encourages children to explore architecture and nature through open-ended play. One child may build a bridge. Another may invent an imaginary city. A third might spend an hour figuring out why their structure keeps collapsing. And that’s perfectly okay. Because learning isn’t measured by the final product. It’s measured by curiosity.
One memory still stays with her. During her very first workshop, she had only two students. As one child concentrated on building, he suddenly turned to the other and said, “This is actually more fun than playing.” She smiled. The irony wasn’t lost on her. The children didn’t realise they were learning, and perhaps that was the greatest compliment she could ever receive.
Today, parents continue returning every school holiday, bringing their children back for another workshop—not because they’re chasing perfect creations, but because they’ve found a space where their children genuinely love to explore. Looking ahead, her dream isn’t to become the biggest enrichment centre in Singapore. It’s something much simpler: a permanent studio. A place children feel belongs to them. Somewhere they know where the tools are kept. Somewhere they can walk in with confidence, pick up materials, and start creating before class even begins. A place that feels less like a classroom and more like home.
That dream is taking another step forward. Potabella Studio will soon launch its weekly Design Studio Sessions, giving children a regular space to imagine, experiment, build and create through hands-on, open-ended design experiences. It’s an exciting new chapter for a studio that has always believed creativity grows best when children are free to explore at their own pace. Sometimes, that’s exactly how the strongest foundations are built.
If you’re looking for a creative space where your child can build confidence, think differently and discover the joy of making, Potabella Studio might just become their favourite place to learn. Visit their OneKampung business listing to learn more about their workshops, discover their upcoming weekly Design Studio Sessions, and follow them on social media to see what they’re creating next. Every masterpiece begins with a single idea—and every great story begins with the courage to create.