PSS Clubhouse

Situated at 30 Selegie Road, Selegie Arts Centre was allocated to The Photographic society of Singapore (PSS) in 1995, under the National Arts Council Arts Housing Scheme, to make the centre a local photographic hub. With $200,000 raised from fund-raising, the centre was transformed into a world class arts centre with a splendid gallery. Since then, many activities were held at the centre which include photographic courses, photographic seminars, studio sessions and slide shows.

The gallery on the 3rd storey was named Loke Wan Tho Gallery in memory of one of our Society’s most distinguished member, Datok Loke Wan Tho who was also our former Vice President. In the gallery, there was a display area where his splendid works of bird photographs were displayed alongside several prestigious awards and mementos won by our members since 1950.

The gallery saw many photographers having their group and solo exhibitions, inclusive of the likes of Lady Yuen Peng McNeice, JAPAN photographer Morata and also by members of the parliament like Mr Sidek Sannif, Mr Mah Bow Tan, Mr Yatiman Yusof …

Beside photographic Exhibition, the gallery is open to other forms of art like the glass painting by May, the silk-screen exhibition by Australian artist , as well as a fusion of Dance and Photographic display by Henrik Lau and Dancers.

The Arts Centre was closed in the middle of 1999 for a major upgrading and renovation. With a budget of $25,000, the centre was transformed into a multi- purpose centre with :
2nd storey:
2 classroom with a capacity of 30 seats
1 office / Digital Photography lab
1 member area
1 B/W Darkroom with 5 enlargers
1 Colour Darkroom with 2 colour enlargers
1 reception counter

3rd storey:
Exhibition Gallery
Loke Wan Tho Collections Corner

Since 1995, the Council ran the Society between the 2 clubhouses, one at Geylang Lorong 7 and one at Selegie Arts Centre. This proved to be inefficient and inconvenient, hence the Council decided to shift all of its operation to the Selege Arts Centre with effect from middle of April 2000, immediately after the Arts Centre renovation.

Since then, many programs, outings and studio sessions, exhibitions, courses, talks, gatherings, darkroom sessions, seminars were held at the centre. The Council hoped to make the centre a local hub for photography, where all budding photographers with a common interest in developing the interest and skill in photography meet and learn. To assist the Council in realising this dream, 2 full time staff are employed so that the clubhouse is open everyday, day and night.

With its location in the heart of the city, with accessible transportation via bus or the Dhoby Ghaut MRT, as well as support of its increasing membership, this dream of making the centre becoming a local hub for photography is drawing near.