#Onthisday on 11 December 2018, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) launches a book and exhibition to commemorate its 80th anniversary. How did it all begin almost a century ago? In the early 1930s, Chinese artist Huang Suiheng visited Singapore and on his return to China, he put across the idea of establishing an art school in Singapore to respected arts educator Lim Hak Tai. (That's him in the photo!) A few years later in 1936, Lim accepted an invitation from philanthropist Tan Kah Kee to teach at The Chinese High School, and he set sail for Singapore. Not long after, together with fellow arts education enthusiasts, Lim officially opened NAFA on 10 Mar 1938.  He was founding principal to 14 Fine Art students, in a two-storey shophouse in Geylang opposite Gay World amusement park. And now eight decades later, NAFA continues to thrive as Singapore’s pioneer quality arts education institute. Find out more about Lim Hak Tai’s life at esplanade.com/tributesg #esplanade #singapore ...