Alter Ego: The Other Me — A Playful Workshop with Ascott Waterplace & Jawa Pos

On 7 November 2025, I had the joy of collaborating with Ascott Waterplace Hotel and Jawa Pos for a special art workshop at Pakuwon Mall Surabaya’s Grand Atrium. A perfect setting for creativity, laughter, and a little bit of theatrical self-discovery. The event was part of both their Health & Lifestyle Expo 2025 program by Jawa Pos and  a celebration of International Tolerance Day, which made the theme feel even more meaningful.

Our workshop, Alter Ego: The Other Me, invited participants to explore the hidden selves we all carry. The bold version, the glamorous one, the silly one, the soft one, the wild one, the one who only comes out when no one is watching. Through collage art, surreal prompts, and a bit of storytelling magic, each participant built a “visual portrait” of their alter ego.

We had 14 wonderful participants show up, each bringing their curiosity, humor, and openness into the space. The Grand Atrium turned into a mini-gallery filled with art materials, magazine cutouts, bright paper, and tiny snippets of imagination. There was laughter during the character reveal session, surprising backstories, unexpected alter-ego names, and a beautiful collective sharing session at the end.

One of my favorite parts was watching adults reconnect with play. So many of us forget what it feels like to create without pressure, to imagine freely, to express parts of ourselves without judgment. This workshop reminded me how powerful and healing that simple act can be.

A huge thank you to Ascott Waterplace and Jawa Pos for making this collaboration possible, and to all the participants who showed up with such open hearts. I’m grateful that art can continue to be a bridge, for creativity, for community, and for understanding ourselves and each other.

Here’s to more moments of freedom, exploration, and unexpected alter-egos. <3