FabCafe Kuala Lumpur Spotlight: Beyond the Brush

Since its founding in 2020, FabCafe Kuala Lumpur has seen thousands of people come through its doors for workshops, exhibitions, or just a cup of coffee. To accommodate a growing need for floor space, the cafe moved to a larger storefront in late 2024. Since the move, the FabCafe KL team have been busy with a slew of projects large and small. 

FabCafe Kuala Lumpur’s new location in Bandar Sunway spans over 3,000 square feet, with space for retail pop-ups, workshops, and of course coffee and snacks. Throughout 2025, the cafe’s Instagram has been full of announcements of exhibitions and collaborations. A few of their endeavors stand out, highlighting the team’s capacity for exhibitions and workshops open to the public, building on connections from throughout the global FabCafe network, and working directly with clients on design and fabrication.

Beyond the Brush: Reaching Children and Families through Art

In February 2025, FabCafe Kuala Lumpur collaborated with Special Talented Artists Rise Together (START), a visual arts learning development program focused on children with learning disabilities. Established in 2022, START provides art lessons for children with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. Professional artists serve as teachers, and alongside resident therapists, they guide children in giving form to their ideas and creativity. To cap off the program, START exhibits participants’ artwork locally and even at international events like ParaArt Tokyo, encouraging society to recognize the potential of these young artists.

START students and parents attend an exhibition opening at Inner Joy Art Gallery on April 19, 2025, shortly after Beyond the Brush. Photo by Inner Joy Art Gallery.

FabCafe Kuala Lumpur organized and hosted an exhibition entitled “Beyond the Brush” from February 10–22, 2025. The exhibition featured art by ten START participants. The celebration of art and neurodiversity was a great opportunity for these young artists to share their unique perspectives with the world.

On the final day of the exhibition, the cafe hosted special programming for both children and parents. In the first floor work space, START artist-teacher Dian Azura facilitated a kaleidoscope-making workshop for ten students. Each student received their artwork custom engraved on an acrylic mirror, which they then added their own colors to. Set atop an LED base, the one-of-a-kind kaleidoscopes were a big hit with participants.

This bespoke artistic and educational experience provided a platform to celebrate neurodiversity and highlight the importance of supporting students of all backgrounds in the arts. From the exhibition to the final day’s programs, FabCafe Kuala Lumpur was an enthusiastic partner for START and the families the program serves.