I refer to New Players At Gillman Barracks (Life, Feb 2), where it is reported that new tenants such as a design shop and ice-cream parlour have moved into the art gallery cluster.

The tenant mix has been diluted with the entry of more design retail shops and food and beverage outlets. Why is Gillman straying away from the original vision of an art enclave?

This brings to mind Malaysian dealer Valentine Willie's comment during Gillman Barracks' opening in 2012, when he asked if Singapore could sustain the marketing efforts and keep up the vision of having a serious art gallery cluster.

Educating and nurturing art lovers take generations.

The recent Scout Singapore: Emerging Art Practices exhibition at Gillman Barracks was good, but instead of running for a week, it should go on for a year, with studios for artists to create works and have dialogues with the public.

Hua Tye Swee