President Tony Tan Keng Yam, who is the patron of Dover Park Hospice, launched the Hospice Is... art exhibition on Thursday.

The free-of-charge exhibition is jointly organised by the hospice and Lasalle College of the Arts, and is aimed at promoting hospice awareness. It will run at the college's McNally Street premises until Monday Oct 7, from 10am to 6pm daily, but will be closed for lunch from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

More than 200 decorated dove figurines - the dove being the hospice's symbol - were submitted by people from all walks of life, including hospice patients, their loved ones and community partners. The exhibits are up for sale, with proceeds going towards the hospice, which provides palliative care to terminally-ill patients.

"We all know that art has the ability to transcend barriers," said Professor Lionel Lee, Chairman of Dover Park Hospice. "We hope that this art exhibition will serve as a platform for Singaporeans to participate, share their perceptions on hospice care and promote an open discussion on the topic."