In the summer of 2022 GLOCAP sponsored the Mae Ping Creative Art Workshop with the hill-tribe students of The Children’s Shelter Foundation in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Creative Art Workshop was led by Timothy Lomas (Visual Art), and Suzanne Grégoire (Choreography), and involved local teachers and artists such as Jarm Patcharee, Worawuth Srakeo, and Torpong Wannawati.

This year’s theme was “Mae Ping” (Ping River) which is the river that flows beside the River Farm where the students learn sustainable organic farming. The month-long workshop began with drawings and studies of the flora and fauna of Thailand which were then incorporated into murals which were painted in the girls and boys dorms.

We then moved onto making props and backdrops for the dance performance. These included a large mural of Doi Suthep (Suthep Mountain), over 100 Koinobori (Japanese paper Koi kites), Parasols with wind and cloud motifs (led by Jarm Patcharee), Origami Loy Krathung (floral lanterns placed on the rivers on the full moon in November),floral garlands, and lots of blue confetti for rain.

Upon Ms. Grégoire’s arrival the students focused on various aspects of the “Mae Ping” dance performance which touches on a peaceful life in harmony with nature, the seasons, and the flowing river. The art workshop culminated with a festive art exhibition and performances by the students of traditional Thai Drumming and dance, plus the debut performance of “Mae Ping” (a river dance from Chiang Mai) on August 12th, Queen Sirikit’s Birthday, which is also Thai Mother’s Day.

You can see a video of the dance performance at this link: Mae Ping (a river dance from Chiang Mai) This was our first international on-site event due to the pandemic and the students were eager and enthusiastic participants.  Our days were filled with the joy and laughter of working together in a spirit of creativity and collaboration.