Suzanne Gregoire (choreography) with students from Children’s Shelter Foundation. 

“Universal Mother”

“Universal Mother” is a series of creative art workshops in celebration of Mother Earth, paying homage to our earthly mothers, and honoring all those who nurture others in a spirit of compassion.

This inaugural “Universal Mother” event was held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with students from Children’s Shelter Foundation and consisted of a dance and visual arts workshop. 

Students learned a piece created by visiting choreographer, Suzanne Gregoire, for the event with visual elements under the guidance of visiting artist, Timothy Lomas. 

Students created a large-scale garden mural as backdrop along with handmade decorative parasols and floral tiaras for the dance piece. 

The workshop culminated in a performance on August 12th, Queen Sirikit’s birthday, which is Thai Mother’s Day. 

This project provided an invaluable opportunity for cultural exchange, learning from one another, in a spirit of collaboration through the languages of visual arts and dance honoring all those who nurture others in a spirit of compassion.

Suzanne Gregoire (choreography) with students in their floral tiaras in front of our Mae Ping River Garden mural for the Universal Mother performance.

Suzanne Gregoire (Choreography)

Parasols painted with branches drying in the sun

Students cut dyed mulberry paper into floral shapes to be appliquès onto the parasols.

Young artists applying the dotting pattern around the flora and fauna.

Young students rehearsing their dance with the parasols

Young Thai students working on our mural

Suzanne Gregoire rehearsing with the students

Little Waput tries on one of our tiaras

One of our young students tries on her tiara

One of our young students making her floral tiara

Little Waput helps out with the dishes in his crown of flowers

Mae Ping River Garden Mural