While things in Luang Prabang may have slowed down with the low season, TAEC has been keeping busy the past few months!
Since April we have welcomed a new staff member, completed staff research projects on a variety of topics related to Laos' ethnic diversity, prepared to send our Co-Director and a Yao artisan to America for a month, and had many opportunities to participate in staff training activities.
In July, TAEC Co-Director, Khoun Soutthivilay, and Yao Mien artisan, Famchoy Saely, will be travelling in the United States for one week after the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market as a part of the Voluntary Visitor Programme (VOLVIS). VOLVIS was established by the United States State Department to allow foreign individuals chosen by US Embassies to meet with American professionals in their field. During their travels, Khoun and Famchoy will meet with museum and textile professionals, Southeast Asian specialists, and members of the Lao diaspora in the greater New York, San Francisco, and Minneapolis metropolitan areas. Their tentative itinerary is below:
Wednesday, 18 July - Saturday, 21 July San Francisco, California
Sunday, 22 July - Wednesday, 25 July Minneapolis, Minnesota
Thursday, 26 July - Saturday, 28 July New York, New York
If you live in any of these areas and would be interested in participating in one of their public events, please contact
For those of you in the Bay Area, on Saturday, 21 July, Khoun and Famchoy will be giving a talk at the Folk Art Gallery in San Rafael, organised by the Textile Arts Council of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
See the TAC website for more information.