Oct 2006 - Jan 2007
The Quiet In The Land Exposition
Luang Prabang, Laos
For more info, contact tiaonith@laoheritagefoundation.org

June 22-Aug 12 2006
Exhibition L' Heritage du Mekhong
Seven Orients
76 avenue de Saint Mande, 75012 Paris
For more info, contact tiaonith@laoheritagefoundation.org

April-May 2006
Temple Decorating Project, Richmond, CA

With help from the local Lao community, Prince Nithakhong Somsanith decorated the Richmond temple with motifs that he had brought from Luang Prabang. The project involved educating the community the art of creating and applying stenciling to temple walls using gold-leafs and lacquer. The success of this project was evidenced by the overwhelming support and assistance that the community provided to the artist. He instilled an increased sense of pride not only in the temple itself, but also in Lao culture and art.

With only a few weeks' work, the temple was not completely decorated. As a result, Prince Somsanith will return to Richmond in 2007 to complete the decoration.

April 1-30 2006
Asian Art Museum
Asia Alive Program, San Francisco, CA

Prince Somsanith will be demonstrating four forms of art at the San Francisco Museum of Art as part of the Asian Alive program. Each week he will showcase a different type of art:

April 1–9: stenciling for architectural decorations and gold-thread embroidery
April 13–16: gold-thread embroidery
April 20–23: banana leaf ceremonial flower arrangements for festivals and daily use (these arrangements will be used in the Lao New Year Celebration on April 22)
April 27–30: lacquer art with gold-leaf stencils

Lao New Year Ceremony of Prayers and Good Wishes (Baci) >>more about baci
Saturday, April 22 1:00–3:00 pm
Samsung Hall
Free with museum admission

Join the Bay Area Lao community in this important annual New Year celebration. In the morning, museum visitors may observe AsiaAlive artist Prince Nithakhong Somsanith preparing the centerpiece of the ceremony with flowers and other offerings. The ceremony starts at 1:00 pm with a Lao elder leading a chant. Other elders in attendance will receive honors and gifts from the community; then all participants will receive blessings.

For days and times of demonstration, please visit http://www.asianart.org/asiaalive.htm

March 2006
Promotion of Lao Culture, Washington, DC

This project will be a collaboration of the Lao Heritage Foundation, the World Bank, and other local organizations to showcase Lao culture. There will be a slide show on Lao culture, religion, and history. There will be traditional Lao dancing, traditional music performances (Lao violin), a fashion show of ethnic tribal clothes, an exhibit of Prince Nithakhong Somsanith’s paintings and Lao textiles from his collection, a reception with Lao food, and merchandise for sale to support the foundation’s projects and activities.

January 2006
Painting/Embroidery Exhibit, Vientiane, Lao P.D.R.

The French Embassy and the National Cultural Center in Vientiane will host Prince Somsanith’s artwork and collection from January 8 to January 31, 2006.