Exhibition at Colorado State University Features Rare Thai Textiles

The Curfman Gallery at Colorado State University’s Lory Student Center willhost an exhibit of rare, hand-woven textiles from the Ancient Kingdom of Lan Na in Northern Thailand March 1 through April 10. Two lectures scheduled for March 2 and March 30 will be held in conjunction with the exhibit.

The exhibit, shown only once before outside Thailand, is presented by the Center for the Promotion of Arts and Culture at Chiang Mai University, Thailand. The exhibit is on loan from the private collection of Sonsak Prangwatanakun, world-renowned expert on Thai textiles, and other collectors. The exhibit focuses on the people of northern Thailand and documents the beautiful designs and styles of traditional fabrics. The exhibit and lectures are free and open to the community.

The opening gallery talk by Ginny Dofflemyer, Southeast Asian art historian and professor at the California College of Arts and Crafts, will begin at 6 p.m. March 2 in the Curfman Gallery.

On March 30, four distinguished Thai scholars will lecture and present a slide show at 6 p.m. in the Curfman Gallery. Vithi Phanichphant, Sonsak Prangwatanakun, Ameeta Sony and Kruamas Woodtikarn of Chiang Mai University, Thailand will give the talk.

University sponsors include Associated Students of Colorado State University, Thai Student Association, Office of the Provost, Curfman Gallery, Asian Studies/Office of International Programs, Division of Student Affairs Parents’ Fund, the College of Liberal Arts, the Center for Applied Studies in American Ethnicity, Fibers Unit in the Department of Art, Department of Design and Merchandising, Department of Philosophy, International Studies Program and Asian/Pacific American Student Services. Community sponsors include Sri Thai Restaurant, Thai Pepper Restaurant and Toy’s Thai Cafe.

For more information, call Gretchen Gerding at (970) 491-5917.