On Monday, 1st December 2025, all High School Art students from NIS, including AP Art students from Grades 9 to 12, go on an Art Field Trip intended to extend their learning from the classroom. From 8:30 AM up to 2:50 PM, students make stops at major art spaces in Chiang Mai such as Art in Paradise Chiang Mai, MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum, and Jing Jai Gallery. This provides first-hand exposure to different artistic practices, and students observe a wide range of styles and techniques.
Art in Paradise Chiang Mai
Art in Paradise Chiang Mai is the most interactive stop of all during the field trip. Characterized by large 3D paintings, this is a museum that offers optical illusions, making it seem as if visitors are part of the artworks. The students spend much time taking pictures and observing how every image they see changes depending on the angle at which it is viewed. This shows how art can be approached in an ingenious and accessible way, highlighting a lighter and more playful side of visual expression.
MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum
In contrast, MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum presents installations, videos, and mixed-media pieces in quiet, softly lit galleries. Exhibitions at this museum usually deal with themes of family, memory, and personal history. The atmosphere is much more somber and invites viewers to concentrate on each piece closely.
One of the featured pieces is Dinner with Cancer (Rebirth) by Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook. The installation features medical equipment, an empty hospital bed, and soft lighting. The original piece is created during the period when the artist’s father is receiving treatment, and much of the material comes from the hospital. Araya writes that “life drowns in the bowl of sickness” when referring to the context in which the work is created. The new version includes a wall drawing taken from one of her recent stories that the artist says “carries the weight of a daughter’s memories.”
La Luna Art Museum
As part of the art field trip curriculum, students visited the La Luna Art Museum, which features a curated collection dedicated to preserving and showcasing traditional Thai handcrafts and ancient Lanna art forms. The exhibition layout effectively juxtaposed intricately woven textiles and lacquerware with complementary paintings and statues, creating a cohesive visual narrative that highlighted the historical and artistic significance of each artifact. During the observational segment of the visit, students were tasked with documenting specific design elements; notable attention was paid to a display of carafes. Several students took detailed photographs of these objects, focusing on their form and surface details as part of the assignment to analyze the intersection of functional design and artistic expression within the museum’s context.
Jing Jai Gallery
In the afternoon, students visit Jing Jai Gallery, which hosts various exhibitions on local and contemporary artists in Chiang Mai. The open gallery layout allows students to independently explore the artworks. Approximately one hour is spent here for free viewing and observation.
The field trip provides a clear look at the different forms of contemporary art present in Chiang Mai. From large museum installations to interactive spaces and open galleries, each place represents a different way in which artists communicate ideas. The visit helps organize information about both the artworks and the locations, turning the whole day into a useful experience in understanding how art is presented in different environments.
