Chiang Mai Art Connecting (CMAC)

An Ongoing Movement of Art and Exchange

Launched in late 2019, Chiangmai Art Connecting (CMAC) began as an extension of Hanoi Art Connecting, founded by Trinh Tuan of Asian Art Link (AAL). Initiated by La Luna Gallery as part of its founding vision, CMAC-I aimed to create a platform for artists across Southeast Asia to explore shared creativity and express complex emotions through visual language—often saying what words cannot.

In its inaugural edition, 19 artists came together, supported by AAL, Bluechips Microhouse, and La Luna Gallery. Workshops and collaborative art-making set the tone for what would become a recurring international initiative. However, just as the project was gaining momentum, the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world—and CMAC—to a pause.

In September 2020, amidst ongoing restrictions, La Luna Gallery hosted “Reconnecting”, a local exhibition that revived CMAC’s core purpose: fostering human connection through art. The original CMAC-I collection continued to be shown in rotation, keeping the spirit of exchange alive.

With global conditions improving, CMAC-II returned in 2023 under the theme “How the World Changed After the Pandemic.” This edition welcomed 35 artists from Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and parts of Europe, expanding both the scope and impact of the project. Alongside exhibitions, lacquer painting demonstrations by AAL members deepened CMAC’s commitment to traditional craft and cultural sharing.

Following overwhelmingly positive feedback and increased engagement from artists and visitors alike, the organizing team—AAL, Bluechips Microhouse, La Luna Gallery, and Art Connecting—announced plans for CMAC-III, scheduled for November 2025. From this edition forward, CMAC will adopt a biennial format, continuing to bring artists together under evolving themes that spark dialogue, collaboration, and cross-cultural understanding.