On December 2nd, the Laomerica 50: American Laodyssey debuted at the Ann Arbor District Library in Michigan thanks to Lao Helping Lao, Laotian American Community of Michigan, and Refugee Garden Initatives who helped curator Bryan Thao Worra and Bay Koulabdara to bring the groundbreaking exhibit to the state.
The exhibit is believed to be one of the first and largest showcase of its kind in Michigan. It is community-driven, including over 150 pieces of art, archival photographs and historical objects reflecting a century of Laotian and Southeast Asian history, especially the first 50 years since Lao arrived in the US after the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Many members of the local Michigan community shared objects and photos of their journey for the very first time in public.
The exhibit wants to explore how the community is making the transition from a 1300s monarchy to democracies in the United States, Laos, and across the globe. This includes France, England, Australia, Canada, and many other nations. The question is especially important to them as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, and Michigan turns 190 years old in 2027. This year is the Year of the Nak and the 200th anniversary of the city of Ann Arbor, so the timing of the exhibit, readings and other community events has been seen as particularly auspicious.
“Lao American poet Bryan Thao Worra grew up in Michigan in the 1980s,” said Theep Phommavong, executive director Laotian American Community of Michigan. “He was recently here in Ann Arbor at the start of the year presenting on intersections between Asian American literature and Buddhism, and was inducted into the Saline Area Schools Hall of Fame this October. He and Bay Koulabdara were presenting a massive exhibit at the Minneapolis Central Library over the Summer, and it made sense for them to bring this wonderful exhibit here with a look at the way Michigan connects to our shared journeys.”
Throughout the exhibit, community members wanted to ask: What does the Lao imagination look like after 5 decades in the US? How do we share our stories through both our traditional techniques and new approaches, including painting, illustration, digital art, and emerging techniques? What traditional myths, legends and folklore will we share and update, and what entirely new stories will we create?
To give a glimpse at the answers the community found, you can see the work of Generation X, Millennial and Gen Z artists, and elders of the Laotian community. This includes work from the ethnic Lao, Khmu, Lue, Iu Mien, and Hmong communities, demonstrating that the possible answers are incredibly diverse.
The artists have taken on these questions, responding to many familiar images, such as depictions of the Buddha to the legends of Nak, Lao epics, the story of Hanoumane and many others. In other instances, they have used their imagination to share all new ideas on who we have been and who might become.
Michigan has a large Laotian refugee population in the United States, including over 9,500 ethnic Lao, Khmu, Tai Dam, Tai Daeng, Iu Mien, Hmong and others. At least 6,000 members of the community are Hmong, who did not have a written language until the 20th century, making their literary journeys remarkable. One of the very first Hmong American creative writing journals, Paj Ntaub Voice, turned 30 years old this year. In April, 2025, the famed SatJaDham Lao Literary project will turn 30 years old as well.
Many don’t know the story of the veterans and others who were engaged in the US Secret War in Laos, or the issues that remain long after the end of the fighting, such over 30% of the countryside still contaminated with unexploded cluster bombs. Next year will be the 15th anniversary since the United Nations Convention on Cluster Munitions went into effect, but the there is still much work to be done to clear these deadly objects from Laos.
Laomerica 50: American Laodyssey features the art of Lao American artists across the country including Bay Koulabdara, Sisavanh Phouthavong Houghton, Nor Sanavongsay, Loy Khambay Correa, Oura Sananikone, Renee Ya, Vilayvanh Bender, Seexeng Lee, John Wilheim, Krysada Panusith Phounsiri, and many others.
Among the numerous anniversaries and significant dates they are recognizing throughout this exhibit are the 20th anniversaries of Legacies of War and the 10th anniversary of the Pom Foundation with Kinnaly Traditional Music and Dance of Seattle, and Sahtu Press. This January will mark the one-year anniversary of Laotian American Community of Michigan, who will soon began preparations for a traditional music and dance camp with the Lao Heritage Foundation next summer.
Many parts of the exhibit will next be displayed in March at Alliance Francaise in Minneapolis during a special showcase on Laos.
The Laomerica 50: American Laodyssey exhibit is on display in Michigan until January 12th at the Ann Arbor District Library between regular hours (10AM-8PM) except for holidays. Parking is free on Sundays.
This exhibit was made possible in part thanks to generous support from Lao Helping Lao, Laotian American Community of Michigan, Refugee Garden Initiatives, the Laomagination Project and the SEALit Center. A special closing reception will be held on January 11th at Market Place Hall in Ypsilanti, Michigan from 7PM to Midnight. Tickets will be $10 for the occasion. A closing presentation will be held on January 12th at the library from 5-7 PM.
