Women, Art & The Spirit of Giving
Exhibition
Exhibition curated by Purnima Ruanglertbutr at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, March 2026
Overview
About the exhibition
An International Women’s Day exhibition showcasing nine artists from the Teachers as Practitioners (TAPs) Continuing Professional Learning (CPL) Programme at Bangkok Patana School. Selected from a cohort of over 30 academic and business staff, the exhibition celebrates artistic practice, professional identity and the International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain, demonstrating how creativity, generosity and collaboration inspire growth, empowerment and positive change.
TAPs culminated in the inaugural staff exhibition, Patana Canvases: Unveiling the Artistic Practices of Our Community, celebrating participants’ artistic practices and personal journeys across photography, painting, embroidery, sculpture, music, creative writing and performance. Grounded in pioneering research originating at the University of Melbourne, the programme demonstrates how sustained creative practice enriches wellbeing, strengthens community and fosters curiosity, innovation and lifelong learning.
MEET THE ARTISTS
Explore the stories, inspirations and artistic practices of the featured artists through their reflections and selected works in the exhibition brochure.
Discover more about the artists and their creative journeys through the International Women’s Day 2026 feature in the Bangkok Patana School Magazine.
Curator's statement
Concept
In the spirit of the programme, these women artists present their work in support of the International Women’s Day 2026 ‘Give to Gain’ campaign — giving to self through commitment to their passions, time, growth and creative exploration; giving to community through connection and shared stories; and giving to others with purpose and generosity. Their work reminds us that when we nurture creativity within, we uplift and inspire the communities around us.
Through their participation in the ‘Teachers as Practitioners’ (TAPs) Continued Professional Learning (CPL) Programme, these women artist-educators and leaders explore the relationship between their creative practice, professional roles, and the themes, global issues, and causes they champion. Educators so often give their all to their profession; TAPs creates space for them to give back to themselves. The project demonstrates the personal and professional benefits of sustained artistic practice — enhancing well-being, deepening pedagogical growth, and modelling the transformative power of the arts in education.
Exhibition Display
Curatorial Enquiries
If you are interested in engaging Purnima as a curator, writer, or editor for your exhibition, collaborating on a project, or seeking more information, please feel free to contact us.