Mois de la Francophonie - Opening celebration
Discover our special exhibit and artistic performances
© Laomerica 50 Collection
Join us to celebrate Laos in all its colors and its diversity! Discover some historical artefacts to understand better Laos’ history and the country ties’ to France. We will start the evening by enjoying a traditional dance demonstration from Siengkane Lao MN following by a singing performance by artist Gaosong Heu, in Hmong and French.. Stay to discover the art of Hmong artist Tou Her, presenting Hmong traditions through his work.
In English
© Tou Her
About the artist TOU HER
After his family fled Laos from the Pathet Laos, Tou was born in the Ban Vinai refugee camp in 1981. Four years later, his family immigrated to Wisconsin to begin their new life. Growing up, he was interested in cartoons and comic books and started to copy the works. Despite having no talent with drawing or painting, he continued to pursue his passion and in his senior year, he decided to take the plunge and attend art school. At the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, he received his bachelor’s of Fine Art in Illustration and tried to enter the video game industry.
After many setbacks and failures to reach his goals, he took a break from art and raised a family. During his break, he didn’t give up his art and continued to hone his skills. After many years, he finally decided to pursue a career as an independent artist. His new goals were to promote his Hmong culture through the arts. To recreate the stories he heard as a child for his children who were more American than Hmong.
In 2018, he started Studio Tou, to promote the Hmong culture through his art and storytelling. He works in both traditional and digital mediums to bring his art to life and focuses on reconnecting the new generation with the old. He has self published two books to share with the world. Diaspora tells the folklore and history of the Hmong and Perilous Journey collects Hmong stories of the escape from Laos after the Secret War.
Tou continues to create new art and stories from his home as a Hmong-Minnesotan.
about the performer GAosong heu
Gaosong V. Heu is a Hmong American performance artist, musician, vocalist, published writer, educator, arts administrator and entrepreneur based in Saint Paul, MN.
Gaosong has over 15 years of training in Western Classical music, as well as training in traditional styles of Hmong folk music.
As a lover of all art and advocate for diversity, access and inclusion within the cultural sector, Gaosong received her B.A. in Theater Arts from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and her Masters of Arts in Arts Administration from Columbia University, class of 2020.
Gaosong is starring in the world premiere of "The Late Homecomer," a one-woman show based on the winning novel of beloved Hmong author, Kao Kalia Yang. This show is being produced by the theater company, Literature to Life based in New York City. "The Late Homecomer" premiered in the Spring of 2021 in New York City and features a national tour across the U.S.
When Gaosong is not performing or working as a consultant, she is the Co-Owner and Chief Operating Officer of Marc Heu Patisserie Paris, St. Paul's premier destination for french desserts and pastries.
This event is free and all are welcome. Please consider a $10 donation in order to support our cultural programs!