Over the last couple of years, Chiang Mai has blossomed as an ultimate haven for Digital Nomads and individuals with an artistic soul. With its countless Wi-Fi powered cafes and co-working spaces, along with its many activities such as yoga, meditation, nature hikes and more, the city has positioned itself as a central spot for great quality of life. However, what makes Chiang Mai so thriving and unique, is the presence of art. From ancient times, the city has been heavily influenced by art. In fact, it only takes a walk through the Buddhist temples to see the blending of gold, rock and beautiful colors coming together naturally as ultimate works of art. It is evident that Chiang Mai has been the perfect spot for the arts for a while. Today, art is still present through the many galleries, temples, museums and workshops constantly happening around town. Any artist coming here will fall in love with the city and can easily fill a schedule with a variety of activities that might not even be enough for just one trip. Here are some of the ways you can experience art in the Chiang Mai:

Wattana Art Gallery

Chiang Mai is so big in museums and galleries, putting together a perfect mix of classical and contemporary art. One of the best examples is the Wattana Art Gallery, a popular gallery with multiple examples of fine art, spread across its three floors. In this place, you can enjoy the work of Wattana Wattanapun, a seasoned artist who has traveled the world and taught at prestigious institutions in America. Wattana's work is a creative encounter of symbols of the past within a contemporary context. The works of this gallery include textiles, nature, portraits, abstract art, mixed media and handmade paper. Wattana Art Gallery is well situated within the Su Thep area, on Soi Wat Umong, just off the Su Thep main road. You can visit them any day between 9:00 in the morning all the way to 16:30.

Noina Art Studio

If you're the kind of person who doesn't want to simply contemplate someone else' work but instead, intends to get some of your own art work done, Noina Art Studio might be the place for you. With only 200 Baht you can easily join an hour session that will equip you with all the materials and the guidance needed to awake your inner artist. Some of the activities you can find here include: drawing courses, painting, pencil art, watercolor, oil color and mix media. Getting to this studio is practical since it is within the walls of the old city, in the corner, right on the north eastern side. The best part about this studio is that experience is not necessary, which makes Noina a safe and comfortable space for anyone who always had an interest in art, but was afraid of trying. Their schedule and programming are so flexible that you are likely to get into an art session if you really want to.

Baan Kang Wat

If the experience at Noina sounds interesting, then you'll find Baan Kang Wat to be a feast for your senses. This little crafty village is heaven for all of those seeking to explore the artsy side of Chiang Mai. Not only the place is filled with multiple shops, this place also offers spaces for you to connect with like-minded people, which allows you to find a community that shares common interests with you. Some of the shops here are in fact owned by the most promising artists that display their work in apparel, frames, postcards and little souvenirs that reflect their love and dedication to their craft. Baan Kang Wat also offers a lot of space for artists to connect with each other, while still being surrounded by beautiful architecture and events that keep them thriving. There's a coffee shop and an amphitheater that host multiple events that go from film screenings and musical acts, where you are likely to find some local indie artists that you'll want to add to your playlist later on. On Sunday, villagers come for a Farmer's Market that runs from 8am to 1pm. If you explore each of the shops, you might find some authentic souvenirs that are a bit different from what people normally get in their trips to Thailand. After all, when it comes to giving art, there is no way you can go mainstream. Every piece is unique.

Jai Thep Festival

In a city so filled with art, festivals are a must. While pretty much every festival in town carries its own set of artistic and cultural aspects, there are other festivals that intentionally celebrate arts. One of these is Jai Thep. At first sight, anyone might think Jai Thep is just another music festival to add to the list. However, what makes Jai Thep so different is that it goes beyond the typical festival set up with a couple of music stages and food vendors. Along with the music stages and the food, Jai Thep is filled with a lot of workshops that will surely get you to try things you hadn't tried or seen before. In fact, the organizers of this festival promise to bring music, arts and magic to its attendants, which is a pretty accurate statement, considering all the events you get to experience when you are there. This past year they offered figure drawing, jungle ballet, dancemandala among other activities that can only fit in a setting like Chiang Mai. Jai Thep usually happens towards the beginning of February, so make sure to add it to your calendar, especially if you need an escape from winter or if you got the holiday blues after all the new year celebrations.

With so many galleries, workshops, festivals, and thriving communities of artists, Chiang Mai's art scene is just getting bigger and more diverse each year. So, next time you come to town, make sure you connect with the art events happening in here. You won't be disappointed.