Retired law enforcement professional, motivational speaker, and content creator Frederick “Far Away Fred” Jones recently visited Studio 88 Artist Residency to explore its creative community and meet the artists shaping its vibrant atmosphere. This video on Youtube offers an insightful look at how the residency fosters artistic exchange, cultural connection, and personal growth in the peaceful surroundings of Doi Saket, Chiang Mai.
When travel creator Far Away Fred visited Studio 88 Artist Residency in Luang Nuea, Doi Saket, he found far more than a place to stay. He encountered a vibrant international community where artists live, create, exchange ideas, and connect with the surrounding culture and landscape of Northern Thailand.
In his latest feature, Fred explores the residency through conversations with artists and creatives who have chosen Studio 88 as a space to pause from their daily routines and immerse themselves in research, experimentation, and artistic practice. He also speaks with Studio 88’s Co-founder and Director, Sasiwimon Wongjarin (Aom), who shares the vision behind creating a welcoming environment where global perspectives meet local roots.
Nestled in the tranquil countryside just outside Chiang Mai, Studio 88 offers artists, writers, performers, and researchers the opportunity to retreat from everyday distractions and focus on meaningful creative work. Beyond providing accommodation and studio facilities, the residency encourages dialogue across disciplines and cultures while fostering connections with local communities.
Throughout the video, the featured artists reveal how the residency has shaped their work and personal journeys.
Visual artist Hilcia Pena discusses Threads of Identities, a multidisciplinary project combining photography, collage, and watercolour to explore the experiences of different ethnic communities. Her work reflects a belief that despite diverse cultures and backgrounds, shared human experiences continue to unite us.
For visual artist Jameel Haiat, art has also become a powerful tool for healing. Speaking openly about his own health challenges, he describes how the creative process helped channel pain into mindfulness and renewal. By tearing and reconstructing paper into abstract compositions, his work transforms symbols of violence and trauma into expressions of resilience—not only reflecting his own experiences but also those of people affected by war, poverty, migration, and everyday struggles around the world.
Writer and artist Aurélie Rousseau highlights the peaceful atmosphere of Studio 88, noting that its natural surroundings allow her to concentrate deeply on her writing while benefiting from the inspiration that comes from sharing space with fellow creatives. The informal exchange of ideas, techniques, and perspectives creates what she describes as an ideal co-working environment for artists.
Photographer and visual artist Ellamay Khongroj Fitzgerald uses her residency to reconnect with her family roots in Chiang Mai and explore stories of the Asian diaspora. Working with analogue photography, she embraces the slow, contemplative process of the darkroom, where memories gradually emerge and images come to life in ways that contrast with the fast pace of modern life.
Digital artist and producer Ayza Akhtar emphasises the value of sustained conversations within the residency community. Spending extended time alongside artists from different disciplines offers opportunities for dialogue that enrich creative practice and broaden understanding in ways that are difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Reflecting on the broader mission of the organisation, Aom describes Studio 88 as “a creative home where global voices meet local roots.” The residency welcomes artists and creatives from diverse cultural backgrounds, providing accommodation, studios, networking opportunities, and introductions to the local arts ecosystem while encouraging exchange with communities across Northern Thailand.
That commitment extends beyond resident artists. Through partnerships with local organisations, Studio 88 also supports community-based initiatives, including programmes that integrate creativity into early childhood development. Educator Maela explains how artistic expression allows children to communicate beyond words, fostering confidence, empathy, and meaningful human connection from a young age.
Fred echoes this sentiment in his closing reflections, observing that when children create art, they communicate through presence and expression rather than language alone. In those quiet moments of making, art becomes a universal means of understanding one another.
His visit ultimately paints a portrait of Studio 88 not simply as an artist residency, but as a place where creativity, culture, and community come together—offering space for reflection, collaboration, healing, and discovery in the heart of Northern Thailand.
Studio 88 would like to thank Fred for this insightful featured video about Studio 88 on Far Away Fred Youtube Channel.
About Fred
Frederick “Fred” Jones is a retired Public Information Officer from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office with extensive experience in law enforcement, crisis intervention, and officer wellness. A nationally certified Emotional Intelligence trainer, de-escalation specialist, and motivational speaker, he has delivered presentations at TED events, conferences, and educational institutions across the United States. Fred holds degrees in Public Administration and Criminal Justice and is recognised for his commitment to community engagement and professional development. Now based in Thailand, he documents his travels and cultural experiences through his YouTube channel, Far Away Fred, sharing stories that connect people, places, and local communities.
Studio 88 accepts applications on an ongoing basis. Check out our residency program and apply now.
Studio 88 Artist Residency 