Cy Thao

A Minnesota legislator for eight years, local businessman and community leader Cy Thao has returned to his first passion, art. Cy, who came to the US after the Vietnam War, came to a realization during college about his disconnection from his own history. After 5 years of work, he completed a series of 50 paintings entitled The Hmong Migration depicting the story of Hmong coming to Minnesota.

Cy Thao spent five years creating The Hmong Migration, his epic series of fifty paintings depicting Hmong immigrants' journey from war torn Laos to Minnesota. The Hmong Migration was recently purchased by the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for its permanent collection. Thao, who fled Laos with his family when he was three and went on to become a Minnesota state legislator, hopes his work will help educate Hmong youth and other Minnesotans about the rich history of Hmong Americans, and reinforce our shared community. Minnesota Music in this Segment: Greg Herriges http://www.gregherriges.com

Air Date 12/16/10