Myanmar Alive: Art for Opportunity Event
Immersive Myanmar Art and Food Experience Brings Memory to Life While Raising Funds for Education
Prospect Burma is soon to be launching Myanmar Alive: Art for Opportunity, an immersive art exhibition at Arponnar restaurant from 17 to 24 September 2026. The exhibition will bring together a powerful collection of multi-sensory visual and performance art experiences celebrating the rich tapestry of Myanmar life.
But this will be more than a window into a culture; it is a testament to what survives when human beings are given the tools to carry their heritage forward. Education is that tool. When a young person in Myanmar is given the gift of a scholarship, they are given something far greater than access to a classroom — they are given the means to become the next keeper of a human story, the next painter of a tradition, the next architect of a community's future.
As you take your journey exploring Myanmar food, its streets, its customs, and its soul, we invite you not only to witness the beauty and resilience of the Myanmar people, but to become part of the force that sustains it.
Myanmar Alive: Art for Opportunity features a collection of affordable artworks capturing everyday life in Myanmar from the following artists:
Chuu Wai Nyein
Hsu Yadanar Htet
Kalyar Ei Ei Lwin
Khin May Moe
Khin Thawdar Khine
Matthew Gibbons
May Thu Khine (Beam)
Ohn Mar Win
Zoe Matthews
The aromas of freshly prepared food enhance the immersive experience, complementing the visual and audio elements of the exhibition and evoking a strong sense of place and memory. Arponnar Restaurant specialises in authentic Burmese cuisine, featuring dishes and street food snacks rarely found outside of Myanmar. Visitors can enjoy a meal or light snack, deepening their cultural experience, and those who sign up to Prospect Burma’s newsletter will receive 10% off food during the exhibition.
The exhibition will be open daily during Arponnar’s opening hours (see below) and is free to visit. During the week there will be a number of activities to engage in:
Opening Party - Be among the first to experience and purchase original artworks at the launch of the exhibition. 17 September 2026, 18.30 to 20.30, £15 per person. Book here.
Myanmar Feast for the Senses - Gather around the table for an immersive evening celebrating the flavours, traditions, art and soundscapes of Myanmar, inspired by the Burmese tradition of Htamin Waing (sharing food, conversation and connection). Discover the stories of talented young people whose education is helping shape Myanmar's future, while enjoying a carefully curated Burmese dining experience. 19 September 2026, 19.00–21.00. Tickets £40. Book here.
Burmese Vegetables in Watercolour: a creative workshop with Ohn Mar Win - Join renowned illustrator Ohn Mar Win for a relaxed, hands-on watercolour workshop inspired by the colours and forms of Burmese vegetables. Suitable for all abilities, the session includes Burmese tea and light refreshments. 20 September 2026, 15.00 to 17.00, £35. Book here.
At its heart, Myanmar Alive: Art for Opportunity is about turning reflection into action. Proceeds from artwork sales and the events will support Prospect Burma, which addresses Myanmar’s education crisis following the 2021 coup by enabling talented young people, particularly from disadvantaged, rural, and conflict-affected backgrounds, to access high-quality international higher education, both in-person and online. These scholarships equip young people with the skills to rebuild their futures, support their communities, and form the long-term foundation for a more stable, peaceful and prosperous Myanmar.
“Each artwork is a window into a Myanmar that many people remember,” said Dr Joanna Barnard, CEO at Prospect Burma. “By pairing these visual memories with sound and food, we are inviting people to experience Myanmar in a more personal way, while also encouraging investment in its future. We are particularly proud to feature work by our students, May Thu Khine (Beam), currently studying for a Master’s in Expressive Arts Therapy, Hsu Yadanar Htet, studying for a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design, and our alumna, Kalyar Ei Ei Lwin, who graduated with a Master’s in Social Sciences. They all use art to support wellbeing, strengthen cultural identity, and contribute to Myanmar’s long-term recovery. The memories captured in the art - of vibrant communities, rich traditions, and everyday resilience - are the very foundations that education helps to preserve and rebuild.”
Myanmar Alive: Art for Opportunity highlights the link between memory and possibility, showing how culture can become a force for renewal. It invites audiences not just to observe, but to listen, taste, reflect, and act, thereby transforming art into a shared experience that supports education and lasting change.
Event Details:
Location: Arponnar Restaurant, 21 Walm Ln, London NW2 5SH
Date: 17 to 24 September 2026
During restaurant opening hours: from 13.00 to 22.00, except Tuesdays (18.00 to 22.00) and Saturday/Sunday (11.00 to 22.00)
For more information:
Please contact: information@prospectburma.org
