The Choki Traditional Art School (CTAS) was established in 1999 by the Bhutanese artist Dasho Choki Dorji with five students. The school offers economically disadvantaged children from across Bhutan the possibility of studying the traditional arts, mainly thanka (scroll) painting, patra (carving), thag-zo (weaving) and tshem-zo (embroidery).

During a visit to Bhutan in November 2008, Elsa and Mario Fontana had the chance to visit CTAS and decided to make an initial investment of three large electric cookers for the kitchen to replace the wood cooking.

In 2010 the school had 101 registered students, all boys. One later, also girls were admitted at CTAS. The student headcount has grown every year. In 2018 the school had 169 students registered, 121 boys and 48 girls.

In 2010 Fontana Foundation took over the role of the principal donor of CTAS, developed the school and financed its growth. Computers and sewing machines were installed, new curricula implemented, and many other initiatives carried out. After 10 years of intensive support, Fontana Foundation terminated its support for CTAS at the end of 2018.

For more information go to www.chokischool.org