The State University of New York at Fredonia will host the “The Mystical Arts of Tibet,” featuring the Tibetan Monks of the Drepung Monastery, at the Rockefeller Arts Center Art Gallery from Saturday, Oct. 23 to Wednesday, Oct. 27.
 
A photo exhibition with works from the Tibet Image Bank of London will open on Saturday, Oct. 23 and on display in the Art Gallery through Wednesday, Nov. 17. All events scheduled as part of “The Mystical Arts of Tibet” are free and open to the public.
 
The Mandala Sand Painting Exhibit is a unique spiritual process that the monks of the Drepung Monastery believe spiritually cleanses the earth and its inhabitants.
 
The project will begin with a public reception on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 4 p.m. in the Rockefeller Arts Center Art Gallery. At this time, the monks will consecrate the gallery with traditional Tibetan music, chants and mantra recitations. Work will then begin on both the mandala exhibit and a community sand painting, which all area residents are invited to help complete.
 
Groups from Wal-Mart and the Westfield Academy and Central School have already agreed to participate in the creation of the piece, which is designed by SUNY Fredonia student Lauren Walkowski. The community sand painting will remain on display in the art gallery until Wednesday, Nov. 17.
 
In addition to the public reception on Saturday, Oct. 23, the Rockefeller Arts Center Art Gallery will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday, Oct. 25 to Wednesday, Oct. 27.
 
Groups or individuals interested in participating in the community sand painting are welcome to sign up for work times. For more information about “The Mystical Arts of Tibet,” please call June Miller-Spann at (716) 673-4897 or by email.
 
“The Mystical Arts of Tibet” is a Richard Gere-Drepung Loseling production. The visit to the Rockefeller Arts Center Art Gallery is sponsored by the Carnahan-Jackson Humanities Fund of the Fredonia College Foundation, Tops Friendly Markets, Wal-Mart, the Department of History, the Department of Visual Arts and New Media, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Friends of Rockefeller Arts Center, Art Forum and the Spectrum Entertainment Board.