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Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art

4/12/09 - By charlotte

Staten Island may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of Tibet, but the only Himalayan temple-style building in the whole U.S. calls the borough home. 

The museum opened in 1947 and houses the private collection of Jacques Marchais, which is the largest collection of Tibetan art in the West. It is on a lovely little hillside, with meditation gardens all around.

In addition to the extensive permanent collection of religious statues and objects, bronze figures and other art and paintings, the Tibetan Portrait: The Power of Compassion exhibit just opened. Tibetan Portrait has portraits, interactive displays and other objects to show the tradition and beliefs of the Tibetan people, and emphasizes cultural understanding and religious tolerance. It also highlights photographic portraits of Tibetan people (from everyday people to the Dalai Lama) by renowned contemporary artist, Phil Borges.

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Every October, the museum hosts a Tibetan festival. Past events have included prayer flag hoisting ceremonies, presentations on monastic education, children’s choral performances and Torma (butter sculpture) making demonstrations.

The museum also has tai chi and meditation classes, and special events and classes are offered on a changing schedule, so be sure to check out their calendar of events before you go. How to get here


Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art
338 Lighthouse Ave
718-987-3500
http://www.tibetanmuseum.org/
Under 6, Free
 

Places featured in this article:

Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art

About the Author

Charlotte Cusumano - Editorial Assistant

Charlotte was born in Staten Island, attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts, then Hunter College, and currently lives in her home borough. Although her heart is in New York, Charlotte and her husband-to-be are on a quest to visit all 50 states (we'll have set foot in at least 33 of them by the end of 2011!). When she's not working on Mommy Poppins, she's writing on her tumblr.

More About Charlotte

What do you read when you aren't reading Mommy Poppins?   
I'm one of the few twenty-somethings that still reads magazines. I'm talking print. New York is my favorite by far. I do go online, of course. I frequently visit Serious Eats, Slate, Gawker and various tumblrs.

What do you want to do when you grow up?   
Be an editor! A chef! A travel writer! I'm still pretty undecided.

What's your favorite thing about raising kids in NYC?
I'm not a mom—yet. But I was raised here, so I can say with confidence that families can do anything and expose their kids to everything in this amazing city.
 

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