The Flaten Art Museum at St. Olaf College is presenting "Gateway to Himalayan Art," a traveling exhibition from the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art that introduces the forms, concepts, and traditions of Himalayan art and cultures. The exhibition features objects from the Rubin Museum's collection along with multimedia elements from its educational initiative, Project Himalayan Art, and will be on view from September 12 to December 7, 2025. A companion exhibition, "Tashi Delek, Minnesota! (Auspicious Blessings, Minnesota!)," curated by Thor Anderson and Karil Kucera with the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota, will run concurrently, highlighting the public life of Tibetan Minnesotans through photographs and videos.
This exhibition matters because it addresses the underrepresentation of Tibetan and Himalayan art in liberal arts curricula, broadening students' understanding of these traditions. It also reflects a unique partnership with the Rubin Museum's 'global museum' model, emphasizing education and access, while engaging Minnesota's large Tibetan community. The show fosters cross-cultural learning and collaboration among educators, making it a significant local and educational event.