Date: June 3, 2008
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director, Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu

PNC, Michiana Resources Host "Mystical Mandalas" Exhibit

Westville – The Purdue University North Central Odyssey 2007-08 Arts and Cultural Events Series continues its ongoing exhibit featuring the work of the Michiana Resources Creative Concepts artists with the new show, “Mystical Mandalas.”

The Creative Concepts artwork is on display on the first floor of the Library-Student Faculty Building in display cases located adjacent to Room 144. The exhibit may be viewed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The show “Dream Catchers…” a collection of 19 dream catchers from Creative Concepts artists, also continues in the PNC Technology Building North Study Lounge.

The art displayed at PNC and at Michiana Resources is for sale. Half of all sales go to the artist, the other back into the program. 

“Mystical Mandalas” is a collection of 32 mandalas. This is Michiana Resources' sixth and largest exhibit with PNC. The pieces in the collection were all done under the direction of Kelly Tokoly-Rothermel, art instructor.

Mandala is a Sanskirt word that means “whole world” or “healing circle.” From Native American and Tibetan sand paintings to Gothic rose windows and Hindu yantras, mandalas are used as symbols for meditation, protection and healing. Examples of mandalas are found in common places. The cells of the body, the iris of the eye, snow crystals, bird's nests, bicycle wheels, flowers and planets are all examples of mandalas.

The mandalas in this show were made out of canvas boards, cardboard, tempera paint, beads, sequins, buttons, glitter and similar materials. Tokoly-Rothermel noted that students picked out their own decorations and their placement within their circle patterns upon their favorite color painted boards.

Creative Concepts artists also have 18 pieces of artwork on display in the “Trash to Treasures VIII” exhibition going at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond . The show runs until July 25 and features art made from reused or recycled materials.

Construction of the Creative Concepts studio-gallery-gift Shop is progressing. The walls have drywall and the lights all have been installed. Completion is predicted by the end of summer with the grand-opening attentively scheduled for September.

According to Tokoly-Rothermel, “The gallery will bring artists, activities and events to our clients – while the gift shop will help them showcase and sell their own art. The studio will provide the proper facilities for our clients to explore their talents, expand their abilities and produce their own artwork. Everyone is excited about the play, and are anxiously watching the construction of our new facility.”

Purdue University North Central Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series features various events throughout the year. A complete schedule of events can be found at www.pnc.edu . For more information about any event in the Odyssey series, contact Judy Jacobi, PNC director of marketing, at 800-872-1231 ext. 5593. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Jacobi.

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