Local Artists Share Memories of a Land Far Away

Nancy Frazier and Cecily Hunt traveled to Bhutan last spring and brought as much of the experience home with them as they could.

Now they are sharing those experiences with and its patrons via “Into Bhutan,” an exhibit of photographs and the traditional arts of Bhutan on display at the gallery through May 14.

“We’re pretty excited about it, it’s something different for us,” said gallery administrator Jessica Freudenberg.

While traveling, Frazier, the gallery’s volunteer coordinator, and Hunt, a photographer with ties to Union Street, took the photographs with small formal digital cameras. Upon their return, the photos were mounted and printed on gatorboard. They then approached the gallery and Union Street decided to run with it, Freudenberg said.

Hunt and Frazier chose as their subjects ordinary people, families, children at play, cultural events, pack horses, yaks, temples, Buddhist prayer flags and prayer wheels. Traditional clothing, such as a tonya, a garment worn by adult women, are also on display.

The kingdom of Bhutan is in the Himalayan mountains, south of Tibet and north of India. According to the gallery, Bhutan only opened itself to visitors in the late 1970s. and the number of guests allowed in each year is closely regulated.

While traveling Bhutan, Frazier and Hunt said they were drawn to one particular item in Bhutan’s culture, the kabney. The kabney is a raw silk scarf three feet by 10 feet; it is worn by men during ceremonial times to show respects and status. Kabneys are on exhibit at Union Street.

The artists also created a thangka, a scroll painting which is painted or embroidered with Buddhist deities or famous stories, especially for their show.

As part of the month-long event, Union Street will show the Bhutanese feature film, “Travelers and Magicians,” on April 29, 7-9 p.m. On April 30 and May 14, “Yoga Under the Prayer Flags” is scheduled 10-11 a.m., both dates.

There will be an artist lecture May 6, 7-9 p.m., and on May 7, 1-3 p.m., a beading demonstration. On May 14, the last day of the show, Union Street presents “Your Guide to Bhutan.” Phurba Phurba, who was Frazier’s and Hunt’s guide in Bhutan, will also be at the gallery on the lat day as a special guest and tour guide 12-3 p.m.

The gallery is located at 1527 Otto Blvd. in Chicago Heights. Gallery hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 12-5 p.m., Friday 12-6 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. There is no admission fee, but donations are appreciated. For more information call (708) 754-2601.