Om Tat Sat: Reflections from Mumbai to Kolkata

February 3, 2017

Created while journeying across India, Om Tat Sat is an exhibition of photographs by Maria Cusumano and Mark Towner, presented in the Spencer Presentation Gallery in the Walter J. Manninen Center for the Arts at Endicott College. Gathered as they traveled eastward from Mumbai to Kolkata, the artists were immersed in historic and sacred sites, and twenty-first century modernity. 

“These two photographers successfully captured a nuanced view on their travels to India that acknowledges both past and present, indigenous traditions and imported customs,” expressed Dr. Sarah Kennel of the Peabody Essex Museum.

The exhibition runs from Monday, February 6 through Saturday, May 20, 2017. Towner and Cusumano are hosting a gallery talk at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29, followed by a reception: All events are free and open to the public.

Both artists are on staff at Endicott College; Mark Towner is Dean of Visual and Performing Arts and Maria Cusumano is Fine Arts faculty. Together they visited world-renowned historic and religious sites including Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Konark Sun Temple, Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree, Sarnath and Varansasi, Mother Teresa’s Mission, and Mahatma Gandhi’s Mani Bhaven.

Said Dr. Rossi-Le of Endicott College: “The greatest lessons that faculty provide often occur beyond the studio, when they make public their craft and vision, sharing the results of their own artistic endeavors.”

The two artists met at Cranbrook Academy of Art where they both earned their M.F.A. degrees. Appointed Dean in 2000, Towner held previous positions at the University of Iowa, Ohio University, and Wayne State University. Additionally, he held appointments at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Craft Museum.  Cusumano has been teaching figure drawing, drawing and composition, and Carl Jung and the arts since 2001, following academic appointments at St. Ambrose University and Saint Mary’s College – Notre Dame. Previously she held positions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Craft Museum, and the International Center of Photography. 

All events and programming are free and open to the public, and are funded in part by the van Otterloo Family Foundation. If you have any questions regarding Om Tat Sat or the gallery talk and reception, or if you are interested in having a gallery talk for your group, please contact Kathleen Moore at 978-232-2655 or kmoore@endicott.edu.

Gallery Hours:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 1:00 – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed February 20, March 11, 12, 18 and 19, April 15, 16, and 17
Reduced Hours :  March 13 – 17; and May 5 – May 20, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. No weekend or evening hours.
Galleries are closed when the College is closed for holidays and inclement weather.