About Thangde Gatsal Thangka Painting Studio

Thangde Gatsal Studio is located in the Himalayas of Northern India at Dharamsala, the home of the Dalai Lama and the center of the Tibetan culture in exile. The mission of the Thangde Gatsal (the harmonious garden of thangka painters) Art Studio and School is to continue the traditional teaching of thangka painting by training a new generation of painters. It strives to bring greater awareness and understanding of this art form to people around the world. "Thangde Gatsal" means harmonious garden of thangka painters, and is a working studio, which executes commissions for clients. The artists work on commissioned thangkas under the constant supervision of their teacher and are expected to meet the highest standards of work.

The school opened in 2000 and dedicates itself to producing fifteen exceptional pieces of Tibetan art annually. Proceeds from the artwork, along with commissioned paintings, support the school’s mission. Six Tibetan students committed to the initial six-year training program. Three are now salaried and are assisting the teachers in painting commissions.

The school offers short courses and has provided instruction to students from Thailand, Austria, the United States and England. Since 2003, students from the Learning Educational Alternative Program in the U.S. have studied at Thangde Gatsal for one-month modules. Between 2002 and 2005, the University of Denver in Colorado sent 46 students to Dharamsala. In 2006, construction began on the studio and residential facilities to meet the school’s growing needs. The school depends solely on fees from short courses, commissions, donations and sponsorships to continue the preservation and advancment of this endangered art form.

The driving force behind Thangde Gatsal is Lobsang (Lochoe) Choegyal, founder and master painter, who has extensive knowledge and documentation of most historical paintings. Sarika Singh is also a skilled painter, teacher and coordinator of the studio. Together, they provide:

• Lectures/demonstrations in English or Hindi for universities, museums, galleries, etc.
• Thangka paintings to complement a particular theme or spiritual teaching.
• Reproductions of original thangka paintings.

Thangde Gatsal provides a space where students can learn the many techniques required of a thangka painter without distraction. At present, the students are housed in various rented accommodations near the studio. Their food, accommodation and pocket money are provided through sponsor funds so that they can dedicate themselves fully to their studies. Construction has been started on student accommodations, which will allow students to live together in a collaborative and peaceful environment on-site.

The school is open to students from all backgrounds (women are especially encouraged to join), but most students are young Tibetan refugees. The training provided at Thangde Gatsal allows these young Tibetans to contribute to the preservation of their own culture, and gives them a valuable skill in a community where unemployment is high.

Thangde Gatsal needs your support

Thangka painting is a century old Tibetan tradition which is in danger of being lost. Thangde Gatsal Studio aims to preserve this unique art form by training a new generation of painters and by bringing thangka art to a wider audience. To do this, we need your help.

The success and advancement of the studio and its mission has been accomplished through the enthusiasm and support of our worldwide community and donors. This has allowed for the completion of a new gallery, office, and retaining walls and foundation of the new student accommodations and studio. Additional funds are now required to establish it on a permanent footing with proper facilities. The studio and residential facility will cater to a total of two masters and ten students, and the student residences will create a peaceful and collaborative sense of community. Thangde Gatsal will enable thangka masters to practice their art in an environment free from the pressures of the marketplace and to pass on their expertise to a new generation of artists. This training will generate much needed employment opportunities for young Tibetan refugees, and will help preserve a traditional art form that is under threat.

As soon as construction is completed and short courses have begun, Thangde Gatsal will be entirely self-supporting, through a combination of course fees, commissions, donations and sponsorships.

As part of its mission to preserve Tibetan culture, Thangde Gatsal aims to spread knowledge of thangka painting as widely as possible, among both Tibetans and a broader international audience. Shorter thangka painting courses will introduce non-Tibetans to the art, and a library and documentation centre will be available for those wishing to learn more about thangkas.

Learn more about our objectives.