ROLLINSVILLE — Visitors wandered through the colorful gallery, listening to the healing tones of Himalayan singing bowls. They lingered over intricate works of art on Friday evening as the second annual Lotus and Lion exhibition opened at Shoshoni Yoga Retreat.

The opening reception, held June 5, 2026, featured a collection of contemporary and traditional works inspired by Buddhist and Hindu spiritual traditions. It included artists from Colorado and around the world, including contributors from Nepal, Australia, Canada, California, New Mexico, and Hawaii.

A visitor studies artwork that blends traditional Buddhist iconography with contemporary artistic influences.

Photo by Mindy Leary

Curator Faith Stone created Lotus and Lion to provide a dedicated space for sacred art traditions that are often overlooked in mainstream galleries. The exhibit also seeks to preserve endangered artistic practices, including traditional Tibetan thangka painting and woodblock printing.

"This is one of her passion projects," said community member Alison Kimble. "She wanted a space for spiritual art to be seen. There's so much talent in this community, and a lot of art shows don't allow spiritual art."

The exhibition occupies a light-filled gallery space tucked into the forested grounds of Shoshoni Yoga Retreat, where visitors explored pieces ranging from tradition-inspired paintings and woodblock prints to sculpture, photography, encaustic pieces, and mixed-media creations.

Among the artists attending was Jan Michaels of Pacifica, California, whose intricate mixed-media work combines painting with vintage jewelry components, brass stampings, pressed glass figures, and hand-wired elements.

When asked what category her art falls into, Michaels said, "I feel like I'm developing this as my own individual expression. Spirituality is the thing that I've felt over maybe 50 years of meditating, and that comes into the tiny little details.”

Her piece incorporates images of White Tara, offering bowls, Dharma wheels, and other Buddhist symbols, blending decades of jewelry-making experience with fine art techniques.

California-based artist Jan Michaels stands beside her mixed-media work featuring White Tara, jewelry components, and painted elements.

Photo by Mindy Leary

"There are little Buddhas that are really old, maybe close to 100 years old," she remarked. The painting takes months to complete.

The exhibit also includes contemporary prayer wheels created by Estes Park artist Joe Arnold. Crafted from copper and wood, the pieces invite viewers to place prayers or intentions inside before spinning them.

Estes Park artist Joe Arnold demonstrates one of his handcrafted contemporary prayer wheels inspired by traditional Tibetan designs.

Photo by Mindy Leary

"I call them setting intentions," Arnold said. "You can spin it to send it out in the world like a real prayer wheel.”

Throughout the evening, guests encountered an extraordinary range of artistic approaches. Traditional woodblock prints hung beside digital photography infused onto metal. Mixed-media works combined copper, stone, wood shavings, and encaustic wax. 

Contemporary interpretations of Green Tara and Medicine Buddha incorporated elements of modern life, creating bridges between ancient traditions and present-day culture.

Stone said one of the goals of Lotus and Lion is to bring internationally recognized artists together with emerging voices while expanding public understanding of sacred art.

That global reach is evident throughout the show. Nationally recognized artists share wall space with local Colorado creators. Sculptures from Nepal sit alongside works from Boulder, Longmont, Santa Fe, Estes Park, and the Bay Area.

Adding to the atmosphere, independent sound practitioner Hanna Kissler offered demonstrations using Himalayan singing bowls, chimes, bells, and other traditional instruments. The sounds drifted through the gallery as visitors moved from piece to piece.

Sound practitioner Hanna Kissler demonstrates Himalayan singing bowls and other instruments during the opening reception.

Photo by Mindy Leary

The exhibition's setting adds a layer to the experience. Tucked among ponds, prayer flags, towering pines, and meditation spaces, Shoshoni Yoga Retreat provides the perfect backdrop for artwork centered on contemplation, compassion, and inner connection.

As guests paused before detailed mandalas, intricate woodblock prints, and luminous depictions of Buddhist figures, the exhibit offered something increasingly rare: a chance to engage with art that asks viewers not just to look, but to reflect.

Lotus and Lion will remain on display through September 6 at Shoshoni Yoga Retreat, 1400 Shoshoni Camp Road in Rollinsville. The exhibit is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.