Mustang is a semisecret, semi-independent and semi-feudal region of Nepal, nestled on the Himalayan border with Tibet. It has been closed to the outside world until very recently, and, even today, special permission is needed to enter. One of the only surviving Tibetan monarchies, and almost totally isolated for decades, it is perhaps the most intact Tibetan culture in the world.

Along the route, Gurewitz documented the unique and striking villages and monasteries, as well as the stark natural beauty, of this remote, high mountain, desert region. His images give a glimpse of the lives of the monks, nobles, lamas, farmers, herdsmen and townspeople of Mustang, along with their king. Gurewitz was also able to document the colorful masked dances and religious ceremonies of the region including the annual 3-day spring festival of Tiji, the most important celebration of the year, that draws most of the 6,000 inhabitants of the kingdom as well as pilgrims from across the border in Tibet, many of them traditional Tibetan nomads.

The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art was pleased to host three Buddhist monks from Bhutan in celebration of Losar, the Buddhist New Year, from Wednesday, February 9th - Sunday, February 13th. The week's events included the creation of a sand mandala painting. The completed sand mandala will remain on display for an extended viewing period.