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Eastern Art Gallery to present 'Echoes of the Circle: The Eastern Community Mandala'

by Tim Stevens

Willimantic, CT (10/28/2026) — The Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University will present "Echoes of the Circle: The Eastern Community Mandala," from Nov. 2 - Dec. 4. The exhibition explores connections between art, everyday rituals, and community. A public reception will be held on Nov. 5 from 4-6 p.m.

Curated by Assistant Professor Soojin Kim, the exhibition brings together works by current Eastern students, faculty, and staff, including photography, painting, sculpture, sound, and film installations.

In addition to the work of 18 artists, the exhibition features two collaborative class projects from Kim's course "Infographic Activism and Art 357: Asian Narratives." The art examines the circle as a visual form and a metaphor for connection, repetition, mindfulness, memory, and care.

"While diverse in style and discipline, each of the works in 'Echoes of the Circle' reflects upon the meaningful practices that bring rhythm, purpose, and connection to everyday life - from the ancient to the modern," said Kim. "For me, the circle is not a boundary, but a space for connection. Through repetition, ritual, and careful observation, familiar objects can reveal meanings we might otherwise overlook."

"Echoes of the Circle" invites visitors to consider how art can foster understanding and connection across a community. Kim's artistic philosophy draws on a mix of Korean Seon Buddhism, particularly its emphasis on philosopher John Dewey's belief that art emerges from ordinary human experience.

Bringing together students, faculty, and staff, the exhibition creates space for different voices to coexist.

"As an art gallery at a public university, we are deeply committed to our role as a community resource - not just for our campus but for our neighbors as well," said Assistant Professor Sarah Churchill, gallery director. "With this exhibition, we get to both celebrate and share the depth and breadth of the talent here at Eastern with our [local] community."

Visit the Gallery

  • Public reception: Thursday, Nov. 5, from 4 - 6 p.m.
  • Gallery hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. The gallery will be closed Nov. 25 - 27 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
  • For more information, visit the gallery website, www.easternct.edu/artgallery, or contact (860) 4654659.

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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 15 public liberal arts universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report in its 2026-27 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 15 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.

Media Attachments

"Winter Tondo" by Karen Bartone

"Autumn's Mandala" by Lora Lee

Exhibition flyer

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