Supporters of Staten Island's Tibetan Museum feted at Twilight gala

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Board of Trustees of the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art instituted a tradition last night by honoring several longtime supporters during the annual Tibetan Twilight, held in the garden of the Lighthouse Hill museum. The fete included light fare, wine and champagne, and music. But key to the evening was recognition of the museum’s longtime donors, board members, supporters and volunteers who have helped make the institution a success. The first-ever class of honorees included Ruth Sprute, trustee. Honored posthumously were trustees Mary Regan and Margaret Robinson, volunteer Sigrid Sidrow, and Joseph Primiano. The event was co-chaired by Helaine Dandrea and Barbara Tallon-Reilly. The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art was founded in 1945 by its female namesake (1887-1948), an important collector and respected expert on Tibetan art who contributed greatly to the growing interest in Asian art, philosophy and spirituality in the United States. The museum represents Ms. Marchais’ vision to provide a peaceful retreat where the public can study the art and culture of Tibet. Honorees were recognized on a plaque in the museum. Mary Regan joined the museum’s board of trustees in 1983 and served as both vice president and president. She was instrumental in establishing the museum’s educational programs, and she coordinated many luncheons and fundraisers to support the museum. Mrs. Regan was the president of the museum’s board during the Dalai Lama’s historic visit in 1991. Mrs. Regan is a 1999 Advance Woman of Achievement. Margaret Robinson joined the board of trustees in 1990 and served for many years as the museum’s secretary and treasurer. A lifelong resident of Richmond and Lighthouse Hill, Mrs. Robinson was very concerned for the cultural organizations in her neighborhood and did all she could to promote them. She is a 1972 Advance Woman of Achievement. Sigrid Sidrow gave of her time and talent as a museum volunteer from the 1950s through the 1970s, including helping to keep the museum open on weekends. Ms. Sigrid facilitated the visits of the Mongolian lamas to the museum in the 1950s Joseph Primiano was the stonemason who helped make the vision of Jacques Marchais a reality. Primiano was born in 1896 in Vinchiaturo, Italy, and came to the U.S. when he was 16. The Tibetan Museum was one of Primiano’s early masterworks. Ms. Marchais and Primiano worked closely and diligently selecting stones from the neighborhood that eventually were used to construct the museum. Primiano’s work is prominent on the Island, including the gatehouse at the Flagg Estate on Todt Hill, the grotto at Richmond University Medical Center, several homes on Slosson Avenue, and a number of buildings on the campuses of Notre Dame Academy and St. John’s University and renovation to the stone and brickwork at Historic Richmond Town. Ruth Sprute began her affiliation with the museum in the 1950s as a volunteer in the garden. After college, she had a long career as a personnel manager for Buck Consultants and in 1973 she was appointed executive director of the museum. She would work during the week in the city and spend her weekends on the Island at the museum. She also served on the museum’s board for many years, including a stint as secretary. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Board of Trustees of the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art instituted a tradition last night by honoring several longtime supporters during the annual Tibetan Twilight, held in the garden of the Lighthouse Hill museum. The fete included light fare, wine and champagne, and music. But key to the evening was recognition of the museum’s longtime donors, board members, supporters and volunteers who have helped make the institution a success. The first-ever class of honorees included Ruth Sprute, trustee. Honored posthumously were trustees Mary Regan and Margaret Robinson, volunteer Sigrid Sidrow, and Joseph Primiano. The event was co-chaired by Helaine Dandrea and Barbara Tallon-Reilly. The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art was founded in 1945 by its female namesake (1887-1948), an important collector and respected expert on Tibetan art who contributed greatly to the growing interest in Asian art, philosophy and spirituality in the United States. The museum represents Ms. Marchais’ vision to provide a peaceful retreat where the public can study the art and culture of Tibet. Honorees were recognized on a plaque in the museum. Mary Regan joined the museum’s board of trustees in 1983 and served as both vice president and president. She was instrumental in establishing the museum’s educational programs, and she coordinated many luncheons and fundraisers to support the museum. Mrs. Regan was the president of the museum’s board during the Dalai Lama’s historic visit in 1991. Mrs. Regan is a 1999 Advance Woman of Achievement. Margaret Robinson joined the board of trustees in 1990 and served for many years as the museum’s secretary and treasurer. A lifelong resident of Richmond and Lighthouse Hill, Mrs. Robinson was very concerned for the cultural organizations in her neighborhood and did all she could to promote them. She is a 1972 Advance Woman of Achievement. Sigrid Sidrow gave of her time and talent as a museum volunteer from the 1950s through the 1970s, including helping to keep the museum open on weekends. Ms. Sigrid facilitated the visits of the Mongolian lamas to the museum in the 1950s Joseph Primiano was the stonemason who helped make the vision of Jacques Marchais a reality. Primiano was born in 1896 in Vinchiaturo, Italy, and came to the U.S. when he was 16. The Tibetan Museum was one of Primiano’s early masterworks. Ms. Marchais and Primiano worked closely and diligently selecting stones from the neighborhood that eventually were used to construct the museum. Primiano’s work is prominent on the Island, including the gatehouse at the Flagg Estate on Todt Hill, the grotto at Richmond University Medical Center, several homes on Slosson Avenue, and a number of buildings on the campuses of Notre Dame Academy and St. John’s University and renovation to the stone and brickwork at Historic Richmond Town. Ruth Sprute began her affiliation with the museum in the 1950s as a volunteer in the garden. After college, she had a long career as a personnel manager for Buck Consultants and in 1973 she was appointed executive director of the museum. She would work during the week in the city and spend her weekends on the Island at the museum. She also served on the museum’s board for many years, including a stint as secretary. Source credit: SILIVE.com

The Dalai Lama said in an interview published Monday that it is best for him to remain neutral about the wave of immolations by Tibetans in China protesting Beijing's repressive policies and calling for his return from exile.

In this July 4, 2012 file photo, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama listens to a speaker at the inauguration of the Fortis Hospital at Kangra, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from Dharmsala.

The Dalai Lama described the immolations as a "very, very delicate political issue," and expressed his reluctance to comment on the deaths of Tibetan protesters in China.

The Tibetan spiritual leader spoke of the dilemma he faces in speaking about the immolations in an interview published in The Hindu newspaper.

"If I say something negative, then the family members of those people feel very sad. They sacrificed their life," he said.

"The reality is that if I say something positive, then the Chinese immediately blame me," he said in an interview given on his 77th birthday last week.

In contrast, the self-declared Tibetan government-in-exile, based in the northern Indian town of Dharmsala, has spoken out more firmly against the immolations. In March, they reminded Tibetans "to refrain from drastic actions." The Dalai Lama reliquished his role as head of the government-in-exile last year.

China has blamed the Dalai Lama for the self-immolations, which have touched Tibetans emotionally and created an image problem for Beijing.

Around three dozen Buddhist monks, nuns and Tibetan lay people have set themselves on fire over the past year in ethnic Tibetan areas of China. The Tibetans see the immolations as an act of sacrifice to highlight China's repressive policies on religion and culture.

The Tibetan leader urged China to conduct "thorough research" on what was causing people to set themselves on fire. He called on China to "not pretend that nothing is wrong."

The Dalai Lama said he advised young Tibetans, who were calling for independence and a more radical approach, that his "Middle Way" of seeking autonomy within the framework of the Chinese Constitution was the "only realistic way" to address the Tibetan issue.

Source Credit: NYDalilynews