Throughout the month of April 2025, an exhibition of the twelve portraits was home to events, meditations, reflections, conversations, music, parties and dance. The intention that had long before formed in Jeffrey was brought to life: “Set the paintings in a circle. Offer free meditation sessions, and invite people to lead healing experiences for the communities they serve and the community at large.”

The exhibit was conceived and set up as a mandala, which in Sanskrit means “circle,” and “container of essence.” In Tibetan Buddhist traditions the mandala is considered a sacred collection point for universal forces. Mandalas often serve as meditative and liminal (threshold or transitional) environments, designed to allow people to connect with emotions and express them.

The paintings were set equidistant from one another along the perimeter of the circle, as reference points to orient people in space and time. Each portrait contains the energy of the person represented in the painting, the painter, the paint and canvas, the easels that hold them, and all the energies and life forces that helped create each of them. As people look, listen, read, spend time with each portrait, they come into mutual relationship with all of these things.