Welcoming Lama Tashi Norbu as Artist-in-Residence This July

This July, we are delighted to welcome internationally acclaimed Tibetan artist Lama Tashi Norbu to Northern Edge Algonquin for a special two-week Artist-in-Residence.

Rather than arriving with a fixed schedule of workshops or classes, Tashi will be joining us in the spirit of creative retreat — spending time painting, reflecting, creating, and drawing inspiration from the forests, lakes, and quiet rhythms of Northern Edge.

For guests attending retreats during his residency, this creates a rare opportunity to experience the work of a remarkable artist in an intimate and natural setting.

An Artist Bridging Ancient Tradition and Contemporary Expression

Lama Tashi Norbu is a Tibetan monk, contemporary artist, musician, museum founder, and cultural ambassador whose work has been exhibited and performed around the world.

Educated in the schools of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and trained as a traditional Tibetan Thangka painter before continuing his studies in Europe, Tashi’s work brings together Tibetan philosophy with contemporary artistic expression.

He is the founder of the Museum of Contemporary Tibetan Art (MoCTA) in the Netherlands—the world’s only registered Tibetan contemporary art museum—as well as the Museum of Tibetan Art and Culture in California. His artwork, performances, and collaborations have appeared at venues including Carnegie Hall, Times Square, Art Basel, Cannes, and museums and festivals across Europe, Asia, and North America.

Yet despite these international accomplishments, Tashi remains deeply committed to sharing art as a vehicle for connection, reflection, and cultural understanding.

A Different Kind of Residency

This residency is intentionally open-ended.

Our hope is simply to create the conditions where creativity, conversation, and meaningful encounters can naturally unfold.

Guests may find Tashi quietly painting in Sunshine Cabin, creating new work inspired by the landscape, or spending time in reflection between creative sessions.

When the timing feels right, guests may also have opportunities to enjoy experiences such as:

• Informal conversations about creativity and artistic practice
• Open studio visits
• Demonstrations of Tibetan painting techniques
• Discussions about Tibetan culture and symbolism
• Meditation or mantra sessions
• Question-and-answer conversations exploring Buddhist philosophy and daily life

Some retreats may include a scheduled presentation or demonstration, while others may simply offer spontaneous opportunities to connect over a cup of tea or while admiring a work in progress.

Participation in any activities will always be entirely optional.

Space to Create

An important purpose of this residency is to provide Tashi with uninterrupted time for artistic creation.

Like many artists, creativity doesn’t always follow a schedule. There will be times when Tashi is immersed in his work and enjoying the solitude that Northern Edge offers. At other moments, he may welcome conversation and invite guests into his creative process.

We see this balance as one of the unique gifts of an artist residency: witnessing not only finished artwork, but also the quiet moments from which it emerges.

Bringing Home a Piece of the Experience

Throughout the residency, Tashi may make a selection of original artwork, prints, books, or other creative works available for guests who wish to take home a meaningful reminder of their time together.

An Auspicious Beginning

When we first began discussing this residency, one word kept resurfacing: auspicious.

There was an immediate sense that Northern Edge and Tashi shared something fundamental—a belief that creativity, nature, reflection, and genuine human connection can quietly transform us.

This residency is an experiment in the best sense of the word. We don’t know exactly what moments will emerge over these two weeks, and that’s part of the beauty.

If you’ll be joining us at Northern Edge this July, you may find yourself sharing a conversation with an internationally recognized artist, watching a painting come to life, learning about Tibetan symbolism, or simply enjoying the quiet presence of someone who has spent a lifetime exploring the intersection of art and wisdom.

Sometimes the most memorable retreat experiences are the ones no one could have planned.