Malhotra said the theme for the museum is that “God is one but his images are many.”
The old mansion was built at 318 South River St. for the Thirkield family, within walking distance of their department store which operated on Main Street in Franklin until 1979.
The building is now zoned as an office building, and Malhotra bought it in 2007 for $349,000. He decided earlier this year to turn it into a mecca for spirituality.
"I think this is sort of mission for Ramesh," said David Mueller, one of the artists Malhotra has patronized in pursuit of his vision. "His own personal spirituality makes him want to support the arts and artists. Coincidentally he gets to collect images of something that is very personal to him."
“He asked me, “If I was Santa, what would you want?” Mueller said. “He matched my salary and benefits for two years.”
Mueller used to work as a commercial greeting card artist, then went on to paint portraits for then-Ohio Gov. George Voinovich and created an ornament for the White House Christmas tree in 2009. For Malhotra, Mueller has created spiritual paintings, including one of a young Buddhist monk.
“The idea is to take a look at each religion and paint something about the religion,” said Malhotra, 70.
He estimates he has commissioned about 50 such works.
Last week, Malhotra said he was shopping for new pieces in Paris and Russia and had purchased art from France and Israel, among other places.
"He's constantly in the process of purchasing things and sending things in," said Chuck Marshall, the current artist in residence.
Marshall’s painting of Mother Theresa, commissioned by Malhotra, hangs by the back door, one of more than 20 paintings by Marshall already on display there. Other painting subjects range from Jesus Christ to the White Buffalo, an icon of American Indian religions, to an upside down tree, which reminded Malhotra of a religious metaphor.
Malhotra presented his idea last Tuesday to Franklin City Council. Mayor Dennis Centers said it would have to be rezoned “but otherwise I think we’re good to go.”
Malhotra, a Hindu and Indian immigrant, is an entrepreneur involved in coal, real estate and manufacturing businesses. He had been displaying some of his collection in a building in downtown Mason and his offices in a new business park in the city.
Now he said he is bent on energizing spirituality and an art scene in Franklin. He said he owns six buildings in the city, including a former bank where art lessons were offered. The building is near a mural Malhotra helped fund and across the street from the multi-use trail along the river.
“Let’s make Franklin city the nucleus of spiritual art,” said Malhotra. “I want this to be an icon for the city and a destination.”
To schedule a museum visit, call 937-790-1017.
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