January 7-12, 2020
Tibetan Monks at Florida CraftArt
Eight Tibetan Monks bring universal lessons of peace and impermanence. In Florida CraftArt’s Exhibition Gallery, they will create a Sacred Sand Mandala for healing. Witness the step-by-step creation of a traditional Sand Mandala–an ancient art form of Tibetan Buddhism. Mandalas are drawings in sand of the world in its divine form and represent a map by which the ordinary human mind is transformed into the enlightened mind.
Don’t miss this experience where the monks will chant, perform music and dances, as well as share Tibetan culture and traditions.
The monks’ mission is to share the message of compassion, to create peaceful communities that work together toward World Peace; to provide a window into the ancient and precious Tibetan culture; and to raise funds to educate, feed, house, and provide healthcare for the 2000 Tibetan Buddhist Monks living in exile at Drepung Gomang Monastery in India.
SPONSORS OF THE SACRED ARTS TOUR
Exhibition Sponsor: Regions Bank
Accommodations: Beacon 430, CrossFit 727, Duncan McClellan Gallery, Unitarian Universalist of St. Petersburg
Photography: Shelly Reale Technical Support: Nick Reale
Food: AARP, Bangkok Thai, Central Melt, Cider Press Café, Cops n Kids, Duncan McClellan Gallery, Bob Devin Jones, Tyler and Julie Jones, Lonnie’s, Maple Street Biscuit, Peace4Tarpon, Renovation Tile, Renzo’s, Stacie’s Cottage Café, Tropez, and Liz and Simon.
General support: City of St. Petersburg and State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs
SCHEDULE
Download a Printable Schedule
Chanting at 10:15 a.m. and 4 p.m. Free admission to the gallery. Donations are requested for the monks. Tibetan handcrafted art is for sale.
Tuesday, January 7
10:15 a.m. Opening Ceremony
10:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Creation of Sacred Sand Mandala
Wednesday, January 8
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Creation of Sacred Sand Mandala
5:30-7 p.m. A reception featuring Tibetan Culture, including the Lucky Dance and the Snow Lion Dance.
Advance purchase here (FCA members $20; nonmember $30 Limited space*)
Thursday, January 9
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Creation of Sacred Sand Mandala
Friday, January 10
9 a.m. AARP members-only breakfast with the monks
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Creation of Sacred Sand Mandala
Saturday, January 11
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Creation of Sacred Sand Mandala
10:30 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. Rock Painting Workshop:
The monks will show you how to paint Tibetan symbols on rocks. Each participant can paint their own rock as a keepsake.
Advance purchase here (FCA members $15; nonmember $25*)
5 p.m. Second Saturday ArtWalk—Meet the Monks
6 p.m. Healing minute of meditation around the world broadcast live.
Sunday, January 12
Noon: Finalization of Mandala
1 p.m. Dissolution Ceremony: The mandala is swept up in a ceremony of gratitude and blessings. We invite the community to join the monks in a procession to the bay where they will pour sand from the mandala with a Buddhist blessing. After the ceremony, the mandala sand will be given out at Florida CraftArt.
Free to the public with reserved seating available online (FCA members $20; nonmember $30)
