May 31-June 4th: Haystack Invites Public to View Tibetan Scholar Creating Sand Painting

 

An example of Tibetan monks creating sacred sand mandala painting.

 

Monday-Friday, from 9:00-11:30 a.m. and 1:00-3:30 p.m.

DEER ISLE — From May 31 to June 6, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts will host a Community-Based Artist Residency with the Venerable Losang Samten, Tibetan scholar and a former Buddhist monk, who was invited to create one of his singular ‘wheel of life’ sand mandalas in the gallery at Haystack’s Center for Community Programs. Losang Samten is the spiritual director of Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia; Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist Center of Middletown, Connecticut; and Chenrezig Himalayan Cultural Center of El Paso, Texas. He travels extensively, sharing his knowledge of Buddhist philosophy and meditation, and his skill in the Tibetan ritual arts, while incorporating the qualities of practicing loving kindness, patience, and understanding. This residency complements last fall’s residency with environmental artist Bryant Holsenbeck, who worked with high school students and community members to create a mandala 10 feet in diameter using bottle caps and lids. 

Community members, students from the Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary and High Schools, Haystack faculty and students, and visitors will be able to observe and talk with Losang Samten as he works, Monday-Friday, from 9:00-11:30 a.m. and 1:00-3:30 p.m. On Friday, June 4, Losang Samten will give a public presentation in Gateway Auditorium, which is located at the entrance to Haystack’s campus, at 8:00 p.m. In addition, a ritual dismantling ceremony of the sand mandala will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 6 at Haystack’s Center for Community Programs. All of these events are free and open to the public. 

Losang Samten’s residency is supported by grants from the Hancock County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation, the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, the Quimby Family Foundation, and from Haystack’s Program Endowment.