Tuesday, November 11 - Friday, November 14, 11am-5pm

Tibetan Buddhist Monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery return to the Crow Museum on the campus of UT Dallas for a week-long residency to construct a magnificent Tantric Buddhist mandala sand painting. Using traditional metal funnels called chak-pur, millions of grains of crushed marble are painstakingly laid into place in this ancient spiritual art form to generate energies for global healing.

Throughout the week, visitors are invited to stop by and observe this sacred practice, witness the mandala’s intricate evolution, and reflect on the themes of compassion, impermanence, and the interconnectedness of all life.

As the monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery create a traditional mandala nearby, visitors of all ages are invited to take part in a hands-on Community Sand Painting experience. This collaborative experience offers a unique opportunity to explore the meditative and creative practice of sand painting while expressing ideas that resonate with our own community. Whether you're a student, a family, or simply curious, this is a chance to connect and reflect on the themes of the mandala—impermanence, mindfulness, and shared purpose.

Community Sand Painting Contest
UT Dallas students are invited to submit an original design for this year’s Community Sand Painting, which will be brought to life by visitors throughout the week-long Mystical Arts of Tibet residency. The design should reflect the spirit and creativity of the UT Dallas Comet community while also drawing inspiration from traditional Tibetan mandala design principles, such as balance, symmetry, and symbolic representation of harmony and interconnectedness.

The contest winner will be contacted the week of November 3 and will be expected to sketch their design onto the 3x3’ sand painting base on Monday, November 10 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The winner will receive a Crow Museum goodie bag filled with museum merchandise and surprises.

DEADLINE: 5:00 p.m., Monday, October 27, 2025

Submit a design