“The word ‘mandala’ is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit. Loosely translated to mean ‘circle,’ a mandala is far more than a simple shape. It represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life itself--a cosmic diagram that reminds us of our relation to the infinite, the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds.”
Each December, the Open Space Visitor Center hosts the creation of a Mandala made of different kinds of grains and seeds. Volunteers contribute to the design and build the Mandala. The Mandala remains in place for one week. Materials for the Mandala consist of seeds and grains which can be eaten by birds, composted or can quickly biodegrade.
“Describing both material and non-material realities, the mandala appears in all aspects of life: the celestial circles we call earth, sun, and moon, as well as conceptual circles of friends, family, and community. ”
A mandala is...
An integrated structure
organized around a
unifying center
Longchenpa
Reference from: mandalaproject.org
The Solstice Mandala project was co-designed by Pat Malcom and Joshua Willis.
The 2012 Mandala
The 2012 Mandala was created on December 22.
Marking out the design Admiring the Mandala Mandala details
Workers Full Mandala Pouring Red Millett
Snake Design Group Shot Filling in the details
Photos courtesy of Christopher T. Barber
Mandala video footage by Elke Duerr.
Materials: Corn, Red Millet, Black Oil Sunflower Seeds, White Millet
- Joshua Willis
- Spencer Veltcamp
- Chris Barber
- Elke Duerr
- Carol Salisbury
- Michael Mock
- Pat Malcolm
- Fred Malcolm
- Jude Dominique
- Jennifer Dominique
- Xavier Dominique
- Gavin Dominique
- Abigail Bennette
- Martha Phil Mann
- Irene K. Seff
- Tim Carrell
- Heather Malcolm
- Rudy Carrell
- Ginger Carrell
- Mary Saremba
- Cathy Levenstein
- Olivia McDade
- Janet Birchfield
- Jonas Dumanie
- Therese Saunders
- Bethany Key
- James Key
- Caitlin Anderson
- Bridget Simpson
- Emiliano Swanson
- Kent Swanson
- El Duende
- Danny Ruppert
- Lisa Ruppert
- Susan E. Page
- Cindy Ruppert
- Kiana Espinosa
- Rosemary Espinosa
- Carolyn Stapleton
- Leau Phillips
- Linda Ervin
- Holly Bahn
The 2011 Mandala
Mandala video footage by Elke Duerr.
Photos courtesy of Christopher T. Barber
Image co-designed by Pat Malcom and Joshua Willis.
Open Space Mandala 2011 Participants:
- Tim Ruby
- Heather Ruby
- Ginger Carrell
- Elsa Bumstead
- Barbara Dodge
- Bethany Key
- James Key
- Bobbie Stasey
- Susan Thompson
- Diana Shea
- Chris Barber
- Gladys Young
- Carol Salisbury
- Caitlin Anderson
- David Simpson
- Tiska Blankenship
- Bridget Simpson
- John Holland
- Linda Holland
- Melanie Weidner
- Holly Bahn
- Therese Saunders
- Leslie Alperin
- Olivia Jarmillio
- Christine Herman
- Robert Knapp
- Bonny Hennigan
- Terry Hennigan
- Cathrine Troy
- Remsa Troy
- Kensey Troy
- Genai Troy
- Ann Kopel
- Lee Lancaster
- Jude Dominique
- Jenny Dominique
- Gavin Dominique
- Xavier Dominique
- Becky Bower
The 2010 Winter Solstice Mandala
The mandala which appears before you is composed of grains. These grains are a common supplement in the fall and winter diet of the Sandhill Crane and many other migratory birds. We have created this mandala as an offering to these migratory species, and as a unifying structure for the communities of people who choose to preserve the habitats and species of the Middle Rio Grande.
Photos courtesy of Christopher T. Barber
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Joshua Willis, drawing a circle in the dirt |
Participants beginning to get creative |
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| The design coming together | Pouring White Millet |
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The completed composition |
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Participants:
- Pat Malcolm
- Fed Malcolm
- Jenny Dominique
- Wanda E. Cortez
- Jerome Shea
- Diana Shea
- Celia Dale
- Sophia Bowers
- Becca Kunkle
- Elsa Bumstead
- Lib Lussiex
- Isaiah Vajda
- Archie Vajda
- Allison Vajda
- Rick Raab-Faber
- Sean Lessiek
- Linda Holland
- Becky Holtzman
- Christie Cole
- Bridget and Caitlin
- Stacy Bowers
- Isaak Bowers
- David Bowers
- Patricia Cohen
- Donna Detweiler
- Irene Seff
- Bonnie Baker
- Ernesto Maestas
- Michaela Maestas
