The International Shambhala Arts Day Festival is an international gathering of contemplative arts teachers and artists to celebrate the arts as an enlightened society vision. It includes teachings, talks, demonstrations, installations, performing arts and a creative process as a community development.
This event is a way to provide a space to empower the sacred in every day life and a meaningful way in the creative process to include all arts forms. The schedule of activities embodies the Dharma – Shambhala Art teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche as well as new ways to create art inspired by these principles, and to bring it forth in the contemporary world.
Slogan : Art that wakes us up
Announcement to all :
FYI, a new edition of the Vidyadhara’s classic text on dharma art is coming out soon. It is an expanded edition including the essay from The Art of Calligraphy and a new and expanded introductory essay. The title is now True Perception: the Path of Dharma Art. Please let people know that they can order it from Shambhala Media or from Shambhala Pubs. Judy Lief
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Report – 4th Annual International Shambhala Arts Day Festival
Representatives and Centers – 2008:
Albany, NY
We have a date and link in Albany – March 30
http://www.albany.shambhala.org/program_details.php?id=11757&cid=209
Ellen Rook
Atlanta, USA
Greetings from Atlanta. The Atlanta Shambhala Arts Festival is less than three weeks away! We have an exciting lineup of fine arts, music and performance artists for this year’s festival. We are also planning two ‘creative labs’, bringing together contemplative practice with explorations in painting and voice. I am attaching a .pdf of our flyer. We would be thrilled if you could post this on a central shambhala news site. Thanks so much!
In Shambhala – Marisabel Marratt
Baltimore, USA
Baltimore Shambhala Arts Day Festival
April 5th, 2008
In Baltimore our Bodhi School program has grown significantly this past year. Therefore, this year’s Shambhala Arts Day Festival we decided to gear our activites to include families. We called the event “Family Arts Day”. The day consisted of family-appropriate sessions in drama, music, ikebana, yoga, and calligraphy, then culminated with a performance of a play. Sangha members Judy Bond (senior Shambhala Art student) and June Heintz (a former elementary school art teacher) collaborated in creating costumes, props, and working with sangha children on a performance of Tolstoy’s “Three Questions”. The script was written by Judy Bond, and in preparation for the day some of the children playing lead characters rehearsed their lines with their parents at home. On the day of the festival, all children were involved with either acting in the play or by creating simple costumes and props. Thirty-nine children and adults turned out to participate in Family Arts Day. At mid-day we celebrated with a potluck lunch. It was a fun day for both children and adults to connect with the community and with the Shambhala Art teachings. The day was a huge success thanks to the preparation of all those leading arts activities: Judy Bond, June Heintz, Ginny Schmidt, Betsy Wexler, Katie Calkins, and Karis & Buzz Merrick. Photographs are attached. Anyone interested in a copy of the script may contact Judy Bond arthurbond@aol.com
Katie Calkins Nalanda Gate Director Baltimore, MD
Bellingham, USA
Hello Violaine,
Below are the art festival events the Bellingham Shambhala Center are presenting. With fingers crossed and windhorse raised we venture into our first festival event!
Coordinator, Sandra Harper
Friday, May 23
Exhibit of Contemplative Art Forms
May 23-May 24
Bellingham Shambhala Meditation Center, 1101 N State St, Bellingham
Free
Works by Charles Coghlan, Sandra Harper, Jo Hartzell, Julie McPheters,
Doug Milam, Pat Morse, Darrin Randall
Opening Reception 7:00 pm Friday.
Viewing and workshops Saturday 9:00am-5:30pm
Saturday, May 24 Shambhala Contemplative Arts Festival Workshops
The Joy of Handbuilding with Coils a clay workshop with Pat Morse
May 24 Lake Hill Clay Art, 4380 Lake Hill Lane, Bellingham
$20
Using mankind’s most ancient technique for making pots. open your hands and heart to clay. Enjoy this quiet, meditative technique, and experience the beauty of clay. 9am-12pm Limit: 6 people FULL
First Thought/Best Thought Poetry Workshop with Joe Mackie and Jeanne Yeasting May 24
Bellingham Shambhala Meditation Center, 1101 N State St
$15
Writing practices designed to liberate what is unique in everyday experience, and express it — on the spot — in poetry. No writing experience necessary.
11am-12:30pm
Movement and Awareness: Mischief with a Wakeful Smile with Rick Merrill, dancer and choreographer May 24
Bellingham Shambhala Meditation Center, 1101 N State St.
$15
This workshop offers an experience in movement/dance for everyone regardless of previous experience. The class will foster a non-judgmental, supportive atmosphere in which we can explore our physicality. We will loosen up the assumptions that we hold about ourselves and our world. Our intent is to become free and genuine, to bring together mind, body, intuition and intellect, and to awaken our innate capacity for awareness, direct experience and playful, creative expression.
1:30pm-3:00pm
The Art of Ikebana Flower Arranging with Charles Coughin May 24
Bellingham Shambhala Meditation Center, 1101 N State St
$20
Ancient monastic tradition—Medieval Samurai discipline—modern/abstract art form. A journey through the history and philosophy of the art of Ikebana with demonstration of various styles and techniques—both classical and modern.
3:00pm-4:30pm
Mudra Space Awareness: Finding Relaxation within Tension with Greg Heffron May 24
Bellingham Shambhala Meditation Center, 1101 N State St
$15
This outrageous and strenuous mind/body practice draws inspiration from Tibetan monastic dance training and Vajrayana Buddhist yogic techniques. It cuts through vacillation and hesitation, cultivating wakefulness, gentleness and bravery.
4:30pm-5:30pm
Contemplative Art Festival Soiree May 24
Bellingham Shambhala Meditation Center, 1101 N State St
FREE
Dance by Rick Merrill Poetry with Jeanne Yeasting, Joe Mackie Ikebana with Charles Coghlan Reading by Seth Zimmerman Sharing by Saturday’s workshop participants 8:00pm-10:00pm
For Information
Contact: 360-483-4526 info@bellinghamshambhala.org
Reservations appreciated but not required. Show up and Enjoy
Greetings from Bellingham, WA.
Our first Contemplative Art Festival was a lot of exertion and a great deal of appreciation. Attendance was low. There was conflict with Memorial Day weekend, Ski to Sea weekend and Studio Tours on Lumni Island. For us who participated and attended however there were new stretched boundaries and new aspirations to share our sangha’s creative wealth in future workshops and soirees.
The culminating Saturday night sharing and performances were genuine in the best sense of the word. Jeanne Yeasting and Joe Mackie read their own work and some poems from their workshop participants. Seth Zimmerman read from his translation of Dante’s Inferno, with reference kleshas and samsara. Charles Coghlan presented a view of Ikebana in dramatic poetic form while pointing out representations of work from his workshop. We have yet to see the work that emerged from Pat Morse’s clay workshop (still in the kiln) but those who attended were rejoicing in the experience. Rick Merrill’s dance performance was captivating. With total audience participation, Rick responded to the sounds we offered up. A great deal of good cheer was shared creating a creative feast.
A few pictures are attached.
Sandra Harper, Coordinator of Contemplative Art Festival, Nalanda Arts Representative
Boulder, Colorado
Contemplative Arts Festival
A Network of events at various venues (near a week): BSMC, Naropa University & Atlas CU Production & network coordinator : Violaine Morinville in collaboration with Community – Contemplative Arts Festival this weekend. There is a mix of events, panels, workshops, art and performance.
Here is the schedule of events.
Friday (Boulder Shambhala Meditation Center) – March 14th Boulder Shambhala Meditation Center Community Room 1345 Spruce Street
6-9:30pm – Art Opening/ Exhibition
6pm Doors Open – Visual Art, DVD showings and Ikebana exhibition
6:30pm Introduce the Weekend (Presentation of teachers, artists and events)
7pm – Opening – Presentation by Deborah Bowman on “Contemplative Art Practice” with slide show from a sacred trip to Asia
8pm – Ernie Porps and the book « Creative Being »
Spontaneous Offerings / reception
9pm – Live Music with the Vicking Dance Squad
Saturday (PAC, Naropa) – March 15th
Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Naropa University
Arapahoe Main Campus
2130 Arapahoe
Afternoon
2-2:30pm – Red Square workshop – Barbara Dilley
2:45-3:15pm – Sumi Brush spontaneous work – Dharma Art painting – Ernie Porps
3:15-3:45pm – Vocal Improvisation Circle in contemplative awareness – Tom Weiser
3:45-4:15pm – Maitri Presentation – Jane Carpenter Cohn and assistants
4:30-5:30pm Panel Discussion
“Experience and Practices of Contemplative Arts”
with Lee Worley (Mudra Theater), Andrew Schelling (Poetry), Sky Brooks (Painting)
Evening Performance at PAC 7- 9 :30pm
Tom Weiser Vocals & Miguel Sawaya Bass
Poetry and sacred chants by Kwesi Kwarteng
Andrew Schelling Poetry & Mark Miller Music
Music by James Thorpe
Contemplative movement interlude, Violaine & group
Closing by Lee Worley
Sunday (Atlas CU) – March 16th
University of Colorado
Atlas Center for Arts, Media and Performance
Black Box Theater
1125 18th Street
2-5:30pm Contemplative Arts and Multimedia
Special Interactive Workshop on Media and Mindfulness with special guests
Monday (Nalanda Campus, Naropa) – March 17th
Naropa University
Nalanda Campus Room 9185
63rd Arapahoe
7:30-9:30pm Desolate Delight ensemble – Barbara Dilley
Closure of the Festival
*** This weekend event is part of the International Shambhala Arts Day Festival ***
For More Info, Contact Production – Violaine Morinville at : contemplativeartsfestival@gmail.com, Phone : 514-715-3521
With the collaboration of David Ortolano and many others : Violaine assistant’s : Jill Cohen, Corinne Nakamura At the Door : Joy Bradbury and Chiwa Higashi Advisors : Lee Worley, Giovannina Jobson, Jane Carpenter Cohn, Kwesi Kwarteng Visual Art exhibition set up : Heather Locke and Sky Brooks Ikebana set up group : Alexandra Shenpen Panel moderation : Kwesi Kwarteng All Visual Artists from Boulder community Video from Surmang Foundation Rebekah West, Atlas CU And the support of many in the Boulder community Within the collaboration of Shambhala Art International, Boulder Shambhala Meditation Center, Naropa University, Atlas Colorado University
Halifax, Canada
Halifax, NS, Canada – Intl Shambhala Arts Day Festival 2008
Friday, March 14 – Sunday, March 15 2008
Halifax celebrated Arts Day in a fine fashion this year, begining with a Shambhala Art Program and a full day of the Contemplative Arts exploration open to all.
The Shambhala Art Program explored the principles of Shambhala Art including the senses, first thought best thought,, and coming back to square one, lead by Jerry Granelli and Margaret Jones Callahan. Jerry Granelli lead exercises in listening, hearing, and foundations of group improvisation and Margaret Jones Callahan lead exercises in looking, seeing, and large brush calligraphy. Participants and staff really took to the challenge and explored the teachings with great curiosity and humor.
Sunday, March 16,
Members of the Public and the Shambhala community joined us for an exploration of improvisation through Argentine tango, Ikebana creation, the flow of Japanese court gesture and the peaceful power of tea ceremony.
Find Your Mind in Moving Embrace
An experiential workshop in the art of Argentine tango with tango instructor and dharma pratictioner Margaret Spore. The group explored the dynamics of receptive leading and active following without allegiance to gender.
Ikebana Arrangements
The Kalapa Ikebana Group created ikebana arrangements and were delighted with the turnout to observe the magic of this creative process.
Music and Movement of Japanese Court
With Dessie Howard and friends, who explored the Shambhala dignities in the form of Jo-Ha-Kyu. Jo: a slow and careful beginning, Ha: a gradual increase in tempo, Kyu: a rapid conclusion.
We ended the day with Tea Offering with Kalapa Cha
Wayne H Burt, Coordinator, Halifax Intl Shambhala Arts Day Festival 2008
Attachments (photos) – all photos by Shirley Robb
Margaret Jones Callahan Dorje Denma Ling, Halifax, Canada
Coming Home to Body – a weekend program of contemplative arts with a focus on music, sounds and creative movement with Lance Brunner and Violaine Morinville on the Weekend of March 21 – 23rd 2008
Dechen Chöling, France
Hello everybody,
Greetings from France. Here is a brief report about our Arts Day which happened April 27. We are extremely busy here preparing for the Gesar Festival so it was very inspiring that the DCL staff whole heartedly helped create and host this day in the midst of everything else that they are doing… We celebrated our Arts Day with a a big open house for the local community. For Dechen Choling this event is more than a celebration of the arts, it is also a way to help dissolve the invisible barrier that separates us from the world around us because of language, culture, and the curious perception of the mysterious buddhists. This year there was an exhibition which combined traditional Shambhala and Buddhist iconography with calligraphy and contemporary art. There were also presentations of kado, kyudo, and calligraphy and we also offered meditation instruction which was very well attended! It was really great that so many people wanted to try it. Our famous tea break with wonderful pasteries is always a big hit. This event is a wonderful way to meet the local people and it definitely raises the lungta and pride of our sangha.
Best to all, Herb Elsky
Hawaï, aloha
We would like to participate again the the shambhala art festival in 2008. Our vision is to change the elephants on the vishvavajra to the garuda’s, so they can span the threefold world.
Mahalo,
Carley Fonville
Los Angeles, USA
10 year old Aidan Jensen, when asked how his art related to the principles of Shambhla Art wrote for our catalog this year: I thought meditation was new to me, until I realized how much meditating is exactly like taking pictures or working with clay. Then I realized making art – at least for me – is a form of meditation, and I love that.
Julian Jensen’s statement, aged 6: I see the world and I draw it. It’s all true. Even when the drawings don’t look exactly like the real world, they’re still completely true.
We just had our third festival and it was very inspiring, especially seeing so many families and children present. The shrine room/gallery reflected a wide range of artistic practices as usual, and this year included art submitted by two young brothers (statements above). The performances and poetry readings have become an important part of our festival. They create an open space of contemplation, humor and insight as well as an invitation to linger.
It started with Steve Saitzyk’s short welcome and jumped right into the performances. Three of us did a short heaven, earth and humanity mudra space awareness exercise as taught to us by Lee Worley in March. There was a poetry reading, a spoken word manifesto, a story and song and classical harp performance. This all took place within our shrine room/exhibition space during Saturday night’s reception where there was delicious food and a large crowd. We had so many new faces in the center, with a large portion of them friends and family of the artists. At one point we counted 100 people in the center. The exhibition held mostly 2-D art – painting, drawing, photography, calligraphy, with sculpture, a quilt, jewelry, kado, animation and film. The community room contained the silent auction items as well as small items for sale, including white porcelain vases, felt bowls, a fused glass Ashe plate and colorful slogan collages sold to fund scholarships for Shambhala Training.
Sunday was nyinthun and the center’s monthly open house. Following that, a Shambhala Art teacher lead the contemplative viewing practice with one of the works in the show. Then Family Arts bloomed with the building of an inner sanctum (a cave made of gomdens) and a crafts table followed by Three Magic Oranges: Stories and Songs for the Family by Master storyteller and Shambhala Art teacher, Angela Lloyd. We had about 15 kids and parents in attendance this year for our Sunday events. The entire weekend was a fabulous expression of our community’s richness!
Thank you again, Violaine, for fostering the Shambhala Arts Festival!
Cheers! Anne Saitzyk
Here’s our ad:
The term dharma art does not mean art depicting Buddhist symbols or ideas, such as the wheel of life or the story of Gautama Buddha. Rather, dharma art refers to art that springs from a certain state of mind on the part of the artist that could be called the meditative state. It is an attitude of directness and unself-consciousness in one’s creative work. from Collected Works of Chögyam Trungpa Volume Seven
Please join us for Los Angeles’ 3rd annual Shambhala Arts Festival Saturday May 24th: Doors open at 6 pm with Exhibition Spoken word, Poetry and Performances begin at 7 pm; Reception, music – 7:30 – 10 pm Sunday May 25th: Drop-In morning meditation 9 – 11 am Free meditation instruction available; Open House 11 – noon. Contemplative viewing of the art work, Children’s program and more – 1 – 3 pm Featured Artists and Performers: Guy Blume, Darryl Burnham, Catherine Cundy, Debra Dysart, Jill Freeman, Lynda Golan, J.C. Jaress, Aidan Jensen, Julian Jensen, Todd Jensen, Jennifer Kelly, Joan-Claire Kleihauer, Judy Korin, Tara Krause, Anastazia Laubert, Angela Lloyd, Lynda Mackillican, Sarah MacDonald, Chemene Margelin, Greg Prestopino, Todd Richmond, Nicole Ruelle-Oppenheimer, Anne Saitzyk, Steven Saitzyk, Frances Smith, Carolyn Sykes, Amanda Tasse, Jane Mi, Alicia Vogl Saenz, Lauren Volk, Joel Wachbrit, Tiare White, Carole Wilson, Peter Wowkowych, Melody Wyskocil.
The Shambhala Arts Festival is an international event during which the entire Shambhala community is invited to celebrate the arts based on Shambhala/Dharma Art principles at their Centers. This festival is an opportunity to gather artists and help establish the roots of enlightened society. The Shambhala Art program, based on the dharma art teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, explores the creative and viewing processes and the product we call art from the viewpoint of a meditative discipline. It is a viewpoint that encourages us to see things as they are, rather than how we imagine they are.
On display and in performance, photography, poetry, painting (oil, watercolor, acrylic), collage, jewelry, jazz harp, sculpture, art quilting, drawing, animation, kado ikebana, calligraphy and mudra space awareness (a contemplative performance practice).
New York City, USA
A collaboration with the International Buddhist Day on March 21st 2008
Kingdom of Art –
NEW YORK SHAMBHALA CENTER SPRING DHARMA ART FESTIVAL REPORT
On Shambhala Day 2008 we unveiled our new Rigden Shrine. One and one-half months later, on the Equinox, we premiered our Dharma Art Sadhana, One and one-half months later, HH Karmapa 17 first stop in the West was NYSC. Coincidence? This Sadhana is based on the inseparability of Buddhism and Shambhala, symbolized by Tara and Gesar uniting to create Dharma Art and the Kingdom of Enlightenment. This is a never ending work in progress. During the weekend, our subjects spontaneously created poems, songs, dances and offerings to complete the outlines of the text. This is meant to be an inspiration to all to create many celebrations of the Journey of the Great Eastern Sun. It is dedicated to the vast vision of the Vidyadhara and the Sakyong. Attached are some video stills and the rough draft of the text. We invite you to enjoy!!!
Hi Violaine. Here’s a brief souvenir scrapbook of our Dharma Art Spring Festival. This slide show was tossed together so we could present it on Parinirvana Day. We wanted to show Trungpa Future, not just Trungpa Past. It’s made from captured video which we still plan to edit to put on YouTube. The Sadhanna is actually quite detailed. I tried to reference all of CTR’s DA teachings into a single whole picture. It took one and a half hours to perform so this is just a hint.
Jack Niland
Jack Niland’s Dharma Art Sadhana and Slides of the Performance
San Diego, CA, USA
Attached is the schedule of events. People liked the new addition of the collaborative painting exercise, esp the kids.
Sunday, March 30th, 2008
Shambhala Arts Festival Schedule
9-10am: Sitting Meditation
10-1030am: Tea Time, community room (Collaborative Painting introduction)
*1030-1115am: Origami led by Sherrell Richmond, library
*1030-1115am: Awareness Through Movement lesson led by Barbara
Hegenbart, shrine room
*1115-12pm: Round Singing led by Richard Darsie, shrine room
*1115-12pm: Face Painting led by Gene Tashima, patio or library
12-1pm: Lunch Break (BYOL or enjoy local dining a short walk away)
1-130pm: Open Expression (anyone is welcome to participate), shrine room
*1-3pm: Functional Integration, 20-minute individual hands-on-work sessions with Barbara Hegenbart, annex, (sign-up sheet in community room)
*130-215pm: Poetry as Practice led by Bill Fell, shrine room
*130-215pm: The Art of Wine Tasting led by Eric Henn, library
215-3pm: Drum Circle led by Lou Lasprugato
( * ) denotes times with simultaneous activities occurring in different rooms
Lou Lasprugato
Tucson, AZ, USA
SHAMBHALA ARTS FESTIVAL 2008 HELD AT TUCSON SHAMBHALA MEDITATION CENTER MARCH 27 TO 29
The annual Shambhala Arts Festival took place at the Tucson Shambhala Meditation Center Thursday March 27 through Saturday March 29, 2008.
The Shambhala Arts Festival, celebrated at Shambhala Centers all around the world near or on the date of Shambhala Arts Day, March 22, 2008, the spring equinox, is part of The International Shambhala Arts Festival, which is about manifesting and displaying art that wakes up its maker and its viewer to genuineness and truthfulness. To quote Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, “Genuine art reveals the truth.” The community joined artists and guests in celebrating the arts based on Shambhala/Dharma Art principles over the three days of the festival. This event was an opportunity to gather artists and help establish the roots of enlightened society as well as explore the dynamics of art creation and viewing of the processes and products we call art from the viewpoint of a meditative discipline that encourages us to see things as they are, rather than how we imagine they are Several volunteers, including Shambhala Art Festival Coordinator Aurore Chabot, Mike Keller, William Thompson, Jane Black, Dennie Work, Bryan Crow, Sarah Cotten, Linda and Walt Ranks, Jacqueline Denton, Judy Nicholson, Philip Inzel, Carol Summers, helped make this year’s festival a success. Thirteen artists, Judy Alender, Aurore Chabot, Sarah Cotten, Bryan Crow, Maurice Grossman, Sloane Haywood, Philip Inzel, Jan McDonald, Nancy McDonald, Scott Nicholson, William Thompson, Dennie Work, and Richard Zelens exhibited paintings, digital images, drawings, pastels, mixed media works, ceramic vessels, sculptures and tiles, silk wall hangings, and poetry, while Mike Keller, before a full audience during the opening reception, presented a quietly provocative performance piece about hunger and examining motives for baking bread and feeding it to the homeless and others. Artwork was carefully installed in the main meditation room, where it seemed to coalesce effortlessly into a magical space of light, delight and contemplation. Judy Alender created the floral arrangements that graced the main shrine room and the reception table. The March 28th opening reception was very festive with conversation, celebratory food and beverages. Many Shambhala members, friends and guests participated in the activities. On Saturday, Aurore Chabot facilitated a meditation with clay with a few participants who were instructed to work on a one-inch cube of clay for a specific period of time after which ensued a discussion about each participant’s experience during the process.
Aurore Chabot
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mike Keller (520)299-6008, Email: Mike@dawachodrak.com, Web Site: tucson.shambhala.org
Shambhala Arts Festival Wakes People Up
Fifteen Artists Present Meditative Art
Visitors Explore Processes and Products of Shambhala Art
Tucson, Arizona – The Tucson Shambhala Center presents the third annual Shambhala Arts Festival, Thursday, March 27 through Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 3250 North Tucson Boulevard, to help establish the roots of enlightened society. The Festival gathers 15 area artists working in ceramics, fibers, painting, performance, and sculpture, and provides opportunities for visitors to participate in Shambhala Art.
Shambhala Art explores the creative and viewing processes and the product we call art from the viewpoint of a meditative discipline ? a viewpoint that encourages us to see things as they are, rather than how we imagine they are. Shambhala Art is a process and a product: As a process, it brings wakefulness and awareness to the creative and viewing processes through the integration of contemplation and meditation. As a product, it is art that wakes people up.
The Festival offers visitors the opportunity to explore the processes and products of Shambhala Art, through the artists’ works as well as through readings, discussion, and a working with clay meditation led by Festival Coordinator Aurore Chabot.
Participating artists include Chabot, Sarah Cotton, Bryan Crow, Sloane Haywood, Philip Inzel, Mike Keller, Lynette Lakshmeena, Mary Anne Lisney, Jan McDonald, Nancy McDonald, Scott Nicholson, Katrina ‘sKip’ Steib, William Thompson, Dennie Work, and Richard Zelens.
Although the Shambhala Art teachings are inspired by Shambhala Buddhism, they are not in any way religious or about adopting a religion. Joining meditation and contemplation with art making and art viewing is pre-religion. The teachings are about discovery and play, and the universal nature of the creative and viewing process and what the result communicates.
Schedule: March 27 – 29
Thursday, March 27, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Exhibition opens.
Friday, March 28, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Opening Reception. Readings and Discussion. At 6:30, a performance by Mike Keller.
Saturday, March 29, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Last day of exhibition. Working with Clay Meditation led by Aurore Chabot.
The Tucson Shambhala Center (tucson.shambhala.org) provides weekly meditation practices, offers meditation classes and instruction, and sponsors a curriculum of workshops that help students develop a personal meditation practice in order to engage more fully and compassionately in the world.
Contact: Mike Keller, (520)299-6008, Mike@dawachodrak.com
Victoria, BC, Canada
Charles Blackhall
Washington DC, USA
Here is a report on our activities on Shambhala Arts Day:
Shambhala Arts Day is a celebration of the artsheld annuallyat Shambhala Meditation Centers across the world. Washington DCmarked the occasion with an art exhibit and an extravaganza of music,dance andpoetry held the evening of March 22, 2008. The evening was anauspicious onesince the event was held in the center’s new headquarters in Cleveland Park,a lively urban district in the nation’s capital.
Before the evening event, member and friends ofthe centersubmitted their artwork to replace the customary thangkas andcalligraphies. Theeclectic display included Miksang-inspired photography, pottery, andabstractand figurative paintings and drawings.
The evening began with a delicious receptionprovided by theDC Pen Club, a group that meets once a month to share their poetry andcreativewriting. During the reception, guests had a chance to view artwork,take partin a collage workshop and hang out in the “Maitri” room which wasoutfittedwith colored lights that gradually changed through the spectrum.
Guests then gathered in the shrine room to listento avariety of performances including original songs performed on theguitar, sitarmusic, and a flute and drum piece. The DC Pen Club offered poetry andshortstories and a delightful musical adaptation of the story of the ThreeLittlePigs. Deborah Riley, founder of her own dance company, offered a danceinspiredby haiku and choreographed just for the event.
you can view photos of the event at: http://www.shambhala.org/centers/washingtondc/multimedia/photos/shambhala-arts-day-2008
Tom Semmes
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