Experience the ancient Tibetan practice of sand painting in Oshkosh this March. The festival will be held at the Paine Art Center and Gardens, a historic estate dedicated to celebrating national and international art. The Paine features gorgeous botanical gardens, Tudor Revival-style architecture, and an incredible art collection in their galleries. They also host some of the finest art exhibitions in all of Wisconsin, ranging from classical art to more contemporary work. This March, they are honored to host The Mystical Arts of Tibet Festival, a rare opportunity to learn about the art, culture, and philosophy of the Tibetan people.

Tibetan lamas from the Drepung Loseling Monastery will be traveling to Oshkosh for a weeklong visit from March 17th through 24th. The festival begins on Sunday with an opening ceremony in the Conservatory, where the monks will consecrate the site with chants and music. Afterward, they will begin drawing the elaborate line design for the sacred mandala. For the rest of the week, they will meticulously paint millions of grains of sand in a rich, beautiful array of colors. The community is invited to attend and observe all rituals throughout the week. The ceremony closes with chants, music, and a mantra recitation before the monks swipe away their creation, an act meant to symbolize the Buddhist belief in the transitory nature of all material life. Some of the remaining sand will be distributed to audience members for blessings of personal health and well-being.

Though the sand painting is the center of the festival, there are many other ways to experience the art and culture of Tibet throughout the week. The festival will also include morning meditation, interfaith dialogues, community art projects, and lectures on subjects such as kindness, healing, death, and general Buddhist philosophy. We also recommend taking this opportunity to check out The Paine’s current exhibition titled Tibetan Portrait: The Power of Compassion. The exhibition showcases the amazing work of Phil Borges, a social documentary filmmaker and photographer who spent years photographing the people of the Himalayas, from nomads to the Dalai Lama himself.

The Paine Center & Gardens is located just six minutes away from the Brayton Bed & Breakfast. We strongly encourage all guests to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to learn about the arts, culture, and philosophy of the Tibetan people. We hope you will leave the event feeling more peaceful, compassionate, and inspired.

Planning a trip to Oshkosh, Wisconsin this spring? Book a stay at the Brayton Bed & Breakfast, a boutique bed & breakfast where modern luxury meets historic charm.