Mandala Chalk Creation: Nancy Cleaver, visual artist

Sidewalk in front of Elaine Langone Center

Saturday, August 27, 2011 – 10:15 a.m. - noon (rain location: Smith Hall passageway)

We live in a mandala world. We are surrounded by and embody mandalas of every dimension.

One definition, translated from the Tibetan, is "an integrated structure organized around a unifying center". Every circle, spiral or sphere is a mandala; so are atoms, planetary orbits, and many plant structures. We use mandala forms in math, of course, and in music, literature, religion, and visual arts.

In 2006, visual artist Nancy Cleaver first explored the idea of using words to explore mandalas which would aim to integrate the qualities of the idea expressed both as image and word. The first was Joy, spiraling out of a spinning center, which was selected as the theme and image for the Lewisburg Arts Festival when she was Featured Artist in 2010.

By 2008 Cleaver's focus became centered on one word: Peace, for which many mandalas and projects developed. One became a 10' diameter chalk mandala to travel to art and music festivals and rallies. To reflect the nature of living peace, the word moves from the center out, and the outside in, making a dynamic pattern of exchange and cooperation. Each community event has unique results in color and emphasis. People of all ages have participated, then danced, hula-hooped, talked and sang around it.

Cleaver will sketch a chalk mandala in front of the Elaine Langone Center (ELC) uphill sidewalk between the ELC and Marts Hall. Festival participants are invited to help in the creation of the mandala. All are welcome.