Tibetan monks are coming back to St. Pete, and you can vote on art they’ll make

Maggie Duffy, Tampa Bay Times
·1 min read

It’s been four years since the Tibetan Buddhist Monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery in India brought their Sacred Art Tour to St. Petersburg. And with all that’s happened during that period, we could all use some positive intention.

The monks are returning to Florida CraftArt Jan. 8-14, 2024, when they will create a mandala in the gallery’s exhibition space.

This year, the public can vote on which mandala the monks will create. Voting happens on the organization’s Facebook page at facebook.com/floridacraftart.org. To vote, click on the photo of the mandala you want the monks to make and “Like” it.

The choices are the Wisdom Buddha Mandala:

Or the Medicine Buddha Mandala:

Voting ends Dec. 4. and also happens in person at Florida CraftArt at 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. The gallery’s holiday exhibition “Un-Wrapped” is on display. The gallery is open from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

This weekend is the organization’s CraftArt Festival, happening outside the gallery on the crossroads of Central Avenue and Fifth Street. It brings fine craft artists from far and near working in ceramics, glass, mixed media, fiber and jewelry. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19.

For more information, call 727-821-7391 or visit floridacraftart.org.