Clark College in Vancouver, WA

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News Release

Clark College Hosts Tibetan Sand Mandala Construction, Feb. 23–27 (Photo) - 02/12/26

Free community event features sacred art creation in celebration of International Education

 

VANCOUVER, Wash.— Clark College invites the community to experience a week of culture, art, and global connection celebrating International Education, February 23-27 on the college’s main campus, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington.

 

The highlight of the week is the construction of a traditional Tibetan sand mandala, presented by Clark College International Programs, Clark Libraries, and the Dharma Light Tibetan Buddhist Association of Vancouver. The event is free and open to the community.

 

Tibetan Buddhist monks from South India will spend a week constructing an intricate sand mandala inside Cannell Library.  The public is invited to observe this living work of art, starting at 9 am – 6:30 pm from Monday, Feb. 23 to Friday, Feb. 27.  

 

The week begins with an Opening Ceremony at 9 am on Monday and concludes with a Closing Ceremony at 1:30 pm on Friday, both featuring traditional Tibetan Buddhist chanting and music. Following the closing ceremony, the monks will disperse the sand from 3-4 pm at the Vancouver Waterfront Park, extending the blessing to the wider region. (Transportation and parking fees are not provided.) 

 

On Thursday, Feb. 26, from 2-3 pm in Cannell Library Room 101, Venerable Lobsang Dawa will lead a special Sacred Tibetan Art presentation, sharing the history and symbolism of the sand mandala, and reflecting on the importance of compassion in daily life. 

 

In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the creation of a sand mandala is intended to generate a profound experience of compassion and healing. It is believed that the positive energy of a sand mandala radiates outward for world peace, offering blessings throughout the entire region, the environment and the surrounding community. At the end of the week, the mandala is ceremonially dismantled to symbolize the impermanence of all phenomena. 

 

This marks the fifth time Clark College has hosted a mandala construction on campus, with previous visits taking place in 2012, 2015, 2020 and 2023. View a video from the 2012 sand mandala construction on Clark College’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/IYVcjFhpsHc

 

Tibetan Sand Mandala Schedule - Clark’s Cannell Library:

  • Monday, Feb. 23, 9 am ⁠– 6:30 pm
    [Opening Ceremony starting at 9 am]
     
  • Tuesday, Feb. 24, 9 am ⁠– 6:30 pm
     
  • Wednesday, Feb. 25, 9 am ⁠– 6:30 pm
     
  • Thursday, Feb. 26, 9 am – 6:30 pm
    with Sacred Tibetan Art presentation at 2 – 3 pm, Room 101
     
  • Friday, Feb. 27, 9⁠ am – 1:30 pm
    [Closing Ceremony at 1:30 ⁠– 2:30 pm]
    Sand Dispersal: 3⁠ – 4 pm at the Vancouver Waterfront Park (transportation & parking fees not provided)

Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps.
 

All Are Welcome: Clark College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution. Learn more at www.clark.edu/nds.

Clark College expressly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, citizenship, immigration status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal in its programs and activities. Learn more at www.clark.edu/nds 
 

Accommodation: If you need an accommodation due to a disability to participate in this event, please contact hr@clark.edu or 360-992-2432. Please make requests as early as possible to ensure appropriate arrangements can be made.
 

About Clark’s International Programs

International Programs provides support services and opportunities to foster a global perspective and cross-cultural competence for Clark College and the communities it serves. The program also offers an intensive English Language program. During the 2025-26 academic year, Clark College hosts 78* international students. Learn more about Clarks International Programs.  (*Fall 2026. Enrollment number changes each term)

 

Clark College’s International Education programming reflects the college’s commitment to global learning, cultural exchange, and fostering understanding across communities.

 

About Clark College 

Founded in 1933, Clark College is Southwest Washington’s largest public institution of higher education. Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. This public community college offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves almost 10,000 students including high school students, veterans, displaced workers, multilingual and mature learners. About three-quarters of its students are the first in their families to attend college.   

 

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Attached Media Files: Tibetan monks creating a sand mandala, Tibetan monks dismantling a sand mandala, Tibetan monks creating a sand mandala, POSTER,

Clark College Hosts Tibetan Sand Mandala Construction, Feb. 23–27 (Photo) - 02/12/26

Free community event features sacred art creation in celebration of International Education

 

VANCOUVER, Wash.— Clark College invites the community to experience a week of culture, art, and global connection celebrating International Education, February 23-27 on the college’s main campus, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington.

 

The highlight of the week is the construction of a traditional Tibetan sand mandala, presented by Clark College International Programs, Clark Libraries, and the Dharma Light Tibetan Buddhist Association of Vancouver. The event is free and open to the community.

 

Tibetan Buddhist monks from South India will spend a week constructing an intricate sand mandala inside Cannell Library.  The public is invited to observe this living work of art, starting at 9 am – 6:30 pm from Monday, Feb. 23 to Friday, Feb. 27.  

 

The week begins with an Opening Ceremony at 9 am on Monday and concludes with a Closing Ceremony at 1:30 pm on Friday, both featuring traditional Tibetan Buddhist chanting and music. Following the closing ceremony, the monks will disperse the sand from 3-4 pm at the Vancouver Waterfront Park, extending the blessing to the wider region. (Transportation and parking fees are not provided.) 

 

On Thursday, Feb. 26, from 2-3 pm in Cannell Library Room 101, Venerable Lobsang Dawa will lead a special Sacred Tibetan Art presentation, sharing the history and symbolism of the sand mandala, and reflecting on the importance of compassion in daily life. 

 

In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the creation of a sand mandala is intended to generate a profound experience of compassion and healing. It is believed that the positive energy of a sand mandala radiates outward for world peace, offering blessings throughout the entire region, the environment and the surrounding community. At the end of the week, the mandala is ceremonially dismantled to symbolize the impermanence of all phenomena. 

 

This marks the fifth time Clark College has hosted a mandala construction on campus, with previous visits taking place in 2012, 2015, 2020 and 2023. View a video from the 2012 sand mandala construction on Clark College’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/IYVcjFhpsHc

 

Tibetan Sand Mandala Schedule - Clark’s Cannell Library:

  • Monday, Feb. 23, 9 am ⁠– 6:30 pm
    [Opening Ceremony starting at 9 am]
     
  • Tuesday, Feb. 24, 9 am ⁠– 6:30 pm
     
  • Wednesday, Feb. 25, 9 am ⁠– 6:30 pm
     
  • Thursday, Feb. 26, 9 am – 6:30 pm
    with Sacred Tibetan Art presentation at 2 – 3 pm, Room 101
     
  • Friday, Feb. 27, 9⁠ am – 1:30 pm
    [Closing Ceremony at 1:30 ⁠– 2:30 pm]
    Sand Dispersal: 3⁠ – 4 pm at the Vancouver Waterfront Park (transportation & parking fees not provided)

Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps.
 

All Are Welcome: Clark College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution. Learn more at www.clark.edu/nds.

Clark College expressly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, citizenship, immigration status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal in its programs and activities. Learn more at www.clark.edu/nds 
 

Accommodation: If you need an accommodation due to a disability to participate in this event, please contact hr@clark.edu or 360-992-2432. Please make requests as early as possible to ensure appropriate arrangements can be made.
 

About Clark’s International Programs

International Programs provides support services and opportunities to foster a global perspective and cross-cultural competence for Clark College and the communities it serves. The program also offers an intensive English Language program. During the 2025-26 academic year, Clark College hosts 78* international students. Learn more about Clarks International Programs.  (*Fall 2026. Enrollment number changes each term)

 

Clark College’s International Education programming reflects the college’s commitment to global learning, cultural exchange, and fostering understanding across communities.

 

About Clark College 

Founded in 1933, Clark College is Southwest Washington’s largest public institution of higher education. Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. This public community college offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves almost 10,000 students including high school students, veterans, displaced workers, multilingual and mature learners. About three-quarters of its students are the first in their families to attend college.   

 

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Attached Media Files: Tibetan monks creating a sand mandala, Tibetan monks dismantling a sand mandala, Tibetan monks creating a sand mandala, POSTER,