Experience This Stunning Work of Art During Vizcaya’s Holiday Evening Program
MIAMI – December 12, 2024 – From December 15 to December 18, visitors to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens will have a rare opportunity to witness an ancient tradition of artistry and spirituality. A group of Tibetan monks will create a traditional sand mandala in the Main House Courtyard. This intricate work of art, inspired by Green Tara, a female Buddha embodying compassion and wisdom, will unfold over four days of meticulous craftsmanship.
Guests can observe the monks daily between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, as they transform millions of grains of colored sand into a mesmerizing geometric design. The mandala’s creation culminates during Vizcaya’s annual Holiday Evening program on December 18th, from 6 PM to 9 PM.
The Holiday Evening program offers a unique opportunity to see the completed mandala. The evening concludes with a closing ceremony during which the blessed sand is ritualistically swept up — symbolizing impermanence and the dispersion of blessings. Some attendees will receive a portion of the sand to take home, a gesture of goodwill and sharing. The remainder of the sand will be carried in a processional to Biscayne Bay and released into the water, carrying blessings forward into the world.
This is a profound and visually captivating experience that blends spirituality, culture, and community, offering visitors a moment of reflection and connection.
Media Opportunities: For filming and interviews, please request access from the marketing department by emailing marketing@vizcaya.org.
Admission Options:
- Daytime Access: December 15-18, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM with regular museum admission; $25 for adults.
- Holiday Evening Program: December 18, 6 PM – 9 PM (tickets available via Eventbrite); $15 for adults.
ABOUT VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a National Historic Landmark in Miami, originally built between 1914 and 1922 as the winter estate of James Deering. Welcoming 300,000 visitors annually as a public museum since 1953, this European-inspired estate includes a Main House filled with decorative arts,10 acres of formal gardens, native forests, and mangrove shores.
On the west side of the property, the historic Vizcaya Village, which offers a Sunday farmers market and new Village Café, is being restored to support new community programs, including urban agriculture.
Located at 3251 South Miami Avenue (with the Village across the street at 3250 South Miami Avenue), Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is open daily, except Tuesdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For more information, visit www.vizcaya.org.
