The Mandala Medicine Movement:A Community-Driven Art Experience

Welcome to the Mandala Medicine Movement, a collaborative and inclusive way we paint large Mandalas on the street and parks in our communities. Our method ignites creativity, fosters community identity, and celebrates unity.

Our journey began in the autumn of 1993 in the heart of the Ojai Valley in Southern California, where we started painting large mandalas in the main intersection of town, in the middle of the night, the night before our Ojai Day celebration. 

Looking ahead, we're excited to develop new resources, including a comprehensive curriculum, residency programs, coloring books, design templates, video how-to instructions and more, to support our growing community of artists, educators, and enthusiasts. By forging partnerships with non-profits, collaborating with community builders worldwide and securing grants we aim to create a vibrant network of Mandala Medicine Movement members who celebrate community, creativity, and the magic of co-creation. 

In the center of our project lies the Mandala, a Sanskrit term meaning “circle,” colorfully symbolizing the interconnectedness of life. The ancient tradition of crafting colorful, symmetrical and temporary mandalas celebrates life and change. Nothing lasts forever, the old forms make way for the new.

Over the years, the Mandala Medicine Movement has served our diverse and ever-changing community. It has evolved into a harmonious blend of indigenous traditions from various continents, merging ancient wisdom with contemporary practices and understanding.  Circle art and teachings are ubiquitous in ancient and modern cultures the world over. Some examples are India and Tibet's mandala art, the Mayan Calendar, Chinese Yin/Yang, Native American Medicine Wheel, Australian Aboriginal Dot art, stone circles in Africa, South American and Europe. We honor our roots and embrace the rich cultural heritage that forms the tapestry of our collective identity.

As we expand our reach and share our passion for unifying people through beauty-making, we invite you to join us on this journey. Our mission is to support the empowerment of individuals and communities to come together, to join in the process of communal artistic expression. When we work this way we explore our creative potential, and find joy and a sense of connection and belonging in the Mandala.