photo by: Shawn Valverde

A monk gets ready to start working on the sand mandala at the Lawrence Arts Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.

With metal funnels, colored sand and extremely steady hands, Tibetan monks began crafting a 5-foot-wide mandala on Tuesday at the Lawrence Arts Center. The visiting monks will be working all week on the temporary sand artwork, according to the Lawrence Arts Center’s website, and at 3 p.m. on Saturday they will hold a closing ceremony, sweeping up the sand and taking it to the Kansas River to be released.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Kevin Mullin of UMKC introduces the monks as they begin their sand mandala at the Lawrence Arts Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Monks chant at the Lawrence Arts Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Two monks begin work on the sand mandala at the Lawrence Arts Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

A monk performs a ceremony before work begins on the sand mandala at the Lawrence Arts Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Visitors watch as monks begin work on the sand mandala at the Lawrence Arts Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Monks work carefully on the sand mandala at the Lawrence Arts Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Visitors shop at the Tibetan marketplace at the Lawrence Arts Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Goods on display at the Tibetan marketplace at the Lawrence Arts Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Wall hangings for sale are displayed at the Lawrence Arts Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.