Upcoming and CURRENT Events
Marjorie Brandon Award honors Ignacio Dias
Marjorie Brandon was an art teacher beloved throughout the area. She lived to be almost 110. In her name, the Center for Spiritual Living/Brandon/Mitchell Gallery honors an artist who is involved in the community each year.
This year the honor goes to Ignacio Dias, well known for his art and art classes in Tulare and Kings counties. He will receive the award at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10 at the Center for Spiritual Living, 117 S. Locust, Visalia.
Diaz learned collage from Brandon herself and often helped her with her classes. A Visalia native, he showed his talent early and won an art contest in high school that gave him a scholarship at College of the Sequoias. But it's hard making a living with your art, so Diaz became a hair stylist instead to support his wife and two children.
Later he returned to art and took many classes, becoming skilled in oil, acrylics, sculptures, pastels and collage. He has been president of the Visalia Art League several times and has displayed his work in many local galleries. His paintings show the diversity in people and their cultures.
Congratulations to Max & Ruthy our new 2026-2027 mascots!
In September 2026, we completed our sixth International Peace Day project. The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) is observed around the world each year on September 21. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution 36/37, the General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.”
We have created origami cranes (see below) and crane-wrapped forms, sent peace letters, made Peace Poles and invited other denominations to have a day of prayer with us. This year, we created a Global Heart of Peace for every congregation giving their peace prayer.
Our first Peace Crane Project
Cranes have a long history in Japan, China and Korea to represent good fortune and longevity. It was believed that if one folded 1,000 origami cranes, a wish you make would come true.
Crane projects have become symbols of peace and to memorialize those who have died from Covid or other tragic circumstances. The CSL Home Office created an origami Peace Crane Sculpture using pages of the Centers for Spiritual Living 2020 Spiritual Journal.
CSL Visalia’s Fun-Raising Crane Project was completed in 2021. We made 1,000 cranes to hang in our Center. Our project raised over $700 for which we are eternally grateful. We have enjoyed having so many people participate in the project, contributing hand-made cranes, time, paper and money. We give thanks to all who participated and all those who have been able to see and enjoy the cranes .
We hope the messages written on the wings of our cranes will fly around the world and bring blessings, peace and love to all.
