Gongfu cha ~ Art of Tea
I practice and guide Chinese tea ceremonies known as 'gongfu cha.' This is an ancient practice that combines meditation with the sensory ritual of preparing an infusion of the camellia sinensis plant. My interest in tea ceremony stems from my passion for exploring the overlaps among the human practices of art, spirituality, sensual experiences, food culture, and mindfulness. My highest excitement is to create environments for people to experience the wonder, the inspiration, and the pleasure of body-mind integration.
I chose to study at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago specifically because they do not offer majors there. I flitted among studies of performance art, sculpture, metalsmithing, painting, and bookbinding because my overarching desire (due to my fanciful, excitable fairy nature) was to create experiences with my created objects.
I have found over the last decade that tea ceremony allows me a perfect structure to combine all of my creating passions into one practice. I design tea rituals that take into account and are sensitive to the seasons, the preferences of the people involved, the astrological forces happening, and my present life excitements and inspirations. I create food-as-art tea sweets and curate my tea selections to fit the ritual as well. I designed a portable tea table that allows me to perform my tea rituals with comfort and ease. I host tea ceremonies at my private tearoom, at public and private events and in client's homes. I also provide tea room and tea table design/build services. Please contact me via the 'touch me' link on my site for inquiries.
I chose to study at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago specifically because they do not offer majors there. I flitted among studies of performance art, sculpture, metalsmithing, painting, and bookbinding because my overarching desire (due to my fanciful, excitable fairy nature) was to create experiences with my created objects.
I have found over the last decade that tea ceremony allows me a perfect structure to combine all of my creating passions into one practice. I design tea rituals that take into account and are sensitive to the seasons, the preferences of the people involved, the astrological forces happening, and my present life excitements and inspirations. I create food-as-art tea sweets and curate my tea selections to fit the ritual as well. I designed a portable tea table that allows me to perform my tea rituals with comfort and ease. I host tea ceremonies at my private tearoom, at public and private events and in client's homes. I also provide tea room and tea table design/build services. Please contact me via the 'touch me' link on my site for inquiries.