Turning a Cup of Tea Into Art at Teaism

Twenty Teaism friends came together at Teaism Penn Quarter at the end of July for a workshop that encouraged everyone to slow down, sip tea mindfully, and transform the moment into art.

The evening was part of Teaism’s 30th anniversary celebrations, a series of gatherings meant to bring the community together and honor three decades of tea, food, and connection. Around the room, you could spot both curious first-time visitors and longtime regulars who’ve been coming to Teaism for thirty years, all mingling and sharing stories.

Lela Singh, manager of the Tea Shop, greeted everyone with a heartfelt welcome, instantly setting a tone of warmth and curiosity. Then, local mixed-media artist and workshop leader Ariana R-G took the reins, guiding participants through a meditative tea tasting experience designed to turn a cup of tea into a doorway for creativity.

Four Teas, Four Moods

Everyone chose from a selection of curated teas to inspire their art piece — exploring each one through touch, taste, smell, and sight:

• ☕️ Lavender Lemon Mint — Flowery and calming, with lemon verbena, lavender, and a touch of cinnamon
• ☕️ Berry Beauty — A fruity, creamy-noted brew of elderberries, currants, and hibiscus
• ☕️ Puer — Earthy and grounding, aged for depth and complexity
• ☕️ Jasmine Green Tea — A classic Chinese green tea scented with fresh jasmine blossoms

From Sip to Snip

With tea in hand, Ariana invited everyone to reflect: What does this tea remind you of? What colors come to mind? These prompts made it easy to turn the tea experience into something visual — a memory, a place, a mood — that was expressed through collage.

The room hummed with creative energy as people snipped, layered, and arranged paper side by side, chatting with neighbors and enjoying Teaism snacks. Some collages glowed with bright pinks inspired by Berry Beauty, while others grounded themselves in the earthy tones of Puerh.

No two collages were alike, each one as unique and personal as its maker, a small map of where a single cup of tea could take you.

Take a peek at some of the collages:

Jasmine Green Tea	Berry Beauty
Lavender Lemon Mint	Puer

This workshop is just one way we’re celebrating Teaism’s 30th anniversary. Want to join the fun? Check out upcoming events at teaism.com/30th.