Thursday, May 23rd | 5:30pm - 8:30pm

15+ | $100

Kintsugi is a 400 year old Japanese art form of the mending of ceramics—creating beauty from brokenness. Kintsugi’s philosophy reflects Japanese culture and teaches us the importance of cherishing and caring for things in our mass consumption society, and the beauty of brokenness/imperfection in things and ourselves. We all experience scars throughout our lives, and they are a part of our history and actually give us a new kind of beauty. Kintsugi makers do not hide the fracture or brokenness of the past; rather, they mend it to make new.

In this workshop we will guide a small group through a modern method of this ancient craft. You will see and feel the beauty you have created from the brokenness and reflect on your own life's journey. No artistic gift is needed on your part and all materials needed for the experience will be provided.

Here's a little about what we will be doing:

The art of Kintsugi embodies new beauty that's made through imperfections we might normally hide. It’s an artistry of mending broken pieces, symbolically representing how brokenness in our lives can transform to places of beauty and strength. Instead of hiding chipped and broken parts, when imperfections are highlighted with the gold, symbolizing the light, you'll begin to behold something that’s even more beautiful than it was originally. It’s an art form of mending to make new. When we gather, we’ll have an open time to share our personal discoveries with each other as we apply Kintsugi to a piece we’ve each brought with us. We’ll be sharing our personal reflections as we learn and work together.

Important: Please do not break anything to bring. If nothing comes to mind immediately, take a few days to look around for any cracked, chipped, and broken ceramics you already have. If you have nothing at all to bring, don't worry, I will provide a simple ceramic piece you can mend and take home with you. And please, absolutely no glass.

See more of J. Michael Gatlin’s work on his website and Instagram.