Fou Gallery and Teasthetic are delighted to co-host a special Lunar New Year event, inviting participants to explore and honor the rich cultural traditions that mark this auspicious time. This thoughtfully curated program combines the elegance of a tea ceremony with the artistry of Chinese calligraphy, creating a meaningful and enriching experience for all attendees.
Chinese Tea Ceremony: The Chinese tea ceremony, deeply rooted in tradition, represents harmony, respect, and tranquility. During the Lunar New Year, it is a cherished ritual that fosters connection and gratitude while symbolizing wishes for peace and prosperity in the year to come. Participants will experience the meticulous preparation of premium teas, savor handcrafted tea snacks and the contemplative spirit that accompanies this practice.
Calligraphy Workshop: Writing chunlian (春联), or New Year couplets, is a longstanding tradition rooted in the desire to invite blessings, happiness, and prosperity into the home. These poetic phrases are typically displayed around doorways during the Lunar New Year. Participants will also write the character 福 (meaning “blessing” or “good fortune”), another cherished practice that symbolizes the hope for a prosperous year. Many families hang the 福 character upside down to signify the arrival of blessings (福到). Guided by an experienced calligrapher, attendees will learn the culture, techniques and meanings behind these traditional writings.
New Year Gift Set: To commemorate the occasion, each participant will receive an exclusive Lunar New Year gift set, valued at $25, featuring premium loose tea and a specially selected seasonal keepsake.
Instructor
Mengyan Gong is a tea artist, pursued in-depth studies of Chinese tea culture after earning her Ph.D. from Tsinghua University in 2015, apprenticing under the highly innovative tea master Li Shuyun. Mengyan has collaborated with arts and culture institutions in New York to host numerous tea gatherings and educational events. In 2023, she founded the Teasthetic Studio (instagram: @teasthetic.life), with a mission to spread the tradition of Chinese tea art and culture in a modern and innovative manner by drawing inspiration from contemporary life and art.