WABI SABI: THE WISDOM IN IMPERFECTION

BY: NOBUO SUZUKI

TABLE DECORATORS: CHARLA ELLIS, GAIL HERSHEY, KATHY KEYES, MARY KURT-MASON, PAULA MILLER, LVONNE WILSON

Artistic women,

Elegant simplicity

Created by hand

CHARLA ELLIS, ceramics artist, created the three ikebana-inspired vases and floral arrangements. The vases were wheel thrown, trimmed, kiln fired, glazed and fired again. The beautiful flower arrangements reflect the strong white, black and red colors of the table.

GAIL HERSHEY, ceramics artist, created the red sake cups and decanters. She used black high manganese clay that was kiln fired then painted with a red glaze and etched to reveal some of the black clay underneath. Finally, the red cups and decanters were fired again.

KATHY KEYES, owner of Pagosa Baking Company, created the red on black napkins using fabric printed directly from an artist's designs. She selected the pattern and colors that worked to both coordinate and enhance all of the tableware and placemats and helped stage the table.

MARY KURT-MASON, glass artist, created the fused glass sushi plates and sauce dishes using specialty glass from Bullseye Glass in Santa Fe. After the glass was cut and layered, it was heated to 1,480 degrees then slowly cooled. After 20 hours in the kiln, the glass was placed in molds for another 18 hours of heat work.

PAULA MILLER, abstract painter, is offering a 2.5 hour workshop for up to 6 adults to the winner of our table. The workshop will focus on learning and creating in a non-judgemental space. Paula will lead the group in a variety of abstract techniques in her home art studio. All supplies will be provided.

LVONNE WILSON, owner of Suede Creek, created the black leather placemats adding a reverse appliqué design along one side. She used three separate layers of leather in each mat. The top layer, made of wipeable leather, was cut away to expose colored leather underneath, creating a bamboo design. These two layers were stitched together before a bottom layer was added.

THE MEANING OF WABI SABI:

Wabi teaches rustic simplicity, subdued elegance and the beauty found in imperfections.

Sabi speaks of the beauty and calm in what is mature or aged and the pleasure felt when appreciating the imperfect.

We embraced these ideas of Wabi Sabi while we created this art-filled table as our way to support the Ruby Sisson Memorial Library fundraiser.

Libraries

Rivers of knowledge

Flowing freely to your hands,

Hearts and minds opened