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Write about Asia — Tea Times: Cultures, Commerce, and Conflict

2016 WAA Culture and Preparation of Tea

DescriptionWrite about Asia writing workshop

The Write about Asia workshop series is facilitated by Mary Barber Roberts and is offered in conjunction with the Seattle Asian Art Museum’s Gardner Center for Asian Art and Ideas Saturday University Lecture Series.

The current series is titled “Tea Times: Cultures, Commerce, and Conflict.” The history of tea is steeped in philosophy, literature, art, and world trade. Take an in-depth look at wild plants, distinct pleasures, and imperial exploitation as eight scholars present a few remarkable moments from the long story of tea (description taken from the Gardner Center website).

Each Saturday, educators will attend the public lecture from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. and then meet for a writing workshop from 11:00 a.m – 1:30 p.m.  During the workshop, time is given to solitary writing in the art galleries in response to the morning lecture. The group then reconvenes to share working drafts. The workshop nurtures educators as writers through self-reflection and group discussion.

Fall 2016 lecture topics

OCT 1 The Origins and Spread of Tea-drinking in China and the World

OCT 8 Buddhism and the Invention of Tea Culture in Medieval China

OCT 15 Engaging the Object: The Art of Tea in Sixteenth Century Japan

OCT 22 Tea Horse Road: China’s Ancient Trade Route to Tibet

OCT 29 No meeting

NOV 5 Consuming Empires, Consuming Desires: Images of Tea Times and Tea Labors

NOV 12 The Power and Pleasure of Tea Bowls in Japan

NOV 19 Tea Revives the World: Advertising a Global Commodity during the Great Depression

NOV 26 No meeting

DEC 3 Can a Plantation Be Fair? Paradoxes and Promises of Fair Trade in Darjeeling, India

For information about the topics and speakers, visit the Gardner Center website.

Workshop details

Saturdays from October 1 to December 3 (no meetings on Oct 29 or Nov 26)
9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Seattle Asian Art Museum, Volunteer Park

Benefits

Free admission to the lecture and four free clock hours are available for each workshop. Educators can earn up to 32 clock hours by attending all of the workshop sessions.