Suminagashi Ink Marbling Workshop

NYC IRL or virtual creative workshop for culture, mental health, and wellness

Great for teams of any size | 60min | Minimum $1000

About Suminagashi Ink Marbling

  • Suminagashi, Japanese for “floating ink”, is a traditional art form from the 12th century that reveals the mesmerizing, ever-changing nature of water. It has been practiced in the same family for 57 generations.

    The most basic design is black & white concentric circles. But by adding breath, vibrations, sake, and even a hair, the possibilities become infinite and participants will be delighted with joy as they explore and experiment on their own.

    Beyond art, suminagashi is a meditation practice and mastering the art of letting go. We will also discuss our connection to nature and the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi, which is about being present and appreciating the beauty of impermanence and fleeting moments.

  • Outcomes of the suminagashi workshop includes feeling present, wonder, reduced stress, creative recharge, and connection with nature.

    You will gain a new understanding of fluid dynamics as we incorporate natural forces, such as breath and vibration, into our art to create visual harmony.

    At the end of the experience, you will feel creatively recharged and walk away with a renewed sense of wonder, and a Sumi kit for de-stressing that will last for years!

Team building best offsite NYC or virtual event with 28Muses suminagashi Japanese ink marbling art and craft activity

About This Event

  • The standard kit includes all the suminagashi supplies you need except for a cup of water: sumi ink, surfectant, trays, brushes, paper and 4 ceramic coasters for printing, 4 cork backings for the coasters which can be branded, a red gift bag, a glove, and paper towels.

    Sake is optional (6oz Bushido Sake). This is an inclusive tasting experience because the sake is used in the artwork and has an unexpected interaction with the sumi ink! If you want a tasting event but are worried about those on your team who don’t drink, the suminagashi + sake kit will be perfect!

    Shipping - please allow 10 days for US shipping and 2 weeks for international shipping. We can ship anywhere in the world!

  • Suminagashi (+Sake optional) is a 60min highly engaging creative learning workshop that can be done IRL in NYC or virtually on Zoom with kits shipped to anywhere in the world.

    With 2 brushes alternating with sumi ink and a surfectant, we will create floating pieces of art on the surface of the water and capturing the swirling, ever-morphing moments as prints on coasters.

    Virtual events: We will unbox the suminagashi kit together and the only thing participants need to bring is a cup of water.

    NYC events: we will bring all the suminagashi supplies to your venue of choice - office, restaurant/bar private room, 3rd party space, or we can host outdoors April-Nov and get a permit for a NYC Park (we have hosted live outdoor events at Central Park, Bryant Park, Pier 64 on Hudson by Chelsea Piers, Madison Square Park, and Washington Square Park)

    We will dive into suminagashi with step-by-step instruction on the 4 forms of suminagashi to make mesmerizing black and white ink patterns. Participants will capture their favorite patterns with paper and ceramic coasters.

    The cork backings of coasters can be branded with your company logo (please allow an addition week to prepare).

Team building best offsite NYC or virtual event with 28Muses suminagashi Japanese ink marbling art and craft activity

About 28Muses

  • Natalie Stopka, Sumingashi cultivator, is a New York based artist focused on creative processes rooted in the materials and forces of the natural world. Her pursuit of historical surface patterning techniques includes natural dyeing, pigment extraction, marbling, and printmaking. These meticulous, layered processes incorporate materials grown in her studio dye garden.

    Alyssa Gundred, Event host, is the Cofounder & CEO of 28Muses. Previously she was a Creative Director and Head of Ops and HR for Myriad360 where she grew the company from a small business to over 150 employees and $100mm in revenues.

  • The mission of 28Muses is to cultivate creative power through wonder and play to build the 4 pillars of highly performing teams: culture, DE&I, innovation, and wellness.

    The secrete sauce to every 28Muses event is unique human expression contained in a safe space where everyone feels seen and heard.

    By design, everyone’s work will turn out different allowing each person’s unique lens and personality to shine through.

    When team members share how they see and interpret things differently and how they approached the task at hand, it results in true empathy and an authentic lasting connection.

Add a touch of wonder to your next NYC or virtual event

Suminagashi is perfect for team building, large groups, holiday parties, celebrations, offsites, retreats, and gifting experiences.

Choose 3 complementary activities for a retreat or quarterly plan