This was not how the story played out for Studio Table’s co-founders Heather and Michelle. After meeting each other in their San Francisco apartment building, they became “fast friends” and began to discuss the community (and the lack-thereof) that they were experiencing. This was the birth of Studio Table: an innovative dining experience that meshes art, food, and community.
I first found this collective of creatives through one of the co-founders, Heather Day. An abstract painter by day, Heather creates gorgeous pieces that combine color and movement in a way that draws the viewer in instantly. While she has pages and pages of credentials and gallery showings, I prefer her fun instagram that shows both her process and finished pieces. It doesn’t take much scrolling to notice her incredible San Francisco art studio with massive windows and the coolest industrial vibe. Anyone who knows anything about the city of San Francisco knows that their real estate is a whole other ballgame. With some of the most expensive prices per square foot, a studio like this is a big deal. Not to mention her stunning works propped up against the wall (and her cute dog too!).
So what about the food or the community, you may ask? That’s where Studio Table comes in. After Michelle and Heather met, they formed this company, or experience rather. When writing a reflection on the birth of ST, they said:
“Studio Table began as a question. If we assembled a group of strangers in a unique setting to share art, food, and conversation, could that experience spark creativity and forge long-lasting community?”
Essentially these women and their team of planners, coordinators, and chefs create an entire dining experience in Heather’s gorgeous art studio. With the supplies and paintings pushed to the side, they assemble a homey long wooden table filled with greenery and candles right in the middle of the chaos. They invite a group of strangers together, who all apply, and serve a fancy meal created by professional chefs.
In a blog post entitled “What We Do”, they say the best part of what they do is having “the chance to watch a group of people begin the evening as strangers and leave as friends.” Using art and food as the icebreaker, the ST team says they bypass small talk and “believe these elements can encourage people to be a little vulnerable in conversation, and ultimately make deeper connections.”
Embodying creative collaboration to a tee, their bio says, “With Heather’s artistic vision, Ben’s culinary prowess, and Michelle’s business and marketing savvy, the three realized their collision exemplified what San Francisco could be when people of different fields are brought together.” In measuring personality, we have discussed the importance of being open to experience and its role in measuring one’s creativity. Each of these collaborators were open to experience a new form of community in a way they felt was lacking in their own lives. While their individual personalities were certainly creative in their own respect, they wanted to combine their fields in a way that would be meaningful and new. They saw a need in San Francisco and decided to address it with something creative. In the same sense, those who attend the ST events share the same sense of openness. ST recognizes that it is not easy to share a meal with a group of complete strangers under the assumption of creating a community. Everyone involved is open to cultivating something new, different, and exciting.
While this collective of creatives certainly formed on a whim, they have in turn created space for a new community to form over artistic food and intentional conversation that could be on its way to becoming a San Francisco staple!
https://heatherday.com/
https://www.studiotable.com/
https://www.instagram.com/heatherday/
https://www.instagram.com/studiotable/
--Grace Hall
--Grace Hall
This is such a cute and interesting idea! The act of meeting anyone blindly has always been for me--and, I presume, a lot of people--a terrifying endeavor. But bringing people together for the specific purpose of fostering community and creativity certainly takes away the fear of having to guess strangers' intentions. The food and art also prevent awkward silences! I would definitely be down to try Studio Table.
ReplyDeleteWhat is really interesting to me is the role that the participants play in the creative product itself. Unlike other instances of creativity where the product isn't necessarily influenced by those receiving it, the strangers are fundamentally apart of the creativity. As you said, Studio Table meshes art, food, and community, and you wouldn't have community without the people experiencing it. Furthermore, whether or not the creative project is successful is dependent on the strangers leaving with friends.
What is also cool is the fact that this is an example of taking previously established aspects of creativity and putting them together in new ways. Multidisciplinary interaction always provides such unique creativity. This is definitely going on my bucket list!!
Grace, thank you so much for sharing this! I've observed a lot of ideas similar to this one where creators make spaces to bring strangers together in attempts to form community. I liked this one in particular since it incorporated the concept of breaking bread, one of the most intimate and appreciative ways of forming a bond. I loved how Heather showcased her creative endeavors into a space where strangers can mingle. In a way, she strategically commissions her artwork to new buyers/audiences at all times.
ReplyDeleteThese kind of projects are always special because they involve the participants in the creative process. This draws participants back to the experience and entices them to share with friends. Studio Table reminded me of my own personal experience at Pinot’s Pallet, a “wine and paint” studio in my hometown. Similar to this, the experience involves bringing your friends or coming alone to an art studio. You learn to paint a painting from an instructor while drinking wine. The limited capacity is what makes these spaces so genuine and allow for individuals to connect with others on shared interests.
I look forward to the day we can connect with strangers like this again. Meeting with strangers, even for a short time leads to a lot of wonder on the manner in which we navigate our lives. sharing food, conversations and smiles without fear. But until then, we shall mingle via Zoom calls, 6 feet apart, smiling with our eyes behind our masks.
This is absolutely one of the coolest things I've seen in a while — thanks so much for sharing! What I love is just how much creative energy is involved. Bringing in a community of artists, placing them in a space already teeming with creative energy from Day's work, then serving them a meal from a professional chef who has no doubt taken some creative liberties of their own — that sounds like a night that's very pleasing to the mind and senses.
ReplyDeleteTaking into consideration our discussion on motivation, I love how Studio Table is so intrinsically motivated. While there may be some extrinsic value involved, their main priority is simply bringing people together in a new way and supporting each other in a creative community.
Sign me up!!
I think this is such an interesting concept. I have heard of something like this for people traveling alone in which through a company they will form groups and go out to eat or do an activity together. I think this is a great way to meet others who are also interested in building community and making connections. I think it's really interesting that they incorporate multiple genres to increase the amount of connections able to be made. I think this also lends itself to a wide spectrum of personalities. For example, someone who is extroverted might not have difficulty starting conversation, but someone who is introverted might benefit from having an activity such as painting to help start conversation as well as build a connection without having to talk for the entire period of time.
ReplyDelete