From Craft Table to Culinary Table: An Experience Blending Art and Appetite
What happens when creativity spills off the canvas and onto the plate? A one-of-a-kind HeART Gallery event is answering that question—fusing the tactile charm of a craft project with the sensory delight of a pop-up chef-style restaurant.
Dubbed “Craft and Crave”, guests are invited into a multi-sensory world where hands-on artistry meets high-concept cuisine. Participants begin by engaging in a themed craft activity—perhaps hand-painting ceramic appetizer plates, creating nature-inspired watercolor art pieces, painting desserts with chocolates, fruits and glazes, or dyeing fabric napkins.
Once the art is made, it’s time to eat. Our guest chefs are familiar with the pop-up-style dining experience. Some dishes will be made on-site as guests learn tips in assembling a summer menu item.. Reservations are limited to 18 for a more personal experience.
“Art and food have always gone hand in hand,” says HeART Gallery Director Kate Philabaum, who dreamed up the concept while hospitalized with a severe elbow injury. “We wanted to create a night where people could connect—not just with beautiful food, but with their own creativity.”
Each event is centered around a theme, such as “Earth & Flame.” Guests will create natural-dyed fabric napkins using plant pigments, followed by a meal with some components cooked over an open flame. At each event, chefs will explain the origins of each dish and how it connects to the aesthetic of the craftwork. The July theme “Petals and Palates”, will ask guests to explore the delicate beauty of watercolor floral painting and savor a botanical-inspired menu. “Sea and Salt” is the August theme, where guests will sculpt small sea-inspired vessels before enjoying a seafood-forward tasting menu.
The evening encourages slowing down, talking, and appreciating the art of making—from clay to cuisine. Attendees leave with recipes, a piece of art they created, and a renewed appreciation for the creative process. The event will be held at HeART Gallery, located in St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 428 N. Erie Street, Toledo. Reservations can be made to kate@stpaulstoledo.org. Cost is $40 per person.
