MA-CHA MANTRA: Tea. Art. Friends. Life.

First, a brief history. Hue Art Gallery had been one of the most active art galleries in Madison when it arrived on the scene in 2004, hosting new exhibits by local and regional artists each month. Under the direction of Rachel Fox and Erin Murray, Hue was a cooperative experience, with local artists being given the opportunity to both staff and exhibit in the unique space at 1934 Monroe Street.

However, as time went on, it became clear that art sales alone would not sustain the small gallery, so the idea for converting part of the space into a teahouse was born.

Here and now

We are fascinated with the combination of art and tea. Both have deep roots in many cultures around the world, making their appeal truly global. We are intrigued by the various ceremonies, traditions, and rituals in which tea is prepared and consumed, and the concept of tea is one which has clearly defined our "mantra" and philosophy.

So who are we? We are mostly the same people, but the biggest change is the addition of Anthony Verbrick, our Teahouse Manager. You'll still see many of the same faces during our art openings, and we also have plenty of great art and jewelry by the talented local artists who were so involved at Hue.

And what about our new name? Well, "ma-cha" derives from "matcha", a prized Japanese powdered green tea. Often prepared as part of the Japanese tea ceremony called chanoyu, matcha requires specific utensils to create the unique, frothy green tea. Stop in to the teahouse and we'll show you how it's done!