Café Terra to offer coffee, tea and creative activity

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By Bruce Edwards Herald Staff

04.06.08

Rutland - Jen Hogan is taking her artistic talents in a new direction.

In another month or so, coffee and tea lovers can drop in at Café Terra and sip their favorite brewed beverage while painting a coffee mug or other pieces of ceramic pottery.

The coffee shop at 67 Center St., is an extension of the adjacent Hands-On Minds-On, the children’s art studio that Hogan started three years ago.

Located in the former Teacher’s Closet, Hogan calls her new venture an artistic café with a coffee bar and tables that seat 40. The wood-framed glass case will contain ceramic pieces that can be purchased and then painted while enjoying a cup of coffee, espresso, latte or tea.

But for those not inclined to test their artistic talents, Hogan said everyone is welcome to drop in.

“You don’t have to paint,” said Hogan, a licensed art instructor. “You can come in for a coffee and croissant.”

Café Terra will feature coffee blends from Vermont Coffee Co. as well as locally made pastries and deserts. Hogan, herself a coffee and tea lover, is putting in top of the line coffee machines.

The café, with its embossed tin ceiling, will have a cozy feel to it with soft lighting, paintings and a variety of plants. Along with the tables and chairs, a couch will add a homey touch.

Hogan will move her pottery section to the adjoining café. Customers can select an unfinished mug, cup, vase, or any other piece of pottery. Once painted, the piece is fired in a kiln in the back of the store and is ready to pick up a week later.

In keeping with the café’s artistic theme, she said there will be a paint-your-own-mug club.

Café Terra is an extension of Hogan’s Hands On Minds On (handsonmindson.com) studio, where children age 2 and up paint, draw and work with clay. It’s intended for pre-schoolers and Hogan said “for kids who absolutely adore art.”

Café Terra will be open six days a week. The exact hours haven’t been determined. But Hogan said she likely open at 8 a.m. and close at 3 or 4 p.m. with evening hours two days a week.

Contact Bruce Edwards at bruce.edwards@rutlandherald.com.