The Sober Curious Movement and Art Exhibitions (The Evolution of Craft Elixirs)

In November of 2021, the first Craft Elixirs event took place at a restaurant called Shikinone, which beautifully translates to “four seasons of sound.” This monthly gathering quickly became a welcoming space for both the international and local community here in Okinawa.

From those initial evenings, centered around art, food, zero-alcohol cocktails, and live DJ sets, Craft Elixirs has evolved into something new: curating and hosting larger art exhibitions at various cafes and hotels across the island.

Our menus often dance to a theme, whether it is a nod to the featured artists, the beauty of a particular time of year, or a celebration of Japanese, American, Mexican holidays, Black History Month or LGBTQI+ Pride.

The Murasaki Kawabata Mama has been a popular beer cocktail since the very beginning, adding a unique and refreshing twist on how to use the purple shiso juice (made by my dear friend’s mother Mrs. Kawabata.)

More recently, an exciting new chapter began with the opportunity to join the e-no company as a networking liaison. This collaboration has opened up a world of flavor and wellness, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed incorporating the vibrant e-no oishi turmeric into various new craft mocktail creations and immunity shots.

But the story doesn’t end with our monthly gatherings. The energy and connections forged at those initial events have fueled a natural evolution. We realized the desire for more opportunities to showcase the incredible artistic talent here in Okinawa. And so, Craft Elixirs has expanded its horizons, now taking the spirit of those intimate evenings and translating it into larger art exhibitions hosted in diverse and inspiring locations around the island – from a delectable Yafuso restaurant where the atmosphere loosens up late, to early bird cafes in Yomitan, and even a minimalist hotel nestled in the buzzing market district of Naha.

This evolution from monthly gatherings has naturally led to curating larger art exhibitions across Okinawa. In fact, right now, you can catch our current exhibition at Pine Leaves Café, located across from Torii Station, until May 25th! The exhibition titled “Clouds in the Head” features an array of art, and what’s even more meaningful is that a percentage of the profits from sales by the artist TwinkleTwinkle will be donated to an organization right here in Okinawa that focuses on mental health. As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, this feels particularly important and close to our hearts. It’s a fantastic opportunity to support local artists and contribute to a vital cause while enjoying the art in a relaxed and welcoming setting.