Inspired by stories past and present this new show debuts selected artists that are imaginatively challenged to create a Modern Tea Party.  Beyond the simple tea pot, although some may create just that, the idea of a tea party evokes the entire history of tea and its place in history.   The oldest of soothing drinks, tea comes from ancient Asian treasure of teas created as drink and culture developed in China in 2737 B.C., when Chinese Emperor She Nung accidentally discovered dried leaves blown into his cup of water.  Little did he imagine that this beverage would cause sensations around the world.  The Japanese embraced tea after a Buddhist priest, residing in China, brought tea across the water from China.  The Japanese elevated tea to an art form through the intricate Japanese Tea Ceremony.  Explorers traveling throughout Europe, furthered man's trans-cultural jump.  The East India Tea company introduced tea to Holland. Later in 1650 Peter Stuyvesant brought tea to the American colonists.  England, known for lovely ornate tea gardens, still lavish as entertainment centers where ladies and gentlemen drink tea and converse about the days pleasantries or politics. All selected artists for the exhibition are given the liberty of illustrating this venerable drink, bringing in view all the glory of canvas, papier mâché, glass, metal, ceramic, and stone. Could they be perchance inspired the tea interpretations of American Impressionist, Mary Cassatt, Matisse, French Impressionist, Abstract Expressionist, Jackson Pollack or Alice in Wonderland, Mad Hatter's Tea Party? The gallery introduces new artists in clay, metal and glass Stephan J. Cox's (Wisconsin) fascination of the enchanting and inventive glass forms.  Eva Kwong and Kirk Mangus (Kent State Ohio) with ceramic shapes uniquely carved and glazed at a highly mature level.  Billie Jean Theide (Illinois) introduces electroformed bronze screen, non-utilitarian tea pots.   Engaging and elegant trompe l'oeil masterpieces by Ah Leon (Taiwan, China) present a glimpse of his innovative wood-like tea pots. Gallery artists include Rimas VisGirda's contemporary tea vessels (Illinois); Thomas Orr, (Portland) directing his attention to Tea Houses; Tom Rippon's narrative surprises of porcelain luster  (Montana);  Jim Budde (Idaho) displays the comic edge with his Doggie Tea Pots; Paul Stein's (Mendecino) beautiful porcelain forms; Melody Evans (Sacramento) award winning tea party interpretations; Maru Hoeber (Berkeley) offers delightful surprises in clay; Claire Hurni (Sacramento) carves unique woods for this occasion, and Gabriel Paolieri (Elk Grove) unfolds his amusing but refined papier mâché forms; a fresh look at Phill Evans (Sacramento) with steel, glass, and stone; Maija Peeples (Sacramento) presents a whimsical new tea tableaux; Gary Dinnen and Jeff Nebeker, (Sacramento) both visually expressionistic in clay, will collaborate again with new interpretations about a tea party. Among the painters selected to give their personal take on a tea party are: Jessica Dunne, (San Francisco) Monique Passicot, (San Francisco) and Gary Pruner (Rio Linda).  All painters fulfill that special niche of commentary and novel ideas.