44 Cafe Review
FOOD & DRINKS
Café Tone and Its Healing Power
▲ Paintings on display at Drawing Cafe Tone.
Reviewed by Cami Ismanova
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
November 2020
T
his prolonged pandemic has the potential to turn corona blues into corona reds as depression and anxiety increase and take the shape of anger. Normally, we would spend an evening at the bar with friends, go to see that new movie, or hit the road for the rest of the weekend, releasing tension and preventing us from the accumulation of negative emotions. Now, our new normal has impacted the ways we relieve our stress, yet it also helps us to (re)discover activities that we would not usually consider. Among current stress-relieving activities are drawing cafes. Drawing is a proven way to enhance concentration and motor skills, release depression and stress, maintain a sharp memory, and even improve self-esteem. Now, why should you go to a drawing cafe when you could do that at home? Well, there are several reasons I considered before going. First of all, art is not the cheapest hobby. Unless all you need is a sheet of paper, a pen, and an eraser, art supplies are often costly and tend to run out quickly. If you do not draw or paint regularly, it is not financially wise to buy supplies. Here is where drawing cafes come in: All art supplies are provided for an affordable price. Second, meeting like-minded people in drawing cafes might expand your social circle. It is always fun to spend time with someone who likes the same things as you. Third, going to cafes is getting a little boring these days
2020�11��(November).indd 44
because, well, the interior changes, but the taste does not. I mean, it is often a cup of bad coffee for 2,000 won or a cup of bad coffee for 4,000 won. Having something to do inside besides casual talking and complaining about work is refreshing. Art is healing, even if you draw or paint like a five-year-old. It also feels like attending an art class with a free topic. No limitations. A variety of choices. A beneficial outcome. Now, I would like to present a drawing cafe called Tone. It is a little obvious, but hey, got to stick to the theme here. Café Tone is located at the back gate of Chonnam National University on the third floor of the building it is located in. It has a large space with around fifteen or more seats with wooden easels, fine brushes, acrylics, oils, gouache paints and, of course, paper of various sizes. There are stands for still-life compositions that you can arrange, and there is a regular coffee menu for you to choose from as well. I would like to highlight that drawing or painting is the main focus of the visit. It might feel a little awkward to stop by there just for a cup of coffee. Plus, it is not furnished in a “sit and talk” manner. Let us have a look at the menu: The starting price for a hot cup of Americano is 4,000 won. There is a variety of hot and cold coffee options, as well as non-coffee drinks such as ades and tea.
10/28/2020 10:50:04 AM
