From Public Art to Inner Sanctuaries: The Creative Evolution of Tamao Nakayama

NovaLabs
3 hours ago
3 min read

by Tamao Nakayama

My journey with Nova Labs began in 2023. For the first two years, my focus was entirely on scale, structure, and executing large-scale public art commissions. In public art, my joy came from creating works that enrich cities and counties, contributing tangibly to our local communities. My background is deeply rooted in ceramic sculpture. Through years of hands-on experience working across a variety of professional environments—from furniture and interior design studios to architectural and industrial design firms—I honed my design eye and built a deep knowledge of diverse materials, including metal, wood, glass, masonry, and resin.

Yet, as I looked at the vast scale of public installations, I began reflecting deeply on the core meaning of my specialties and how I could best serve the world. For a long time, I had been carrying a heavy heart regarding a quiet crisis: in my home country of Japan, traditional heritage crafts are on a steady path of decline.

In January 2026, my creative focus underwent a profound shift. Moving inward from massive external public installations, I began focusing on a different kind of architecture: the creation of quiet, inner sanctuaries through traditional Japanese arts and crafts. Bringing these heritage techniques to life at Nova Labs has been a profound joy—allowing me to reunite with the practices taught to me by my grandmother, my carpenter neighbors, and master artisans. As a visual artist, reengaging with these roots will allow me to expand the depth and emotional richness of expression in my artworks someday.

Cultivating Community and Wellness

The response from participants since launching these sessions has been incredibly rewarding. In our fast-paced, high-tech world, people are hungry for tactile, mindful experiences that allow them to slow down and reconnect. Participants frequently share that these sessions feel like a peaceful escape. Whether we are exploring the precise choreography of a Matcha tea ritual or the rhythmic, geometric pace of traditional Sashiko stitching, the goal is to experience the meditative, Zen-like qualities of a craft well-practiced.

Currently, I host immersive experiences in: The Art of Matcha Tea, Japanese Calligraphy, Sashiko Embroidery, Linoleum Block Printing, Woodburning, and Kintsugi (coming soon).

Find Tamao's classes and more at Nova Labs.

Featured Events

The Next Chapter: My Brand, Tamao Atelier

Today, I am leveraging my residency at Nova Labs to launch my brand, Tamao Atelier, bridging the gap between ancient heritage crafts and modern life. Tamao Atelier is designed as a multi-faceted cultural sanctuary built on four distinct pillars:

Education: Structuring and scaling my signature heritage workshops to reach broader cultural and educational audiences.
Productization: Curating and manufacturing proprietary, premium 'Beginner Art Kits' that serve as an accessible, high-quality entry point to authentic traditional craftsmanship.
B2B Partnership & Corporate Wellness: Designing and hosting premium, bespoke team-building experiences and mindfulness activations for corporate clients, organizations, and professional retreats.
The Boutique: Establishing a meticulously curated physical and digital gallery space featuring high-quality, handcrafted functional items, artisan products, and specialized creative services.

As Tamao Atelier grows, my ultimate vision is to create a business model that actively supports both traditional artisans in Japan and local craftsmen who utilize Japanese techniques, ensuring these fading traditions thrive in a new cultural context.

Follow the Journey: Building Tamao Atelier

Tamao Atelier is in an exciting startup phase. As a resident maker at Nova Labs, I am building this brand from the ground up, and am currently seeking foundational funding and applying for grants to fuel this next chapter. We are building in public and would love for our community and future partners to be a part of our evolution.

Watch us grow & connect: Follow our journey and explore my portfolio at https://tamaoatelier.carrd.co
Experience the process: To experience these heritage crafts firsthand while I develop my curriculum: https://tamaoatelier.carrd.co/#education

Portfolio & Archive (Past Artworks)

For a deeper look into Tamao’s artistic background, material mastery, and large-scale public art installations created between 2023 and 2025, explore the archives below: