Students practiced traditional handbuilding techniques and explored Japanese calligraphy, learning to write the kanji for “peace” using sumi ink.

From the City Schools’ Winning Wednesday e-Newsletter, March 11, 2026:

At Japan Night in Washington, D.C., Governor Wes Moore’s Office presented Ambassador Shigeo Yamada with a handcrafted ceramic tea bowl (chawan) created by Baltimore Design School student Fiona Parish. The gift highlighted the creativity and global awareness of City Schools students. Inspired by the project, students also created a second chawan that was presented to Governor Moore.

The pieces were created in an after-school middle school ceramics club led by art teacher Stefanie Cafaro. As part of the project, students practiced traditional handbuilding techniques and explored Japanese calligraphy, learning to write the kanji for “peace” using sumi ink. Some pieces from the class will be on display during the upcoming FYI!…For Your Inspiration exhibit at the BMA.

The presentation reflects ongoing efforts to connect students with international arts and cultural opportunities. City Schools’ Fine Arts office is currently awaiting a grant decision from the U.S. Japan Foundation that could expand cultural and artistic exchanges with Japan. This work also led the Governor’s Office to collaborate with City Schools’ design school programming, highlighting the impact of the program.