Tag Archives: Cultural Arts of Waco

News from Art on Elm

Kay Bell: The Face Behind Elm Tea Fest

In 2001, Kay Bell was diagnosed with cancer. Rather than wanting to subject herself to harmful medication, she turned to teas and herbs. During chemotherapy, she began researching peppermint and discovered the incredible health benefits. What started as a fun project soon grew into a hobby and her passion.

“Now, no one in my family takes any medication; Only tea and herbs,” said Bell.

Bell began growing peppermint, and soon had a surplus. She decided to package it and sell it, which led to the creation of her business. Bell started “Cadae Tea” in 2010 in Waco, Texas with just one farming lot and a table at the local farmer’s market.  Now, she has several lots where she farms her tea and has extended her business to several farmer’s markets, a local health store and most recently a tea festival. 

Bell approached Doreen Ravenscroft, founder and president of Cultural Arts of Waco, with the idea to add a tea festival to Art on Elm. Thus, Elm Tea Fest was born. 

“Kay is enthusiastic about the neighborhood and how to keep it healthy and bring more awareness,” said Ravenscroft. “It’s her passion for tea.”

The first Elm Tea Fest took place on April 7, 2018. Unfortunately, the weather was bleak throughout the day, but that did not stop people from coming to support Art on Elm.

“On such a cold day, it became such a pleasing moment that people came out regardless to support us,” said Ravenscroft.

Photo courtesy of Lone Star Houston Tea Festival Facebook page.

Bell’s favorite part of the event was the afternoon high tea. People got to participate in a traditional afternoon tea, complete with scones and clotted cream, while listening to Amanda Vermillion from The Tea Mistress speak.

Both Bell and Ravenscroft were pleased with the outcome of the Elm Tea Fest and how it further advanced Art on Elm’s mission. “The community came together to participate in the afternoon tea,” said Ravenscroft. “A community member gave the clotted cream and Lula Janes gave the scones. That’s what Art on Elm is supposed to personify, that the neighborhood owns it and takes part.”

Though the first Elm Tea Fest was a small event, it was a building block and a step in the right direction. Bell has big visions for Elm Tea Fest, hoping to add more vendors and speakers in the future.

“Tea fascinates me,” said Bell, who looks forward to continuing to sharing her passion for tea and herbs with others through Elm Tea Fest.

News from Art on Elm

Elm Tea Fest Speakers: Kay Bell and Amanda Vermillion  

WACO – Cultural Arts of Waco announces the vendor and speaker line up for Art on Elm’s tea festival. Amanda Vermillion and Kay Bell will be featured at Elm Tea Fest on April 7.

Event features include tea vendors, tea tastings, guest speakers, a tea market and a ticketed traditional afternoon tea. The tea market will showcase tea merchants from the Waco area and beyond and feature vendors from across the state and country.

Amanda Vermillion and her company The Tea Mistress from Houston, Texas have been invited to speak at Elm Tea Fest. Vermillion’s lifelong passion and interest in tea led her to start her own company in 2013. She is the Director of Lone Star Houston Tea Festival.

Kay Bell, the founder and owner of Cadae Tea in Waco, Texas, will also speak at Elm Tea Fest. She began her company as a single table at a farmer’s market in 2010. Her products are now carried in various stores. Bell is passionate about tea, and has been a featured speaker at the Houston Tea Festival.

The vendors and speakers will help fulfill the mission to promote and expand the knowledge of tea and its culture. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of tea, while tasting various types.

Event features include tea vendors, tea tastings, guest speakers, a tea market and a ticketed traditional afternoon tea. The tea market will showcase tea merchants from the Waco area and beyond and feature vendors from across the state and country.

Contact Doreen@wacoartsfest.org or visit artonlem.org/elm-tea-fest/ for more information.

News from Art on Elm

Elm Tea Fest: New Addition to Art on Elm

WACO – Cultural Arts of Waco is presenting a new addition to this year’s Art on Elm fest. Elm Tea Fest will be on April 7 during the art festival, located at 418 Elm Ave. and spreads throughout the historic Waco district.

Event features include tea vendors, tea tastings, guest speakers, a tea market and a ticketed traditional afternoon tea.

The tea market will showcase tea merchants from the Waco area and beyond and feature vendors from across the state and country.

The cost to register as a speaker is $50, or $75 to register as a tea vendor. If you are interested in becoming a tea vendor, fill out the application on our website. Visit artonelm.org/tea-vendors/ for more information.

Traditional afternoon tea and refreshments will be served at Afternoon Tea. This portion of the event will be from 2 – 4 p.m. on April 7 in the green space located off of Tyler St. and Dallas St. Tickets have not been released yet, but they will be available for purchase soon at artonelm.org/afternoon-tea/.

Elm Tea Fest aims to promote and expand the knowledge of tea and its culture. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of tea, while tasting various types.

Contact Doreen@wacoartsfest.org or visit artonlem.org/elm-tea-fest/ for more information.