Amakakeru Art Studio

Create, Learn, Grow

Discover welcoming art classes and workshops in Greenville SC that make creativity easy and fun.

Sumi-e Painting Workshop Nov. 7
Workshops Coming Soon
A woman in traditional Japanese attire painting a bamboo leaf design with ink on paper, sitting at a wooden table in a room with natural light and outdoor greenery visible through a window.
A small ceramic vase with green leaves, a multi-tiered metal pagoda, and a window overlooking a bright green yard with trees in the background during sunset.

Discover the Beauty of Traditional Japanese Arts

At Amakakeru Art Studio, our mission is to share the beauty, creativity, and joy of traditional Japanese arts with everyone.

Founded from a love of Japanese culture and hands-on creativity, Amakakeru offers welcoming, engaging workshops where participants can explore traditional Japanese art forms in a relaxed and inspiring setting. No previous artistic experience or special talent is required—our workshops are designed for everyone to enjoy the process of creating.

The Studio is located near Sarah Collins Elementary School in Greenville, South Carolina, in a beautiful Japanese-style home surrounded by a lush forest. The peaceful natural setting provides a unique opportunity to connect with the changing seasons while enjoying the simple pleasure of making art.

From seasonal flowers and greenery to the gentle songs of birds in the garden, nature is an important part of the Amakakeru experience. We invite you to slow down, discover something new, and experience the beauty of traditional Japanese arts in a warm and welcoming environment.

Come create, connect, and discover the joy of Japanese art.

A woman with long brown hair wearing a tan coat and black pants sitting on a wooden bench on a covered bridge next to water, with trees showing vibrant fall colors in the background.

About the Instructor

Ayako Abe-Miller

A sculptor and Sumi-e painter, Ayako Abe-Miller was born and raised in northern Japan. Her international experience includes living in Japan, Australia, Singapore, and New York City, before making Greenville, South Carolina, her home for more than 25 years.

She holds a BFA with a concentration in Sculpture from Converse University and an MFA in Sculpture from Clemson University. She also studied English Literature at Toyo University in Tokyo, Japan.

Her sculptures and paintings have been exhibited nationally and internationally. Alongside her studio practice, she is passionate about sharing the beauty, tradition, and craftsmanship of Japanese art with students and the broader community.

She has extensive experience teaching art through workshops and community programs throughout South Carolina and North Carolina, including Greenville Center for Creative Arts (GCCA), Gallery Flat Rock, Tryon School of Arts and Crafts, after-school art programs, and artist residencies at Inman Elementary School and Christ Church School, among others.

Her teaching combines traditional Japanese artistic practices with hands-on exploration, encouraging students of all ages to discover their own creativity while developing an appreciation for Japanese art and culture.

For more information about the instructor, please see her Resume / CV below.

Ayako's Resume / CV
A traditional black and white ink painting of panda bears resting on tree branchs against a large moon in the background.
A woman in a light gray dress and black high heels standing next to large modern metal sculpture, in an indoor setting with glass walls and hallway.
Black and white drawing of a heron holding a fish in its beak, with a splattered background and a red stamp in the bottom right corner.
Close-up of a large metallic sculpture with multiple long, thin rods arranged in a circular pattern, attached to large metal rings.
A detailed black and white drawing of a Crow with its head turned upside down, showing intricate feather details, with faint circle and dot patterns in the background.
Woman standing inside a vibrant, colorful fabric art installation with concentric circles of arranged fabrics, in a modern building with large glass windows, two people at a wooden podium, and a DJ playing music in the background.
A detailed black and white drawing of a crab on the sand, casting a shadow. The crab has textured claws and legs, with a shadowed shell, and is rendered with intricate detail.
Metal sculpture made of interconnected cube frames forming a spiral shape, mounted on a stone pedestal with a blue sky and clouds in the background.
Black and white artwork depicting a crab, a coiled shell, a small fish, and seaweed on sand.
Exterior of a building with colorful art panels on a Public Library, with two children and an adult entering the building.
Traditional black and white Japanese ink painting featuring a small Lamb, a Butterfly, and a large calligraphic character with decorative brush strokes and ink splashes.
A traditional black and white ink painting of a fish on textured paper with red seal stamps.
An art installation featuring hanging geometric shapes made of fabric in pastel colors, suspended in a gallery with wooden floors and white walls.
A black and white ink painting of a penguin surfing on a wave with splashes of water around it, signed with a red seal in the lower left corner.
A black and white ink painting of a frog sitting on a surface, surrounded by flowing lines and circles representing water or bubbles, with a red seal in the bottom right corner.

Ready to Create Something Beautiful Together?

Sign up for a workshop at the top of this page or send us a quick note below and we’ll be happy to answer your questions, schedule a private lesson, create a custom workshop or party, or discuss a commissioned artwork. Whatever you have in mind, we’re here to help bring it to life!

A detailed black and white ink illustration of a penguin leaping out of the water, surrounded by splashes, with a traditional red seal stamp in the bottom left corner.