Cultivating coffee & art making as a daily practice.
Coffee House & Art Cafe
Vessel is an artist-owned Coffee house and Art cafe located in Downtown Durham.
Our mission is to blend the warmth of a coffee house with the vibrancy of an art studio, cultivating coffee and art-making as a daily practice.
At Vessel, we believe art-making is inherently therapeutic, vital for community care, essential in third spaces, and best enjoyed with killer coffee.
Vessel originated from studying the word "vessel," initially envisioned as an art installation finalizing a BFA from The School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago, in 2020. The installation interpreted the word “vessel” as “anything that contains”. We are vessels, as are words and spaces. The installation combined a writing and visual art practice exploring self and body autonomy, illuminating that there are parallels and proportions between suffering and growth and in between the two are tools and habits we learn along the way to keep ourselves afloat.
This concept evolved into Vesl Studios, a brand that emphasizes limitless self-expression, self-care, and design focused on engagement in play. The brand aims to be a cultural reactant, a landing for limitless minds and collaboration with a multimedia approach. The brand is a response through clothes, objects, art works and design to a world that confines. In addition to pop-ups and dropping wearable and functional item collections, Vesl Studios began hosting events. In late 2023, Vesl Studios partnered with Everlou Coffee, utilizing the 506 N Mangum Street space to curate and showcase local artists work, host film screenings, live music, and community art events.
Two years later, we were presented with the opportunity to merge Vesl Studios with a coffee shop, fostering the Everlou Coffee community's next phase. This collaboration led to the creation of Vessel Coffee House & Art Cafe, now the primary occupant of the 506 N Mangum Street location.
Vessel has taken many forms and we know this won’t be its last iteration.
OUR STORY
Bruklyn Miller & Wongani Jere | ISiLiMELA Network | Videography & Photography
FAQs
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Yes! We are a completely dog friendly shop. We do ask that your dog be well mannered, on a leash at all times and in control by their owner.
Please have discretion regarding the mannerisms of your doggo. You know your dog best. Excessive barking is not allowed, aggressive growling is not allowed, biting is not allowed.
we ask for these rules to be followed in order to keep our community and fur babies safe in addition to ensuring a positive experience for everyone who walks through our doors.
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We have the honor of serving Loyal Oils THC elixir at Vessel.
The elixir is highly concentrated and water- soluble making it the perfect way to infuse any drink on our menu with THC, in 3mg increments.
These elixirs are made with live resin. Live resin is a cannabis concentrate made from freshly frozen cannabis flower, harvested at peak ripeness, and immediately flash-frozen. This process preserves the terpenes and cannabinoids, resulting in a concentrate with a rich flavor profile and high potency. It's a premium option favored for its flavorful and immersive experience.
In our experience with Loyal Oils elixirs we find a 3mg infusion created a mellow yet engaged high that peaked gradually.
like any altering substance we recommend dosing low to start. you can always get a second drink. The effect of any altering substance effects us all differently and we want everyone to enjoy their “buzz”.
if you are a first timer interested in trying a drink infused with THC our staff can offer you guidance and their own expertise.
Read more about loyal Oils via the link below.
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Yes! Currently we offer gluten free granola bars made by Little Barbs bakery and vegan croissants by Bright and Early Bakery
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An art cafe is a space intended for art production, offering a menu of art making experiences and materials needed for creation.
Art making is inherently therapeutic providing a non verbal way to express emotions, process experiences, and build self awareness.
Engaging in creation whether simply choosing colors to color with or creating something on a blank page reduces stress, improves focus and fosters a sense of accomplishment.
We offer rotating coloring pages designed in house or by local artists, (4x6) 140 lb paper and (8.5x11) 140 lb weight paper available for purchase.
With your purchase of “canvas” your given access to all of our community materials which include
- markers
- crayons
- colored pencils
- watercolors
- paint brushes
- collage materials ( sourced from @scrapexchange )
- scissors
- glue sticks
Come create with us!
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We are honored to serve coffee roasted by both Pure Intentions coffee roasters out of Charlotte, NC and Dark Matter coffee roasters out of Chicago, IL.
we serve Pure Intentions Black Hat beans as our espresso. These beans have flavor notes of maple, plum and dark chocolate
we serve Pure Intentions Peru beans as our iced coffee. These beans have flavor notes of harvest spice, dark chocolate and cherries.
we serve Dark Matters DECAFIA beans as our decaf option ( only for espresso ) These beans contain flavor notes of plum and dark chocolate.
we serve Dark matter cold brew cans. Both their “ Brown Acid” can and their “Vanilla suburbs” can.
Brown Acid is a cold brew with added hops resulting in a sharper, earthier flavor profile.
Vanilla suburbs is a cold brew with a very smooth finish and vanilla notes. Note that there is no sugar in the Vanilla Suburbs cold brew can.
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From open to close and for all ticketed or non ticketed events. in other words you are able to infuse any drink on our menu at anytime