CLOUD AMSTERDAM; A COZY HUB FOR ART, WELLNESS, AND NATURE LOVERS
words by MARIE-PAULINE CESARI
There’s no place in Amsterdam quite like Cloud. It’s more than a café or a gallery; it’s a heartwarming spot that feels a little like home, with a dash of magic woven in. Maybe it’s because two of my best friends are part of it—Valentine, also known as TinaGems, makes unforgettable lattes, and Angie leads yoga classes there every week-ends. But it’s also the two founders, Jan and Ellie, who bring so much to this place. They’re not just dedicated; they’re inspiring in their commitment to creativity and community, and I really look up to them.
The setup at Cloud invites connection. The big table in the middle practically encourages you to chat with the person next to you, and before you know it, strangers feel like friends. During ADE, they transformed part of the café into a no-shoes, pillow-filled lounge, where we could relax, sip drinks, and listen to ambient live music. Jan, has a vision that brings all of this to life. When I asked him about the latest exhibition, Fundamental Fungi, he shared: “Did you know how essential mushrooms are to our ecosystem and our lives?” Honestly, I didn’t know much about it before, but his words opened my eyes to a whole new perspective!
The new, ongoing exhibition Fundamental Fungi: Unveiling the Transformative Power of Mushrooms beautifully brings that vision to life, illustrating the profound connections between art, nature, and the unseen networks that sustain us. The exhibition is divided into three parts: the first dives into mushrooms in art and psychedelics, the second covers science and their nutritional benefits, and the last focuses on sustainable design. This is where the new Kinoko shelving system, made from mycelium and oak, comes into play. Inspired by Japanese simplicity, it’s a perfect fit for Cloud—a place where nature and creativity meet seamlessly. These shelves proudly display Essential Glasses, Jan’s own line of premium, genderless and affordable eyewear.
Cloud brings art, community, and nature’s wonders together with events running from October to December, each ones spotlighting a new theme around the mycelial world: art and music in October, science and health in November, and sustainability in December.
Next Events:
November 8: Enjoy the film Descending the Mountain, followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Maartje Nevejan, diving into the connections between mushrooms and meditation.
November 9: Begin your Saturday mornings with Yoga & Matcha at 9:30 AM, guided by Angèle Dubois. After the 60-minute intimate yoga class, enjoy a complimentary matcha latte and connect with others in Cloud’s cozy café. Every Saturdays at Cloud.
On the same day, for nature lovers, the Dosed Mushroom Walk starts at noon with a friendly psilocybin treat at Cloud. Experts Matthijs & Sam lead a guided mushroom walk through Vondelpark, covering basics of mushroom foraging and identification.
To read more about Cloud and its upcoming events, explore the following link HERE.
