New classes and workshops in textile design coming in 2024!
This year, our staff and students have been working behind the scenes to develop new curriculum for workshops and classes in natural dye techniques. We harvested home grown marigolds to kick off our dye explorations during our Student Advisory Council fall retreat, and since then, Miranda has been cultivating other traditional dye plants including madder, indigo, coreopsis, and zinnias. Emily also has extensive experience with making natural inks, including black walnut, avocado skins/pits, iron gall, pokeberry, buckthorn and more.
We love exploring the ways colors can be shifted with modifications to pH and iron additives; it’s a bit magical to watch a dye bath or ink change from beige to black, or purple to chartreuse, or yellow to olive green in a matter of seconds! We embarked on an extensive natural dyes course with Maiwa this winter, which has expanded our palette with the addition of exotic natural dyes including myrobalan, eastern brazilwood, lac, Himalayan rhubarb, cochineal, & logwood.
We’re excited to increase our dying and printing capabilities as we launch new classes and workshops this year for teens and for adults. Stay tuned, and check out our progress in these photos. Many thanks to CultureWorks friends and families who purchased and donated induction hot plates, using the Holland BPW rebate! They’ve greatly increased our studio’s capacity, safety, and sustainability!
