Nature's Palette, A Natural Dye Adventure!

In this class, we will explore the history and practices of natural dyes that emerge from organic material around us. Under the oaks, we will experience the colors of our local environment from 2-3 dye pots made from native California species. Students will learn about different kinds of fibers and where they come from. We will dye 21" x 21" 100% cotton bandanas. With these bandanas, students will learn various folding and clamping techniques based on Japanese Shibori methods to create their own resist design. They will leave with their bandana creations and a native dye species coloring page illustrated by yours truly! - Carly Lake

Date: April 12 

Location: Glendora 

Time: 11:30am-3pm 

Age: 5+

Cost: $89 per artist

During the workshop, participants will delve into:

• The history and significance of natural dyes globally and within our local landscape.
• Preparation of fibers for dye absorption, including an overview of mordanting techniques (demonstrated with pre-mordanted bandanas).
• Exploration of local California native dye species.
• Creation of unique designs using shibori techniques, employing rubber bands and clips.
• Hands-on dyeing of a cotton bandana with the available natural dye colors.

What is Shibori? An ancient Japanese textile art form, Shibori embodies both craftsmanship and creative expression. Rooted in centuries of tradition, Shibori is more than just a technique; it is a philosophy that embraces the beauty of imperfection and the harmony between nature and human touch.

WHO IS CARLY LAKE?

Carly Lake’s first love is drawing. She creates vibrant watercolor and digital illustrations for books and print that are whimsical, surreal, and nature-centric. Her debut picture book, Waa’aka The Bird Who Fell in Love With the Sun (Heyday Books), follows the origin story of how the sun got up into the sky, by Tongva author and artist, Cindi Alvitre. Carly enjoys working in spaces where her passion for storytelling is nurtured, including storyboarding, editorial illustration, public art, and art education.

Her practice with natural dyes began in 2016 and has since been at the core of her fiber artwork. The colors in her woven and quilted textiles are the expression of dyes from her local landscape of the Los Angeles basin. She also explores traditional dyes from across the globe, seeing both unique beauty and universality in these ethnobotanical histories. Through her natural dye classes, Carly aims to share the ecological relationships that shape our environment and contemplate these connections with others.

She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration and minor in Native American Cultures from California State University at Long Beach. Carly currently lives near the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California.

We have a few spots remaining!

Schedule

11:30am-12:30pm: Plant walk & Activities with Suzy

12:30pm Lunch & Play/Explore (pack your healthy lunch!)

1pm-3pm Dye with California Native plants with Carly

Parents are welcome to either stay and assist their child, purchase a ticket to experience natural dye themselves,  or drop-off for the day. Suitable for ages 5 and above, this class offers a captivating blend of nature, creativity, and education. 

Limited spots available, so secure yours today! 

Notes:

-Charter funds accepted. Checkout using "manual checkout" as the payment option, and reach out to your charter school for a purchase order. All charter certificates must be received by April 5th.

-No refunds available.

-Class could be rescheduled if it is raining