Join us in the abundant gardens of Troy Howard Middle School (THMS) for this unique opportunity to make art with nature!
David Wessels, THMS teacher and coordinator of the Troy Howard Middle School Garden Project will give a tour of the dye garden planted and tended by THMS students, and will show us how to harvest plants for dyes.
We will then create dye baths under the guidance of artist and educator Jackie Ottino Graf, of Forage Color. Together, David and Jackie will help us understand the biology and chemistry behind making and using dyes, and will guide us through a time-honored practice of dyeing fabric directly from plants.
After a break for lunch (while letting the dye baths steep), we will get to experiment with dyeing our own patterns on fabric that we can take home and enjoy!
Waterfall Arts is delighted to partner with the Ecology Learning Center in offering this community-based ecology & art workshop. We are grateful for the generosity of the Troy Howard Middle School Garden Project and Forage Color, in making this workshop accessible to as many people as possible.
All supplies and materials are included in the program fee.
All you need to bring is sun protection, a water bottle, lunch and snacks.
We will meet at the gardens, which are on the right side of the school building, when facing the entrance.
Ages 12+
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS:
Jackie is a Maine based natural dyer who travels extensively (usually) offering informative colorful workshops. She enjoys the science of natural dyeing and is always trying new tricks to coax color out of unassuming plants. When she isn’t working she is knitting sweaters from the sidelines of all the sports her 3 kids play.
David Wessels is the Garden Coordinator of the Troy Howard Middle School Garden Project, an experiential hands-on learning program for 6th-8th graders. David’s students manage a 1/3 acre garden of veggies, flowers and heirloom seed crops and run a year-round greenhouse to provide fresh greens through the colder months. Their garden and greenhouse provide a living laboratory for projects in math, life science, art, social studies and language arts.
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Following CDC recommendations and guidelines, Waterfall Arts will no longer require masking, proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID test for patrons, students, or visitors to attend classes, openings or any events at the Waterfall Arts building.