Native Plant Dyed Silk Scarves w/ Elana Bloom
March 14 @ 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Saturday, March 14th | 9:00am – 12:30 pm | Native Plant Dyed Silk Scarves
Springtime in the Sonoran Desert boasts a bounty of plants with natural pigments harvested for coloring textiles of all kinds. Join local natural dyer and artist Elana Bloom for a special class dyeing silk with native plants found in the Sonoran Desert and the gardens at Tohono Chul. Utilizing the gardens as a classroom, participants will learn about the history and use of regional native plants used for dyeing, and gain insight into the art and science behind coloring textiles with plants. Working with hand-foraged plants and naturally-reduced indigo, each person will create two vibrant silk pieces, for display or wear. The resulting colors and patterns will depend on the dyes and plants chosen and the creative ideas of each participant. Materials will be provided!
About The Artist:
Elana Bloom is an artist and natural dyer who runs a small Tucson-based natural dye studio and fine art practice. A forager, she enjoys ethically gathering natural resources to make her own dyes and art supplies and regularly dyes collections of vibrant silk scarves. Bloom began her natural dye practice in 2019 and has enjoyed teaching the art and science of dyeing to both public and private audiences for five years.
We Will Explore:
- The history and potential of plants native to the Sonoran Desert for natural dyeing.
- The convergence of art and science in regards to coloring textiles with plants.
- Base dyes that develop undertone colors on silk.
- Post-dyes that develop overtone colors on silk.
- How to spread, wrap, tie, and bundle plants to create even and consistent patterns.
- A gentle introduction to creating chemical reactions between plants to create patterns.
- An introduction to working with indigo build blue, green, and violet hues.
We Will Work With:
- Pre-mordanted lightweight silk
- Plants native to Southern Arizona
- Naturally-reduced indigo
Participants Will Take Home:
- Two long silk scarves
What To Bring:
Please be sure to wear comfortable shoes and sun protection as we will be working outside in the gardens! Sunscreen, hat, and/or long-sleeved loose-fitting clothing as well as plenty of water.
Where to meet:
We will meet in the Education Center Classroom located at 7211 N Northern Ave, Tucson, AZ 85704