TEXTILE TALK: Natural Dyes & the Natural Dye Garden, presented by Surface Design Association

Why use natural dyes? The winter months are a perfect time to plan next year’s natural dye garden. Please join our guests Catharine Ellis, Kim Eichler Messmer, and Kenya Miles and Rosa Chang of the Baltimore Natural Dye Initiative, as we discuss natural dyes and the natural dye garden, from individual practice to that of an urban community-based garden in Baltimore.
Renowned as a researcher and author, Catharine Ellis will talk about the natural dye plants she has chosen to grow in her garden, why she grows them, and how those plant dyes have inspired her most recent body of woven textile explorations.
Kim Eichler-Messmer is a quilt artist who has been hand-dyeing fabric for nearly 20 years. In 2015 she made the decision to switch from using synthetic dyes to natural dyes and began a journey of learning and discovery, guided by experts in the field such as Catharine Ellis and Michel Garcia. Kim will share her work, how the learning process influences her, and discuss how her work has evolved since making the switch to natural dyes.
Rosa Chang and Kenya Miles will explore the past, present, and future of growing natural dyes in an urban landscape, utilizing cooperative economics, and supporting agricultural and sustainable practices through the lens of the Baltimore Natural Dye Initiative and Blue Light Junction. The Baltimore Natural Dye Initiative is an 18-month multi-agency pilot project focused on creating the area’s first natural dye farm and processing site to support urban farming, economic opportunities, community redevelopment, international relations, and the arts in Baltimore City. Beyond the pilot project, Blue Light Junction is an alternative color lab, natural dye garden & educational facility focusing on growing, processing, and preserving the history of natural dyes and their enhancements and use in everyday objects.
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Textile Talks features weekly presentations and panel discussions from the International Quilt Museum, the Modern Quilt Guild, Quilt Alliance, San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, Studio Art Quilt Associates and Surface Design Association. The programs are held online at 2 p.m. Eastern (11 a.m. Pacific) each Wednesday. More info at www.saqa.com/textiletalks
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Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the art quilt: "a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure."
Founded in 1989 by an initial group of 50 artists, SAQA now has over 3,600 members: artists, teachers, collectors, gallery owners, museum curators, and corporate sponsors. With access to our museum-quality exhibition program, SAQA members challenge the boundaries of art and change perceptions about contemporary fiber art.
As a part of SAQA’s dynamic creative community, members can take their artwork and career to the next level. We offer a wide range of exclusive resources, mentorship programs, and professional opportunities.
In addition, SAQA documents the art quilt movement - our publications include full-color exhibition catalogs, the Art Quilt Quarterly magazine, and our new book, Art Quilts Unfolding: 50 Years of Innovation.

[@margaretmcguirk5270]

Wonderful presentation, inspiring and informative. Thank you from Dublin, Ireland.

[@SAQAArtquilt]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@tanyanuttall2429]

Thank you so much for what was a wonderful presentation, with the different perspectives, on natural dyes. Really enjoyed watching and learning.

[@SAQAArtquilt]

Thank you for this comment, Tanya! So glad that you enjoyed watching this Textile Talk.

[@1aliveandwell]

Tremendously awesome , all you people here for info and inspiration and maybe find others to start locals gardens , fiber, dyes.. A list of plants grown, espec at the Baltimore community garden(S) on a website? Thank you .

[@judysledge8557]

This is a great presentation showing the process from seed to finished product. It all goes together particularly if you’re interested in the science of it all from teaching to making. The other beautiful part is that it touches all textiles that I can think of. Thank you so much for the wonderful panel and information.

[@SAQAArtquilt]

Thanks for your kind words, Judy!

[@wellnessartscafe-creativel6873]

Thank you for this wonderful presentation! I love seeing the resurgence of the dye garden in the city and beyond, and the passionate explorers here!

[@lulumoon9]

Thank you so much - this is such great information for a newer natural dye enthusiast!

[@SAQAArtquilt]

Thanks lulumoon! So glad you found this talk helpful!

[@carynemount949]

Thank you for this inspiring presentation! It was a bit comforting to know other artists sometimes take a step back from their work, trying to sort through things, seeking information, searching for inspiration, and moving into an entirely new mode. Thank you!!

[@SAQAArtquilt]

Thanks Caryne! We love that Textile Talks are allowing artists to make these virtual connections!

[@estieinn7750]

Enjoyed!!!

[@SAQAArtquilt]

Thanks for watching!

[@susanlordimarker4115]

This was so wonderful to watch. Thank you all! Catherine I’m looking at your website and ooohhhhh the rich bleeding colors and lines are so delicious... I’m inspired! And Kim I loved seeing your new work and the exciting geometrics. And the team in Baltimore doing great community work. Thank you all again.

[@SAQAArtquilt]

Thanks for watching Susan! Glad you enjoyed this Textile Talk!

[@1aliveandwell]

Just thought be nice to find a dye plant that also repelled mosquitoes (or flies....) . Any ideas?