Rad Pass: Natural Dyeing: Eco-Printing with Fall Leaves w/ Kelly Lane

About this event

Create Art from Nature in this beginner-friendly natural-dyeing workshop!

RAD Pass Workshop

Please note: This workshop is being offered exclusively through RAD Pass . To read more about RAD Pass and to register for this workshop, please click on the link above. The program is open to any Allegheny County resident with a library card.

3-Hour Workshop

Date: Saturday, November 7

Time: 10am – 1pm

Description: Join us in the Beth Wainwright Dye Lab at Contemporary Craft for a morning of learning with Kelly Lane, who will guide participants through the process of eco-printing, a method of transferring the shapes and marks of leaves and flowers onto fabric. And, create a uniquely printed, organic cotton napkin!

In this workshop, we will capture the autumnal season by exploring the art of eco-printing, where the natural shapes of leaves and flowers are permanently transferred onto fabric through a process of bundling and steaming. We will cover various eco-printing techniques, focusing on a method that combines tannin-soaked fabric and an iron blanket to create rich, moody greys and the negative shapes of leaves. Tannins and iron are materials used to help the printing process. In the workshop, we will also talk more about these materials and where you might acquire them for future at-home printing.

You can expect to learn how to prepare fabric and use a special technique to achieve clear, crisp prints.

Your one-of-a-kind design will be created on an organic cotton napkin – the perfect accessory to enliven your fall dining table or lunch box, or to give as a gift during the holiday season. At the end of the workshop, you will be given a project packet that includes details about the eco-printing process along with resources for repeating this method at home.

All materials will be provided, but if you would like to bring your own leaves or other plant matter, please feel free to do so. This workshop is open to all skill levels – no prior experience is needed!

Tuition & Materials : All tuition and materials are complimentary thanks to RAD Pass!

Location: Contemporary Craft, Timmons Studios (5688 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201). Note, this workshop will take place in the Fleischner Family Fibers Loft, which is on the second floor of the building.

There are 2 entrances to the Timmons Studios.

• One entrance is facing Butler Street. To access the Fibers Loft from the Butler Street facing entrance, there are a total of 32 stairs to ascend.

• One entrance is facing 57th Street. This entrance is accessible by ramp, with no stairs to ascend. There is a lift inside the building to access the second floor.

If there are accessibility accommodations we can provide, or if there is anything you would like us to know before you arrive, please feel free to call Jamie Boyle at 412-465-1639 or email jboyle@contemporarycraft.org.

Cancellations: Cancellations are decided one business day before the start date. If workshops must be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, you will be notified via email.

About the Artist

Kelly is a natural dye and mixed media artist and educator. Her work is inspired by our innate connection to the natural world and the wellspring of wisdom that surfaces when we slow down and tune in to our surroundings. As an artist, she taps into this connection to create work that is an intermingled reflection of landscapes within and without.

For each project, Kelly thoughtfully forages plants to create botanical palettes that imbue both formal beauty and conceptual depth. In addition to plant-based dyes, she also incorporates sustainable or rescued textiles in her work. With over 15 years of experience as a sustainable clothing designer, Kelly has a deep appreciation for natural fibers and the warmth they radiate.

In addition to her artistic practice, Kelly loves sharing her passion for creating color with plants through teaching natural dye and ink-making workshops.

From Contemporary Craft