Botanical Prints on Fabrics Workshop

In this eco-printing class, participants will learn to create intricate designs on silk using natural-vegetation pigments. The process is relatively simple: the combination of heat and pressure transfers the dye from leaves to fabric, revealing the outline of the leaves and the patterns of veins.  In this workshop, you will learn how to mordant (pre-treat) fabric, test leaves for their color potential, create a background color, and layer, roll, and steam a fabric bundle. By the end of the workshop, you will have the skills to use this technique confidently in your home studio. This process not only fosters a deep connection to nature and sustainable practices but also provides an opportunity to connect with others in the co-creation process.

Kate Dolk-Ellis is a fiber artist best known for her work with natural dyes, creating elegant art quilts and silk scarves. She specializes in botanical printing (also known as eco-printing, a process that involves contact-printing with dye plants and tree leaves to reveal unique patterns and colors on fabric. “I collaborate with nature to reveal the intricate details of plant life,” she says. Her studio practice is deeply rooted in sustainability and guided by earth-centered principles.

Kate holds both a BFA and MFA in Studio Art from Indiana University Bloomington. She spent 16 years as an instructional consultant at Indiana University before retiring to focus full time on her studio work. She has studied with internationally recognized master dyers and has been teaching natural dye techniques for over a decade.

Artists for Climate Awareness is pleased to offer this workshop as part of its series to help artists learn how to use art as a way to bring social awareness to conservation efforts in your communities.

As such, a portion of the workshop fee will go toward a Contributors membership in Artists for Climate Awareness.

 Each participant will be automatically considered a member of Artists for Climate Awareness at the Contributor’s level (equivalent to $35) for one year. Contributors get workshop and event discounts, news, an opportunity to publish their artwork on our website, and enhanced insider participation.

Workshop Fee: $95 for non-members; $70 for current ACA members
(Not a member? The nonmember workshop fee includes a new annual membership. Already a member? Contact info@artists4earth.org to register.)

In all its events, Artists for Climate Awareness provides thematic environmental education, offering practical ways to get involved locally. As part of this commitment, a representative from a local nonprofit sustainability organization will be giving a short presentation on how their organization contributes to community-driven environmental initiatives.