BLACK AUGUST - COMMUNITY INDIGO ACTIVATION
DATE
Sunday, Aug 14 [ 2-4 pm ]
In Honor of Black August, I'll be hosting a free community offering at a natural dye studio in East Williamsburg [Location details below]. This free workshop and community indigo dip, is geared towards Black artist, educators and community organizers. I will be speaking to the history of indigo and historical indigo dyeing techniques. While we will dye items in an organic indigo vat.
WEAVING SKIES PROJECT
My Weaving Skies Project is a multi-pronged art experiment, all about encouraging care, community building and collective sustainability action by creating and holding space for people alongside my community to explore, experiment and connect in-person through sustainable actions. And I believe community is something you have to take offline and gather in person sometimes.
I started this project to help share space with Black folks as natural dye is increasingly becoming a colonized craft. Natural dyeing, and especially Indigo, has such a strong historical connection for Black people across the African diaspora.
THE DETAILS:
What to Bring:
It’s a free offering from myself to the community. Bring stuff to dye. I will have small items for purchase through zelle, venmo, cashapp. But would much prefer if you brought something of your own to recycle or re-use. Feel free to bring small item [s] such as :
T-shirts, Tank Tops, Napkins, Socks, Bandanas, Small tote bags, Slip Dresses, Boxers, Short PJ Set, Pillowcases
The material of the item must be a natural fiber. Natural Dye will only take to natural fibers. This includes cotton, silk, linen, hemp, bamboo. And please be sure to clean item before hand which will create a better dye job. Indigo is great to cover pesky stains.
NOTE:
Natural dyeing is fun but can be messy, so please wear clothing that you would not mind if they get stained.
Gloves will be provided and shared, as indigo dyeing will leave your hands blue for weeks. But if you prefer to bring your own rubber gloves, cool.
Cara Marie Piazza Natural Dye Studio in East Williamsburg www.caramariepiazza.com
Kesiena teaching a natural dye workshop in Bushwick, 2018 www.kesiena.com
THE STUDIO:
Cara Marie Piazza will be sharing her studio with me.
Where: 1013 Grand Street #504 Brooklyn, NY 11211
Please note it is a 5th floor walk up, with no elevator service on the weekends!
When: Sunday August 14th 2-4 pm
Time : Please arrive by 2:00pm for the demos / Since I will be teaching. Please come on time as I can’t let anyone in once I’ve begun.
Light snacks and refreshments will be served.
THE KNITTY GRITTY
It’s important to arrive on time due to the 5th floor walk-up.
The studio is in industrial [meaning real industrial] East Williamsburg. So there is a little walk to the studio. So please plan travel accordingly.
You can even come a little early.
If you arrive after 2:00pm, you may have to wait downstairs for a few minutes, as it’s a 5th floor walk up. And someone will have to walk down to let you in.
The studio building is a little bit of a maze. But it’s a beautiful studio and a perfect space to hold natural dye workshops.
And if you are able and can make the climb, it is worth it!
If you have any questions regarding the workshop or want any clarity about the event feel free to reach out to me directly at kesienastudio@gmail.com
This event is limited simply to due capacity & there is only 1 me. But please feel free to let me know if there is someone in your community or network who you feel you’d like to bring along.
Image from Aboubakar Fofana, Indigo Dyer and Artist, and farmer with indigo farm in Mali
Image from African Textiles Book by John Gillow, showing a Yoruba woman. dyeing with natural indigo.