Online Indigo Dyeing Demo
We invite you to the fascinating world of dyeing with natural Indigo! Although it is not a traditional colour, it is certainly very interesting!
Join Rita Kompst, Musqueam Artist and Zoe McDonell, Natural Dye Expert, for an Indigo dye workshop where we will briefly discuss the history of Indigo while dyeing! Each participant can pick up their dye sample card after the workshop.
We will explore the incredible history of Indigo while participants learn how to set up an indigo vat, as well as techniques on dyeing their own animal and plant fibers. Learn how you can zero in on the perfect shade of blue and how indigo can be used for many more colours.
Date: Saturday, February 5, 2022
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (PT)
Platform: Zoom (Information about how to connect will be sent to participants prior to the event through Eventbrite)
Tickets: $25 for non-members, $20 for MOV members, $15 Indigenous Peoples*
*Please call 604-736-4431 during MOV business hours to obtain a discount code if you are an MOV Member or Indigenous. A service fee and GST is also applied to ticket sales. Please note that this price point is based on covering the artist’s fee and materials.
Please note: This class will be held virtually on Zoom. You will receive a link after you register. If you are new to Zoom, find out more here. Participants are invited to build on the demonstration by picking up their own indigo kit. This can be purchased as a Natural Indigo Thiox Kit from Maiwa - located on Granville Island at 1663 Duranleau St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S3. Kits are reserved for the MOV demo and can be purchased online or in person prior to the online demo for $35.00.*
*Kits at the Granville Island location are limited but available for pre-purchase online. Kits can be shipped to either the Granville location for pick up or directly to you.
If you are having trouble using the embedded form above, please try to purchase your ticket directly on Eventbrite here.
For general inquiries regarding this workshop please contact Indigenous Programs and Community Engagement Coordinator, Jasmine Wilson here.
Indigo Dye Samples
Demonstration Facilitators
Rita Kompst, Local Artist, Musqeaum
Rita was born and raised in Musqueam. Her late father, Joseph Becker (Point), was a former Chief of Musqueam. He was also a self-taught artist who was well known for his wood carving and Salish designs. Her late mother, Evelyn Norris (Campbell) was also from Musqueam but lived on Vancouver Island. She is the eldest child and had 5 sisters and 5 brothers.
“I had never considered myself to have any artistic abilities at all but while delving back in my culture and heritage, I discovered a passion for cedar weaving and knitting. I currently work full-time as an executive assistant and now that my children are grown, spend my free time being creative! I met Zoe at a dye workshop in Musqueam and felt an instant connection to her and the work of dyeing mushrooms and other products. It is an honour to study and teach the art of dyeing with mushrooms and locally foraged products!”
Zoe McDonell , Wildlife Ecologist & Mushroom Dyer
Zoe is a Vancouver artist of settler-descent who specializes in dyeing using the plants, windfall lichens and mushrooms from our forests. She has been teaching workshops, lectures and demonstrations on historical natural dye techniques and other fiber arts for almost 20 years.
When not dyeing, Zoe is an ecologist and studies how forest communities can be more effectively managed for conservation. She lives with her husband and children on the Musqueam Reserve.
“I first met Rita at a mushroom dye workshop and knew we were destined to have some great collaborations together. I am very excited to partner with Rita to teach this workshop.”
Watch
Join wildlife ecologist and mushroom dyer Zoe McDonell as she delves into the process of creating beautiful dye pigments from mushrooms found in local forests. Discover how to ethically harvest mushrooms, steps of the dyeing process, and, most importantly, where you can learn how to safely forage mushrooms.
