Indigo Dyeing
Partnership with Duke Arts Create & DuWell
About the Workshop
The focus of this workshop is on learning the fundamentals of how Indigo Dye Vat is made, best practices, materials needed, and demonstrations of creative surface design through the Japanese technique of Itajime Shibori, a shaped-resist technique. Traditionally, in this ancient tie-dye technique, the cloth is sandwiched between two pieces of wood, which are held in place with string or rubber bands.
Participants are encouraged to bring 2-3 items made of natural cellulose fibers (e.g. cotton, linen, or rayon) to dye or upcycle. You will be provided with sample fabrics to experiment with.
The following are supplied by DukeCreate in all Indigo Classes:
- Clamps, resists, rubber bands, gloves and other studio supplies
- Resource list for continuing indigo dyeing beyond the workshop!
About the Instructor
River Takada is a Durham based mixed-media artist and art teacher. River has a small batch production company under the name, RIVTAK, established in 2007, now selling handcrafted products in independently owned shops and online, www.rivtak.com.
Born in Tokyo, Japan and raised in Carrboro, NC, River grew up with an appreciation for the constant change in nature, and the beauty of functional art. River loves to work with kids and adults, empowering folks by sharing the therapeutic and vocational powers of sewing and other creative skills. River is a LGBTQ community advocate who turned her dream of creative and social practice into a passionate career. On most days, you’ll find her in her studio, designing, sewing, screen printing or outside dyeing fabric.
When River is not in the studio, she is teaching fiber arts at community centers around the state. She has taught at The ArtsCenter, The Scrap Exchange, ArtSpace, The NC Museum of Art, Freeman’s Creative, NCSU Craft Center and many small private groups.
About the Location
This workshop will meet in the Duke Arts Annex: get directions.
Address: 404 Gattis St, Durham, NC 27701