For artists that use natural materials, each season brings new opportunities for foraging materials and finding inspiration from the plants right in our own backyards, fields and woods. Join Maeve Kane, local natural dyeing expert, for a hands-on session that explores using leaves and flowers to create lasting natural imprints on fabric and paper. We’ll capture the last of the summer blooms and the first fall color on a cozy silk wrap that makes a great addition to any fall or winter wardrobe.

For this class, you’ll create a unique print of locally foraged leaves and flowers on a 15” x 72” silk scarf and produce two monoprints on art paper (great for wrapping small gifts or incorporating into other projects). We’ll print with local seasonal plants like goldenrod, Joe Pye weed, Queen Anne’s lace, maple, oak, walnut, sumac, rose, and raspberry.

During this 3-hour workshop you’ll learn how to collect and dry local plants, how to prepare fabric and paper for printing, and what local plants work best for vivid prints. All materials will be provided and no prior experience is needed.

When: Saturday, September 21

9:00am - 12:00pm

Where: Main Street Studio

786 Charlton Road, Charlton 12019

Workshop Costs: $90- for non-members, $81- for members (use member code at checkout!)

Cost includes: $40- for materials (15"x72" pre-treated silk scarf, art paper, lots of fresh and dried leaves for creating with!)

About Maeve Maeve Kane is a professor of history at UAlbany, where she specializes in the history of clothing and textiles in early New York. Her interest in historic dye techniques and love of gardening have developed over fifteen years of experience with natural dyeing. For Maeve, natural dyeing is a way to slow down and connect with the local landscape and the passing seasons.