AiR – Stitch, Gather, Knot and Dye: Indigo and Shibori
AiR – Stitch, Gather, Knot and Dye: Indigo and Shibori
Sunday, June 22, 2025, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Registration ends June 22nd, 2025
Explore the fundamentals of indigo dyeing and discover the beauty of Shibori, a Japanese tie-dye method with Artist in Residence Arlene Westen. Learn the essential techniques of binding, folding, stitching, and clamping to create stunning patterns and textures on fabric. Gain confidence in dyeing your own creations with Indigo and discover the joy of transforming plain fabrics into precious textiles. Materials provided.
Ever since she can remember, Arlene Westen has been drawn to the colour blue. This fascination has led her to explore the realms of indigo and cyanotypes through surface-designed textiles.
Indigo, with its rich history and cultural resonance, offers a profound metaphor for change and renewal. The alchemical process of dyeing with indigo—where the fabric emerges greenish-yellow and transforms to a deep blue upon exposure to air—symbolizes metamorphosis and rebirth. Cyanotype, with its enchanting simplicity and serendipitous outcomes, complement the exploration of blue. By placing objects or drawings on light-sensitive surfaces and exposing them to sunlight, she will create ethereal blueprints that capture the essence of light, shadow, permanence, and impermanence.
During her residency, Westen will focus on traditional techniques such as hand-stitching on resist-dyed and cyan-printed textiles. She looks to create intricate patterns and textures that resonate historical significance, while incorporating contemporary design elements influenced by the natural world and the rhythms of nature.
Come to her Open House in the Atrium on Thursday, June 26 from 5 pm – 7 pm to see what she's created during her stay at Casa!
Ages:16+
Date:June 22nd, 2025
Time:10:00 am
Fee:$25.00
Casa Program Guide
The Casa Program Guide is produced three times a year; Winter, Spring/Summer and Fall. Inside the guide find listings for the upcoming class and workshop schedule, upcoming exhibitions at The Gallery, information about artists in residence and seasonal events in the building. Program guides are free. Pick-up guides at Casa or at facilities throughout the city.