Mycology Through the Lens of Fiber Arts: Mushroom and Lichen Dye Immersion with Alissa Allen of Mycopigments

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In this two-day intensive, we’ll go through all aspects of making a full spectrum of dyes from wild mushrooms and lichens. We’ll start the day expanding our mushroom identification skills, as we take a stroll through the campus forest.  We’ll peer into the world of the fungal kingdom - exploring the hosting tree communities, the make-up of the forest floor, and the key characteristics of the fruiting bodies we encounter. Samples of our finds will be documented and added to the collective table for all to observe with any abundant dye species going to our dye pots.

In this two-day intensive, we’ll go through all aspects of making a full spectrum of dyes from wild mushrooms and lichens. We’ll start the day expanding our mushroom identification skills, as we take a stroll through the campus forest.  We’ll peer into the world of the fungal kingdom - exploring the hosting tree communities, the make-up of the forest floor, and the key characteristics of the fruiting bodies we encounter. Samples of our finds will be documented and added to the collective table for all to observe with any abundant dye species going to our dye pots.

We’ll spend the afternoon testing, extracting , and optimizing the natural dye makers of the region. Through hands-on experience, you will get a thorough grasp of how to work with mushroom and lichen dyes on wool and the effects of mordants and modifiers. At the end of day one, we’ll have a rainbow of mushroom-dyed samples, a recipe card detailing our process, a color guide to the best local dye species, and an instructional handout to continue explorations at home. We'll start fiber mordanting overnight for our future dye tests.

Day two is a half-day and will be dedicated to dyeing silk. We will use a couple of dye resist techniques to make simple but elegant designs on our fabric. Each person will have two scarves provided with additional scarves available for purchase. After class, you’ll have a tool kit for exploring mycology through the lens of the arts and will be equipped to start dye testing right away.

 

Date: September 23-24, 2021 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Location: Bethel Horizons Camp & Retreat Center | 4651 Co Rd ZZ, Dodgeville, WI 53533

Admission:

This pre-conference workshop is offered as part of the Mycelium Mysteries Women's Mushroom Conference. Join this workshop and/or the entire event. Prices vary depending on registration and lodging packages. Visit www.midwestwomensherbal.com/myceliummysteries-preconferenceworkshops for more information.

Event website: midwestwomensherbal.com

Find it

4651 Co Rd ZZ
Dodgeville, WI 53533