[2014 Symposium registration opens June 23 at 10am.]

2014 Maiwa Textile Symposium

Workshop Secrets of the Dye Garden

Michel Garcia

$395 includes 75 lab fee

September 29, 30, October 1 - Class Limit 16

Maiwa East: 1310 Odlum Drive, Vancouver BC

For dyers, this is our most talked-about workshop. Michel Garcia’s deep knowledge of dye chemistry is communicated in metaphor, humour, and wit. Students learn not only what happens with dyes but why. 

A founder of the Botanical Garden of Dye Plants in Lauris, France, Michel returns each year to share the results of his most recent research. Students can expect a fast-paced workshop packed with ideas, concepts, samples, and demonstrations.

Students will be exposed to a wide range of natural dye knowledge from mordant types to families of tannins to water chemistry. Michel brings the latest research and discoveries from his own experimental studio to share with students.

As the class progresses, students will begin to see all the threads come together—for example, how thickening techniques for dyes can also be used with mordants, how the dye matter gives up its colour, and why it fixes to the cloth (or doesn’t). 

Students with prior experience with natural dyes will benefit the most from this class.

Instructor Bio

Michel Garcia is a French national born in Morocco. He was nineteen when he first discovered natural dyes. Since then he has followed his love of both plants and pigments. In 1998 he formed the association Couleur Garance (Madder Colour). The association hoped to connect young ecologically sensitive artisans with the substantial expertise of an older generation of dyers. Under his direction, Couleur Garance produced over twenty monographs on natural dyes and dye plants.

In 2002 Michel founded the Botanical Garden of Dye Plants at the Château de Lauris. In 2003 an international forum and market for natural dyes was added. A year later a resource centre was established.

In 2006 Michel handed over leadership of Couleur Garance so that he could further pursue his interest in colour and dye techniques. He has published three titles on natural dyes showing the range of shades available and how to obtain them.

Michel teaches and advises internationally on natural colours and dyes..