Natural Dye Workshop

SEED STORIES

WHAT IS SEED STORIES? 14 weeks of free, all ages eco-art programming offered at the Backyard Growcery from July 10th to the end of the 2024 market season. From a place of curiosity and play, we invite participants of all ages and ability to explore various methods of nature-based art making. Using eco materials sourced directly from our market vendors and local businesses, we will be making naturally dyed plant paper embedded with native seeds so that the art will grow when planted.

Seed Stories will grow more than native plants!  Creating this project together, we will grow greater awareness and connection to our local ecology, to our food systems, and to our creative capacity. These interactive workshops will culminate in a community created public art installation and art exhibition.

weeks 1-8: paper making process

For the first 8 weeks, we will be making plant paper! Every workshop is designed with maximum accessibility in mind so that participants of all ages, abilities, and interest can join in the process. Participants will have hands-on opportunities to make paper pulp, strain the pulp into molds,  and press seeds and flowers into their paper to create unique designs . Each week we will focus on a specific, naturally derived color for our paper making, so that by the end of the 8 weeks, we will have an incredible collection of colorful, plantable paper.

weeks 9-10: ink making

During week 9 and 10 we will explore natural ink making, creating colors from locally sourced plants and organic materials.

weeks 11-14: composition + installation

The remaining weeks will feature collage and sewing based activations where participants can create their own paper compositions. If interested, participants can utilize the natural inks as well in their designs. Participants can choose whether they would like to keep their seed paper compositions, or contribute their artwork to a large-scale community composition that will be sewn together by the end of the Backyard Growcery season.

This FREE community programming is made possible through the generous support of the 

Essex County Community Foundation, CreativeCounty, and Awesome Gloucester.

SEED STORIES TEAM

The Backyard Growcery opens for its very first season on Wednesday, June 19. This new weekly farmers market will operate every Wednesday from 2:30-6:30pm at Burnham’s Field in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Managed by Backyard Growers, the Backyard Growcery is a food-focused and community-based market that strives to increase access to locally-produced food, uplift small-scale growers and food businesses, and create opportunities for connection among neighbors.

Alexis Harwood is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work explores the interplay between art and spirit. In her social practice, Alexis cultivates community programming that empowers creative connection and curiosity.  Alexis called Seed Stories into existence, and guides the ethos of this unique program.

Maia Mattson will be facilitating the workshop series and community installation.  Maia is a botanical artist based out of Gloucester, MA. She creates site specific, nature inspired work that merges her knowledge of botany and art with her passion for ecological sustainability + nature based remediation.