ÈLÚ Indigo Dye – Community Dye Bath + Climate Cafe
Join us at the Climate Imaginarium for a climate cafe discussion to process the state of our world and an indigo dye workshop! Rooted in community, creativity, and sustainability, this hands-on community dye bath introduces participants to the history and cultural significance of indigo ("Ẹ̀lú" in Yoruba, a word that also means “indigo” but as well as "love"), Participants are able to bring one or two medium to light-colored cotton or linen garments or fabrics to overdye. Indigo overdyeing is a beautiful way to refresh well-loved pieces, cover stains, add new depth of color, and extend the life of your textiles. SOLA Market founder, Oluwakemi Oritsejafor, will provide practical instruction in natural dyeing and printmaking techniques. Participants will learn about traditional Yoruba dye practices and create their own naturally dyed textiles to take home. Please do not bring: polyester, leather, fur, nylon, spandex (lycra), wool, lace, sheer fabrics, undergarments, or upholstery fabrics.
Tickets are sliding scale $25-$40 to cover materials. Please DM @climateimaginarium on Instagram if price is a barrier.
Kemi Oritsejafor is a Brooklyn-based Nigerian-Liberian-American artist, educator, entrepreneur, community organizer,andfounder of SOLA Market. Their work explores culture, craft, technology, and storytelling across the Black Diaspora and the Global South. Kemi has facilitated indigo dye experiences for organizations including North Star Fund, Garfield Park Conservatory, NYC Parks Greenthumb, Hudson Valley Seed Company, Public Assistants, and many others.
⛵ Getting to the Climate Imaginarium
For the weekend ferry schedule to Governors Island, please check here. Ferries run every 15 minutes. Take the ferry that’s most convenient for you from either Lower Manhattan (10 South Street), Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pier 6), or Red Hook/Atlantic Basin. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your ferry departure time with your ticket ready to display.
Ferry tickets must be purchased at the ferry terminal or online. Fares are $5 for a round trip ticket and free for adults over 65, children 12 and under, Climate Imaginarium summer volunteers, and others. All passengers ride free before 11am on weekends. Cars are not permitted.
Governors Island is also accessible from any route via NYC Ferry by transferring at Wall Street/Pier 11. You can find the NYC Ferry schedule here. Tickets on NYC Ferry are $4.50 each way.
Once you get to Governors Island, you will either get out at Soissons Landing (from Manhattan) or Yankee Pier (from Brooklyn). You can use this map of Governors Island to locate Colonels Row. The Climate Imaginarium is in Building 406A, in the middle of Colonels Row, and will have a visible sign outside the doorway. Our address is 406A Comfort Road.