Member Meet-Up: Natural Dyes from Seeds

Member Meet-Ups are small group get-togethers for Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Members where we learn from each other while exploring Santa Cruz’s diverse natural spaces. Not a Member? Join today for as little as $15 a year!\ \ Seeds hold incredible potential — they grow into plants, feed us, and can even produce beautiful colors. During this month’s Member Meet-Up, we will explore the color potential of seeds by processing acorns, avocado seeds, and California black walnuts into natural dyes in honor of our exhibit, Seeds: Nature’s Artful Engineering.\ \ During this hands-on program led by our Public Programs Manager Marisa Gomez, learn how to select and prepare natural dye materials, and properly dye natural fibers. All participants will create their own hand-dyed cotton bandana using the Japanese pattern technique of shibori.\ \ Accessibility and COVID protocol\ -All participants will go home with a naturally dyed cotton bandana which they will prepare during the program.\ -In addition to dyeing a bandana, we will be preparing dyes using a variety of seeds, including acorns, walnuts, and avocados for use during the Museum’s annual Halloween event, Museum of the Macabre, the following Saturday.\ -Restrooms will be available inside the Museum (masks required)\ -Please follow current state and local guidelines for COVID-19 safety at the time of the program. We will monitor changes to policies and send out more specific details to registrants prior to the event.