Colour Me Local Dye Garden: A gem at the heart of Vancouver

by Masa Kateb

The Colour Me Local Dye Garden (CML), nestled on the edge of Still Creek and the Renfrew Ravine at 3958 Renfrew Street, offers an immersive experience that celebrates the beauty of natural dyes and fosters a sense of connection with the environment and human creativity. Stewarded by Still Moon Arts Society, the garden offers an array of engaging activities this summer season.

Gardeners’ gatherings

At the heart of the garden lies a strong sense of community. Regular gardeners’ gatherings bring together green thumbs of all skill levels, fostering knowledge sharing and flower joy.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener, simply curious about cultivating plants for natural dyeing or would like to play your musical instrument for those who are gardening, these work parties offer an opportunity to learn from seasoned experts, exchange gardening tips and contribute to the garden’s growth.

>> Coming up on June 8, 24, July 6, 22 and more skill from Clare Kenny of the Mudgirls Collective, who will be guiding the project.

>> Starting June 20–23 (no experience needed)

Natural dye workshops

Embark on a fascinating journey into the realm of natural dyeing through workshops offered at the garden. Led by skilled artisans and experts, these immersive sessions provide a hands-on experience that reveals the alchemy behind transforming plant materials into vibrant dyes.

Learn about sustainable practices, traditional techniques and the rich history of natural dyeing while creating your own beautiful masterpiece.

A harvest from a gardeners’ gathering.

Building a sustainable legacy: The Cob Shed

For those with a passion for sustainable construction and public art, here is an exciting opportunity to volunteer for the Cob Shed project, thanks to funding from the City of Vancouver.

Cob, an eco-friendly building material made from clay, sand and straw, will be used to construct a unique and inspiring storage space for the garden’s tools. Join this project and become an integral part of the garden’s growth and also learn a life-

>> Discover the secrets of extracting colours from nature and unlock your artistic potential at the upcoming Naturally Dyeing Silk Workshop on June 28, or book a private workshop.

Simply enjoy

Amidst the busy city life, CML offers a serene escape where you can regulate your nervous system to the sound of water from the ravine while breathing in the fragrant blossoms and immersing yourself in the tranquil atmosphere of the garden at its peak.

Visit www.StillMoonArts.ca or email Varsha@StillMoonArts.ca for more details and to register.

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