The Human Nature Center in Ventura will lead a free Earth Day virtual art class via Zoom for friends of the Santa Paula Art Museum on Wednesday, April 22, starting at 10:00 a.m. Learn to use natural materials such as composted avocado skins to make an all-natural fabric dye. This is a great way to upcycle and show appreciation for Mother Nature by using what you already have such as an old bedsheet or t-shirt. If you prefer not to participate in the dyeing process, you're still welcome to watch the class, learn more about nature and natural dyes, and ask questions about the process! 

To prepare for this activity, you will need to do a few things: 

• Download the Zoom application to your computer, tablet, or smartphone: https://zoom.us/download

• Preregister to receive the link to the Zoom meeting here: https://us04web.zoom.us/meeting/register/upwsf-GurzkrG92sOiz0EzpocJV8nSCoUkwh

• Materials you will need:
- a piece of 100% cotton or linen fabric the size of a twin sheet or smaller
- 6-8 clean skins and pits from brown avocados
- a large stainless-steel pot
- tongs
- 2 cups of soymilk - as mordant so color will sink in
- a large bucket
- a stick or spoon

• Prep work to be done at least one day in advance:

1. Make sure your fabric has already been washed to remove any residue or sizing (warm water with just a little laundry soap should do the trick)
2. Soak your fabric in a bucket of hot tap water (enough to swirl fabric in) with 2 cups soymilk overnight, hang to dry and let cure for as many days as you can. The longer cure will mean a deeper color.
3. Set out your stainless cooking pot overnight with tap water to de-chlorinate
4. At least an hour or two before our workshop begins, set your cooking pot to boil with the avocado skins.

The Human Nature Center is a 501c3 mobile Ecology Arts Shop that uses arts as teaching tools for ecology. THNC connects people to nature and to each other through hands-on acts of growing and making.