ÈLÚ Indigo Dye – Community Dye Bath + Climate Cafe

Join us at the Climate Imaginarium for a unique Climate Cafe discussion where we process the state of our world while participating in an indigo dye workshop!

Rooted in community, creativity, and sustainability, this hands-on dye bath will immerse you in the history and cultural significance of indigo ("Ẹ̀lú" in Yoruba, meaning not just 'indigo' but also 'love').

Participants can bring one or two medium to light-colored cotton or linen garments or fabrics to overdye, making this a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into well-loved pieces, cover stains, and enhance the beauty of your textiles. Oluwakemi Oritsejafor, founder of SOLA Market, will guide you through practical instruction in natural dyeing and printmaking techniques, while also sharing insights into traditional Yoruba dye practices. Each participant will create their own naturally dyed textiles to take home!

🛑 Please avoid bringing: polyester, leather, fur, nylon, spandex (lycra), wool, lace, sheer fabrics, undergarments, or upholstery fabrics.

💵 Tickets are available on a sliding scale from $25-$40 to cover materials. If cost is a barrier, please DM @climateimaginarium on Instagram.

Kemi Oritsejafor is a talented artist, educator, and community organizer based in Brooklyn, whose work intertwines culture, craft, technology, and storytelling across the Black Diaspora and the Global South. Kemi has previously facilitated indigo dye experiences for various renowned organizations.

⛴️ Getting to the Climate Imaginarium:
Check the weekend ferry schedule to Governors Island here. Ferries run every 15 minutes from Lower Manhattan (10 South Street), Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pier 6), or Red Hook/Atlantic Basin. Please arrive 15 minutes before your departure time with your ticket ready. Ferry tickets must be purchased at the terminal or online, with fares set at $5 for a round trip. All passengers ride free before 11 AM on weekends, and cars are not permitted.

Once you arrive on Governors Island, you will disembark at either Soissons Landing (from Manhattan) or Yankee Pier (from Brooklyn). Use this map of Governors Island to find your way to Colonels Row where the Climate Imaginarium is located at 406A Comfort Road — look for the visible sign at the doorway.

🎟️ Get your tickets here!