Workshops
NAtural Dye Workshops
With over 35 years of experience, Textile Artist and Designer Madda Forcella invites you into her Oaxacan dye kitchen.
Madda’s practice is shaped through decades of research and collaboration with artisans from across Mexico. She approaches dyeing as an empirical and intuitive process, working with plants, bark, flowers and insects to create a nuanced and expansive spectrum of colors, hues and saturation.
Guided by Madda, you’ll explore the quiet alchemy of natural dyes, learning ancient recipes and ancestral techniques through a contemporary lens.
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Cochineal and indigo are the two natural dyes that are most representative of Oaxaca.
You can choose to learn about:
Cochineal, to create a range of colours from pink to burgundy.
Indigo, to discover deep shades of blue through its oxidation process.
Individual price:
Mexican nationals: $4,900 MXN
International visitors: $295 USD
Group price (2 to 5 people):
Mexican nationals: $3,700 MXN per person
International visitors: $215 USD per person
TOTAL: 5 hours
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By adding the yellow tones of marigold, we enrich our color palette, creating a spectrum ranging from yellow to burgundy.
Individual price:
Mexican nationals: $9,400 MXN
International visitors: $550 USD
Group price (2 to 5 people):
Mexican nationals: $6,600 MXN per person
International visitors: $395 USD per person
TOTAL: 10 hours
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By working with the three primary colors, we can create secondary colors based on color theory.
Individual price:
Mexican nationals: $13,900 MXN
International visitors: $825 USD
Group price (2 to 5 people):
Mexican nationals: $9,800 MXN per person
International visitors: $585 USD per person
TOTAL: 15 hours
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If you are looking for professional-level training and a deep immersion into the practice of natural dyeing, this workshop is for you.
We will cover every step needed to create a complete palette of up to 40 stable colors, applying the principles of color theory, color mixing, overdyeing and the use of modifiers.
Individual price:
Mexican nationals: $21,900 MXN
International visitors: $1,295 USD
Group price (2 to 5 people):
Mexican nationals: $15,900 MXN per person
International visitors: $965 USD per person
TOTAL: 25 hours
Our natural dye workshops have been developed by Madda, reflecting her distinct approach to color, material and process.
We offer a curated progression of workshops focused on cochineal, marigold, indigo and logwood, each designed to provide an introductory technical understanding of dye materials while also building a sensitivity to color. Workshops range from one to five days. They can be one-on-one or group sessions (please enquire about pricing for groups of more than five).
At the end of the session, you’ll take home a color sample chart and a detailed guide so you can continue dyeing on your own.
weaving workshops
Our pedal loom weaving workshops were developed by Madda in collaboration with master artisans who we have worked with for many years, in order to offer a broad understanding of what can be created on a pedal loom. The workshops range from an introduction to two-pedal flat weaving techniques to more complex four-pedal twill weaving.
If you are looking to learn the fundamentals of pedal loom weaving, or to deepen your knowledge of this technique in order to create your own fabric or rug, this workshop is for you. The combination of theory and design guidance by Madda, together with master artisans from Teotitlán del Valle (the birthplace of pedal loom weaving in Oaxaca), makes this workshop a deep immersion into both tradition and contemporaneity.
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Individual price:
Mexican nationals: $4,900 MXN
International visitors: $295 USD
Price for 2 people:
Mexican nationals: $3,700 MXN per person
International visitors: $215 USD per person
TOTAL: 5 hours
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Individual price:
Mexican nationals: $9,400 MXN
International visitors: $550 USD
Price for 2 people:
Mexican nationals: $6,600 MXN per person
International visitors: $395 USD per person
TOTAL: 10 hours
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Individual price:
Mexican nationals: $13,900 MXN
International visitors: $825 USD
Price for 2 people:
Mexican nationals: $9,800 MXN per person
International visitors: $585 USD per person
TOTAL: 15 hours
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You can choose between an in-depth exploration of plain weave and its variations or twill and its variations.
Individual price:
Mexican nationals: $21,900 MXN
International visitors: $1,295 USD
Price for 2 people:
Mexican nationals: $15,900 MXN per person
International visitors: $965 USD per person
TOTAL: 25 hours
Our natural dyeing and pedal loom weaving workshops are run throughout the year. Get in touch now to inquire about dates and book your workshop.