COOKING AND CULTURING COLOUR: Creating compostable dyes from food waste and bacteria

In this four-part hybrid workshop, we will develop dyes extracted from food waste and derived from bacteria. Through this creation process, we will explore and discuss themes of sustainability, minimal waste and re-use, and the environmental impact of our explorations. We will introduce participants to basic lab protocols, alternative ‘eco-friendly’ lab methodologies, and adapted techniques for safe ‘at-home’ lab work as well.  Specifically, participants will learn to dye textiles with food waste and with bacteria; and how to modulate colors and grow patterns, through a variety of basic lab techniques including the preparation of a liquid culture, the preparation of agar plates, streaking plates, and the safe use of the bactincinorator and autoclave.