Wool Dyeing at Whitefish Bay Farm Gallery

At Whitefish Bay Farm Gallery a flock of Corriedale sheep can be seen grazing in the pastures surrounding the barns and gallery. To kick off their 30th season on May 18, the gallery will host three days of natural wool dyeing. Visitors will see the process of indigo dyeing of the flock’s wool.

Indigo has probably seen longer continuous use as a colorant than any other dye material (perhaps 5,500 to 6,000 years), and for many years was one of the few sources of blue color. Indigo plants are found only in warm climates; luckily, for the modern day natural dyer, the dye material can be purchased through many natural dye sources.

The dyeing process is complex as the fiber goes through a complex color transformation from a yellow-green color to blue, due to oxidation with the air.

Several weekends of natural dyeing are planned throughout the 30th season. The wool dyeing demonstrations on May 18, 19, and 20 will be held from 1 – 3 pm. Many of the sessions will incorporate flowers, leaves, bark, or mushrooms gathered from the farm.

Whitefish Bay Farm Gallery is located 1.5 miles east of Highway 57 on County WD (Clark Lake Road) on the way to Whitefish Dunes State Park. The gallery is open daily (except Tuesdays) from noon to 5 pm. For more information call 920.743.1560 or visit http://www.whitefishbayfarm.com.