Filipino creatives explore natural dye process, local textiles in art workshop

Colors of Nature, an art workshop which gathered Filipino creatives to experiment with diverse techniques in the natural dyeing process and local textiles, aims to promote sustainable practices in the industry.

Industry practitioner and Benilde Textile Design (BTD) Program Coordinator Diana Jean Katigbak introduces the BTD, the premier textile education program in the Philippines.

It tapped several Senior High School (SHS) students from various institutions in the Philippines to expand their cultural understanding on the utilization of natural dyes, organic resources, and local textiles in their own designs.

The session was attended by Grade 10 to 12 pupils from the Arellano University Mabini Campus, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) SHS, De La Salle University SHS, La Salle Green Hills, Malabon National High School, Operation Brotherhood Montessori Center, Pasig Catholic College, Philippine High School for the Arts, San Beda University, and University of Santo Tomas.

The creative works of Senior High School students during the painting activities.

The initiative was organized by the Textile Design Program of DLS-CSB School of Environment and Design (SED) in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI).

To foster creativity and environmental consciousness, registered chemist and DOST-PTRI Science Research Specialist II Kimberly Viron walked participants through the process of extracting natural dye from raw materials.

Senior High School students from various institutions in the Philippines gain the opportunity to use paints with pigments from mahogany barks, talisay leaves, and yellow ginger in their painting activities.

Viron presented the classifications of natural dyes from different mediums, such as annatto seeds, coconut husks, indigo plants, mahogany barks, and talisay leaves. She likewise highlighted their application on personal care, cosmetics, food, and smart packaging.

Hands-on artmaking activities allowed participants to use paints with the extracted pigments.

The selected outputs will be showcased in the future exhibits of the DOST-PTRI.

Senior High School students showcase their pieces

“The Colors of Nature aimed to give new learnings to the youth based on science and research, which makes a good foundation for exploring the different application possibilities for natural dye sources,” Benilde Textile Design (BTD) Program Coordinator Diana Jean Katigbak shared.

“The attendees were likewise equipped to experiment different approaches in creating works that were not only aesthetically appealing but also backed with innovative methods and principles for imaginative and inventive endeavors,” the educator added.

The industry practitioner also provided an overview of BTD, the premier textile education program in the Philippines. The program advocates for textile ingenuity deeply rooted in Filipino traditions and heritage with a multidisciplinary approach.

Katigbak likewise shared how the undergraduate offering represents a groundbreaking framework that factors in the ecological, social, and economic considerations while ensuring the future generation's needs are preserved.

For more information on BTD, visit benilde.edu.ph/undergraduate-textile-design/.