tote-ally botanical
Create colorful, one-of-a-kind botanical prints using leaves and other gathered plant materials. In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore the art of botanical printing using special fabric inks to transfer the textures, shapes, and patterns of plants onto tote bags. We’ll experiment with layering color, composition, and natural forms while learning simple techniques for creating vibrant prints on fabric.
This class invites participants to slow down, observe closely, and co-create with the natural world through a playful and creative process. Each participant will leave with their own hand-printed tote bag inspired by the beauty of the season.
details:
Instructor: Rena Olson
Location: Outdoors at Yakona Nature Preserve
Ages: Adults and youth ages 16+ (youth must be accompanied by a participating adult)
Yakona provides: All class materials (unless otherwise noted)
Please bring: Drinking water, snacks or lunch, any necessary medications (including EpiPens), and weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy walking shoes.
Insects: Mosquitoes are part of the Yakona ecosystem. Insect repellent is recommended if you are sensitive to bites.
Arrival & Departure: Please plan to stay for the full duration of the class. Because Yakona is accessed by guided escort only, participants are unable to enter or leave independently once the program begins.
Parking & Carpooling: Participants will meet at the parking area and carpool the three miles into Yakona to minimize vehicle traffic on the preserve.
Restrooms: Restroom facilities are rustic outhouses and porta potties.
Pets: For the safety of Yakona's wildlife, pets are not permitted on the preserve, nor are pets allowed in parked vehicles, as there are no shaded parking areas.
Caring for Yakona: Please help us protect this special place by staying on designated trails, respecting wildlife, and leaving plants, fungi, and other natural features undisturbed unless collecting is part of the class. Pack out any personal belongings and trash and leave Yakona as beautiful as you found it.
Weather: Programs may be held rain or shine unless hazardous weather or other unsafe conditions require cancellation.
Attendance Commitment: Because space is limited and these resources are generously provided, we ask that you register only if you plan to attend. If your plans change, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your space to someone on the waitlist.
Class Enrollment: A minimum number of participants is required for this workshop. Yakona reserves the right to cancel a class due to low enrollment. Registered participants will be notified as soon as possible if a class is canceled.
Cost: This event is offered at no cost through grant funding and community support. Donations are always appreciated.
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Artist Bio
Whether I am gathering leaves for an eco-print, extracting color from plants and fungi, photographing a landscape, or walking quietly through a forest, my creative practice starts with observation. Nature is not simply my subject; it is my collaborator. Every leaf, every season, every shift in weather leaves its own mark, reminding me that beauty emerges through relationship rather than control.
Through my work and my teaching, I invite others to slow down, cultivate curiosity, and discover the joy of co-creating with nature. My hope is that each creative experience becomes more than an art project; that it becomes a conversation with the living world, fostering wonder, stewardship, and a deeper sense of belonging.