The MICA Natural Dye Team has decided to postpone the Baltimore Natural Dye Symposium and Gathering until September. This was a difficult decision to make, but after careful review of the increasing concerns around COVID-19, and wanting to center the well being of our community, we felt that a postponement would be the best way forward.

In the past year and a half, we have been immensely gratified by cultivating and deepening relationships across Baltimore and beyond, connecting to various communities, and sharing in the exchange of knowledge around natural dye practices and histories. Most important to the students, community members, and core team involved in this project is that our work in the Natural Dye Initiative be built upon sustaining relationships and centering care. We are also committed to expanding the engagement with natural dyes in our region. With community connections and deepening learning so central to our work, we want to make sure that our symposium is well attended by a broad spectrum of people. We thus postpone the gathering to honor these goals, our presenters and attendees, our elders and the rich wisdom that is foremost to natural dye.

We will be announcing the new dates for the symposium in the next two weeks. In addition, pending the developments with the COVID-19 situation, we hope to be able to announce and host smaller scale workshops and events later this Spring.

With best wishes, respect and care, The MICA Natural Dye Team

Kibibi Ajanku, April Camlin, Rosa Sung Ji Chang, Kenya Miles, Kate McGrain, Valeska Populoh and Piper Shepard