Praxis Fiber Workshop
Praxis Fiber Workshop is a nonprofit contemporary textile arts organization dedicated to advancing fiber art through education, community engagement, and creative research. Through classes, workshops, artist residencies, exhibitions, and collaborative projects, Praxis builds an international network of artists and makers while demonstrating how fiber art can strengthen healthy, resilient, and inclusive communities.
As a teaching artist partner with the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning, Praxis brings hands-on, interdisciplinary learning experiences into schools and community settings, connecting art-making with history, science, sustainability, and cultural storytelling. Home to the largest open-access digital weaving residency program in the world and one of the nation's few natural indigo education centers, Praxis uses textiles as a powerful tool for creativity, critical thinking, environmental awareness, and community connection.
Praxis Fiber Workshop brings a rare, living natural indigo fermentation vat directly into the classroom. Students participate in the complete dyeing process, witnessing the transformation of fabric from green to brilliant blue while exploring the science, history, and cultural significance of one of the world's oldest dyes.
Through hands-on making, students learn about indigo's roots in African knowledge systems, its role in American history, and contemporary issues including sustainability, natural dyes, and the environmental impact of the fashion industry. Each student dyes and takes home their own indigo textile.
This interdisciplinary program integrates art, science, social studies, and environmental education and can be tailored for any grade level from Pre-K through 12th grade.
Ohio Visual Arts Learning Standards Addressed:
6.4CR: Recognize ethical uses of visual resources.
7.4CR: Consider ethics when interacting with visual resources.
8.1CR: Determine how the choice of media relates to the ideas and images in works of art.
Program Artist:
Praxis Fiber Workshop