Dye Workshop Series with AIRs Aida Tejada & Debora Rosental

Join Artists-in-Residence Aida Tejada and Debora Rosental for a hands‑on workshop exploring the art of dyeing and painting with pigments derived from Florida’s native plants.
Participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of natural color making through a guided demonstration on preparing plant based paints, mixing formulas, and understanding the unique variations that emerge from different species.
The session begins with an overview of the plants used in the workshop and their traditional applications in natural dye practices. Guests will then create a sampler of color studies using provided materials, followed by the opportunity to design a personalized piece with stencils and hand applied pigments.
All materials are included, and each participant will leave with their own set of naturally dyed artworks.
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Saturday, October 10, 2026
11:00 AM - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Deering Estate Pump House
16701 SW 72nd Avenue, Palmetto Bay Fl 33157
Ages 12+
Tickets at $30 available through Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com/e/1988573505887
About the Artists-in-Residence:
Aida Tejada, born in the Dominican Republic, brings an interdisciplinary and materially driven approach to her practice. She holds an MFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, along with a degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Communication. Informed by her multicultural background, Tejada’s work explores the poetics of reconstruction through the use of natural and reclaimed materials. Working across multiple media, she engages in processes of mixing, shaping, and mending, treating material as a living archive that carries memory as an evolving presence. Tejada has exhibited widely in solo and group exhibitions. Her work has received multiple honors, including two First Place awards from the International Society of Experimental Artists. It has been selected for The Florida Biennial 2022 at the Hollywood Art and Culture Center. She has participated in artist residencies at the Deering Estate (2014 and 2026) and the Studios in the Mile (2020). She is also co-author of the 2025 publication South Florida Color Palette: Native Plants and Natural Dyes.
Debora Rosental is an Argentinian artist based in Miami, Florida. With a background as a Biochemist, Pharmacist, and a Doctorate in Cellular Biology, she brings a researcher’s eye to the traditional crafts of weaving, embroidery, and natural dyeing. She takes an experimental approach to her work. She goes beyond traditional fabric by using innovative biomaterials and dyes made from native Florida plants. Through her art, Rosental explores how humans affect nature and uses her work to advocate for environmental protection and cultural heritage. Rosental is a two-time winner of the Miami Individual Artist (MIA) Grant (2024–2026). Her work has been shown at the Coral Gables Museum, the Handweaving Museum, Florida International University (FIU), the Coral Springs Museum of Art, and the Doral Cultural Arts Center. She is a co-author of the published book: South Florida Color Palette. Natural Dyes and Native Plants.