Classes & Events
On The Farm:
Beyond the classroom, the farm is open. Come paint outside, pick your own dye plants, or work the land in exchange for materials. All of it counts toward membership in The Ephemeral Society for Botanical Arts.
Fermenting Indigo and Salt Dye:
Watch fresh indigo become pigment, then use it to dye and pattern organic cotton with salt and ice. Part technique, part chemistry, pure serendipity.
$65 · 2 to 3 hours · 7 people max
Making Ink:
Harvest from the farm and process plants into ink the same day. A little chemistry, a lot of color and two bottles to take home.
$65 · 2 to 2.5 hours · 7 people max
Foraged Color:
Learn to make ink from foraged botanicals and take the skill anywhere. Every place has color if you know where to look.
$75 · 2 to 2.5 hours · 7 people max
Rice Paste Resist with Indigo Vat
Follow up:
A two-part series in resist dyeing. Apply a rice paste image to organic cotton in session one, return to dip it in the indigo vat in session two. The reveal is worth every minute of waiting.
$145 per person (covers both sessions) · 3 to 4 hours each · 5 people max
Indigo Salt Dye for Kids:
Fresh indigo, ice, and salt to dye organic cotton bandanas. Fold, twist, wrap — every piece a unique surprise. Non-toxic color change sorcery right before your eyes.
$65 per pair (1 child + 1 adult) · 1.5 to 2 hours · 5 pairs max
Making Ink for Kids:
Farm flowers and kitchen items become bright, paintable inks. Make them, shift their colors, paint with them on the spot. Color change sorcery for curious kids.
$65 per pair (1 child + 1 adult) · 1.5 to 2 hours · 5 pairs max
Lake Pigments:
Make a lake pigment from scratch, then grind it into paint to take home. Each date focuses on a different medium — watercolor, egg tempera, or walnut oil paint. Same plants, genuinely different processes and results.
$75 · 3 to 4 hours · 6 people max
Indigo Vat:
Wake up an indigo vat, learn the chemistry behind it, then fold, tie, and dip organic cotton until your blue arrives. Wearable art made from plants grown on the farm.
$65 · 2 to 4 hours · 7 people max
Plein Air Sessions:
Come paint at the farm. Sunrise, sunset, or lazy afternoon — views into the Blue Ridge, fields brimming with flowers, and 2.5 hours to put it all on paper.
$30 · 2.5 hours · 10 people max
Notes for all Classes
Every class includes a tour of the farm and an overview of current growing operations.
Classes are held in a semi open-sided shade structure on the farm — a full woven roof and three woven sides with a permanent work table and sink inside.
Porta john on site. BYO snacks and drinks. Herbal tea provided.
Gloves, aprons, and masks available at all classes.
Wear clothes you don't mind getting colorful — ink and pigment have a mind of their own.
BYO sun and bug protection. Dress for the farm and the season.
Classes cancelled for rain and fully refunded.
Classes are geared to adults and older teens. Kids classes are designed for ages 5 to 12 and require a participating adult for children under 10. Children 10 and older may attend kids classes independently, provided they can follow instruction — parents know their kids best.
All on-farm activities count toward membership in The Ephemeral Society for Botanical Arts (ESBA).
Groups welcome.
Contact us about private bookings for classes, farm events, and off-farm workshops.
Have a group or an occasion? We can help. We could make ink from your cutting garden for your birthday or set up an indigo vat around a warm fire on the farm.
Tell us what you're thinking and we'll find something fun together.
Private bookings available on and off the farm.
Contact us to inquire
Virginia Agritourism Liability Notice:
Under Virginia law, there is no liability for an injury to or death of a participant in an agritourism activity conducted at this agritourism location if such injury or death results from the inherent risks of the agritourism activity. Inherent risks of agritourism activities include, among others, risks of injury inherent to land, equipment, and animals, as well as the potential for you to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to your injury or death. You are assuming the risk of participating in this agritourism activity.