Indigo Dye Village: Adire Oniko Indigo Workshop

Enter the Indigo Dye Village and explore the design traditions of Adire Oniko in this hands-on indigo workshop with Kibibi Ajanku.

The Adire Oniko Indigo Workshop invites participants into the process of transforming cloth into a bold indigo wall hanging or t-shirt through folding, binding, and resist-dye design. Rooted in Yoruba indigo traditions, Adire Oniko uses structure, tension, and repetition to create rhythmic patterns that emerge only after dye meets cloth. In this immersive workshop experience, participants learn how intentional manipulation of fabric becomes a language of design—where geometry, intuition, and experimentation work together.

Fabric squares will be provided but participants are highly encouraged to bring their own 100% COTTON t-shirt or fabric to dye. Shirts will also be available to purchase.(opens in a new tab)

Participants begin by designing a composition, exploring balance, symmetry, and patterns. Through guided instruction, participants will:

• Fold, wrap, and compress fabric to establish resist patterns
• Bind cloth using raffia, string, or bands to control dye penetration
• Learn traditional Adire Oniko resist methods
• Prepare textiles for immersion in a natural indigo vat

As textiles enter the indigo vat, participants witness one of indigo’s most compelling moments of transformation—fabric emerging green before slowly oxidizing into deep blues. Multiple dye immersions allow color to deepen gradually, building the rich tonal layers characteristic of indigo textiles.

• Where is the workshop?

The workshop will be held at the Museum of Eastern Shore Culture, located at 218 W Main Street in downtown Salisbury.

• Do I need to bring anything?

Participants are invited to bring a white t-shirt or fabric square of 100% cotton or other natural fiber fabric (light- to mid-weight) to serve as the primary surface for their Adire Oniko design.

Natural fibers are essential for successful indigo dye absorption and allow resist patterns to fully develop through repeated dye immersions. Fabric should be pre-washed and free of sizing or finishes prior to the workshop.

• Where can I park and is it free?

Downtown parking is free up to two hours on weekdays and entirely free on weekends. The city has provided a parking map to help you find available spots: https://salisbury.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=f311511653ce4491addc51ca98732b56(opens in a new tab)

• What if I can no longer attend?

We understand that unexpected situations arise and advance notice isn’t always possible. However, we kindly ask that you try to provide at least 24–48 hours’ notice for any refund requests or changes in attendance. Doing so allows us to reopen ticket availability and offer another participant the opportunity to join the class.

All workshops will begin promptly at the time listed on your ticket. We recommend arriving 5–10 minutes early to ensure a smooth check-in and allow our instructors to start the class on time.

If you have any further questions, please reach out to the museum operations coordinator, Alexandra Kean: amkean@salisbury.edu.