Color Comes From Somewhere-Film Screening, Q&A and Dye Demo with Elan
About this Event
As part of Portland Textile Month 2026, join Pacific Northwest–born artist, ecologist, natural dyer, mycologist, and outdoor educator Elan Hagens for Color Comes From Somewhere—a special screening, natural dye demonstration, and conversation about indigo, textiles, ecology, farming, and place.
It is a pleasure to be part of Portland Textile Month’s annual celebration of textile artists, makers, designers, and the many ways textiles connect us to culture, creativity, and the world around us.
How do you make a true American flag? Start with a seed.
The event will feature a screening of How to Make a True American Flag, Elan’s featured episode of Oregon Field Guide.
The 10-minute film follows Elan on a journey from seed to textile, exploring the story of indigo and natural dye through Oregon-grown materials, farming, fiber, history, and place. What begins in the soil becomes color, then cloth—and along the way, the story becomes much bigger than a textile.
Following the screening, Elan will share a live natural dye and indigo demonstration and talk about the plants, farming, science, and hands-on processes behind natural color. She’ll also share a little of what it means to build a creative life rooted in the Pacific Northwest—where time outdoors, foraging, making, textiles, and curiosity all overlap.
For Elan, working with textiles is another way of being outdoors. A plant can become a dye. A farm can become a palette. A walk through the landscape can become the beginning of a new piece of work. Her practice is driven by the joy of following those connections and seeing where they lead.
The event will be held at Madre Linen, a beautiful Portland home-textile shop where guests will also have an opportunity to browse and purchase thoughtfully made textiles for the home.
What to expect
- Screening of How to Make a True American Flag from Oregon Field Guide
- A journey from indigo seed to textile
- Live indigo and natural dye demonstration
- Stories about Oregon farming, plants, textiles, ecology, and place
- Conversation and audience Q&A
- Time to explore Madre Linen and its beautiful collection of home textiles
No previous experience with natural dyes or textiles is needed. Come curious, come ready to learn, and come celebrate the joy of making with materials from the living world.
Sunday, October 11 | 3:00 PM
Free | Approximately 1 hour
Madre Linen
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
