Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising Programs and Events
Our programs and events highlight the wide range of the Avenir’s current exhibitions, as well as guest presenters on unique subjects. Join us for these free, public lectures on an intriguing array of textile topics!
Make & Mend
Saturday, April 6 and May 4, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Avenir Classroom
Are your favorite jeans ripped? Do you have holes in your socks? Want to learn how to sew on a button or just need a larger space for a sewing project? Drop in to our monthly ‘Make & Mend’ events. All textile project types are welcome- we will do what we can to help. (Please note that this is not an alteration service, we want to help you learn to maintain and create your own clothes!)
Message in a Pocket: Dating out Textile Artifacts
Thursday, March 21, 2024
5:30 p.m.
Avenir Classroom
Dating textile artifacts poses a unique set of challenges. Garments are rarely dated, so other clues have to be relied upon to accurately assess the age of these objects. Ben Jenkins and Aaron Klass of the Merchant Tailor Museum discuss the resources that they depend on to assign dates to the historical garments in their collection of menswear from 1845-65, offering deductive strategies and areas of inquiry to narrow the ages of artifacts in their collection to within ten years.
Purple Turtle Tie Dye
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Lory Student Center Plaza
Try your hand at tie-dye with the instruction of Purple Turtle Tie Dye, a local artist whose work can be found at farmers’ markets around Fort Collins.
Tie Dye Show and Tell
Thursday, April 18, 2024
5:30 p.m.
Avenir Classroom
Bring or wear your favorite piece of tie-dye to show and share the story of the piece.
Ikat with Kristen Bukowski
Thursday, May 16, 2024
5:30 p.m.
Avenir Classroom
Learn about the process of Ikat, dying yarns prior to weaving them into fabric, from CSU instructor Kristen Bukowski.
Garden Tie Dye
June Date and Time TBD
Avenir Classroom
Make your own Tie Dye with inspiration from the colorful Trial Gardens. We will have all the supplies you need to try out different resist dying techniques.