Indigo show is blue-tiful

Learn about the fascinating history of indigo dye, with Astoria artist and well-traveled indigo explorer Iris Sullivan Daire at Manzanita’s Hoffman Center for the Arts this Sunday, Jan. 14.

The talk, “The Devil’s Dye — Stories of Indigo” is part of the January show, where local artists were called to reflect their interpretation of the color indigo through their mediums.

Plant-based indigo blue has a long and complicated story with humans. Some cultures’ obsession with this color uplifted it to the realm of the sacred and led to some of the most horrific actions in history.

Daire will share a bit about the plants and the chemistry of the dye at the center of these many stories.

“Indigo might be a common thread that can help us face what has come before” she said, “and find our way through the complex times we are living in.”

Since 2017, the center has hosted an annual winter art exhibit featuring artists from Clatsop and Tillamook counties. Work is available for purchase, with 70 percent of the purchase price going to the artist and the remainder benefiting the nonprofit's mission to provide opportunities for artistic and cultural access, education, exploration and collaboration.

Sunday’s talk begins at 2 pm at the Hoffman Gallery, located at 594 Laneda Avenue in Manzanita. Admission is $20.

• The Indigo show runs through Saturday, Jan 27, available to view Thursday through Sunday from noon to 4 pm. There will be an open mic for writers to share on the topic at 3 pm on Saturday, Jan. 20.

For more information go to hoffmanarts.org or call 503-368-3846.