Botanical Printing & Hapa Zome
An Assembly in Bloom
June 12, 2026
The Center for the Arts • New London, New Hampshire
Where flowers became pigment, leaves became brushes, and curiosity became art.
The first AoG x CFA collaboration began with a simple invitation: gather around a table, slow down, and discover what nature is willing to share.
As part of the Center for the Arts' Art in Bloom exhibition, participants spent an afternoon exploring the centuries-old traditions of Botanical Printing and Hapa Zome ("leaf dye"). Working with freshly gathered flowers, leaves, petals, and natural fibers, each person created one-of-a-kind textile pieces that reflected both the landscape around them and the unexpected beauty that emerges through experimentation.
No two prints were alike. Every hammer strike, every leaf, every flower, and every fold revealed something surprising—reminding us that the most memorable creative experiences often begin by letting go of perfection.
The Experience
Rather than following a rigid set of instructions, participants were encouraged to experiment.
Flowers became pigments.
Leaves became printing plates.
Silk became a canvas for discovery.
Throughout the afternoon, tables filled with gathered botanicals, laughter, conversation, and moments of quiet concentration as each participant discovered how color, texture, pressure, and composition could transform simple natural materials into lasting works of art.
The workshop was guided by textile artists Karen Stewart and Carey Stoudt, whose decades of work in sustainable textiles and natural dyeing helped participants see plants not simply as materials, but as creative collaborators.
Voices from the Assembly
"The process slowed me down in the best possible way."
– Sarah M.
"I stopped worrying about making something perfect and started enjoying making something beautiful."
– Amber P.
