Indigo Dyeing with Samorn Sanixay at Canberra Spinners and Weavers

Join Samorn Sanixay for an engaging hands-on demonstration on how indigo is processed and fermented in Laos. 

All are welcome to this drop-in demonstration, where you will hear more about preparing indigo for dyeing. Samorn uses materials which are locally sourced and grown, including eggshells and homemade lye water, as well as locally grown indigo. 

This is a free, drop-in event, no registrations required. 

This event is part of the 2026 Living City Canberra Spinners and Weavers collaborative project and coincides with the 60^th birthday of CSW, including other hands-on demonstrations such as Lomandra Weaving with Aunty Deidre Martin and Flax Processing with Rebecca Mayo.  

Location & parking details: 

• Canberra Spinners & Weavers, (inside Chifley Health & Wellbeing Hub), 70 Maclaurin Crescent, Chifley ACT 2606   
• There are two car parks – both off Maclaurin Crescent. The upper carpark has several disability parking spaces. The lower carpark is larger.  Both entries to the building are wheelchair accessible. More details here. 

About the Facilitator, Partners and Project: 

Samorn Sanixay is a Laotian-Australian textile artisan based in Canberra ho has been weaving and dyeing since 2002. Her work focuses on local and seasonal plants, reflecting a deep connection to the land. Over the years, she has developed a practice built around natural materials found close to home, using them to create pieces that reflect the changing seasons. For Samorn, sharing the traditions of textile craft is a way of reconnecting people to the beauty of the nature that surrounds us. 

Canberra Spinners and Weavers (CSW) bring together people interested in spinning, weaving and related activities. They encourage the art and craft of spinning and weaving in the ACT and surrounding region. In 2025 CSW received funding from the ACT Government to establish a dye and fibre garden at their studios in Chifley. In 2026, CSW will celebrate their 60^th birthday with numerous public activities and events. Learn more.  

Living City: people, plants and place is a three-year visual arts and design program working with Canberra’s suburban communities and many urban natural environments. The program encourages accessible and inclusive, art-based engagement with urban spaces while addressing climate change, urban biodiversity, wellbeing and conservation.   
 
In 2026, the ANU School of Art & Design has collaborated with Canberra Spinners and Weavers to deliver the Living City: people, plants and place program. 

The program is funded by ArtsACT and the ANU School of Art & Design.