Power of Plant Pigments 2024

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Summer course for credit  - in person July 29–August 9

INDS 393 301, 3 credits, CRN 51506 

(scroll down for more information on how to get credit for a range of programs, including Biology and Art)

What is it?

Why do plants produce such a range of hues in their leaves, stems, flowers, fruits and roots? How can we transform these pigments and other natural materials into paints, dyes, and other media that have a practical use? How have the most rare and most beautiful pigments been sought after for millennia? Why are many artists and craftspeople returning to the use of "natural-derived" pigments in an era of climate crisis?

This intensive course is a concentrated field study in which participants will explore plant pigments as found in boreal forest. Uniting perspectives from science and art, the course is co-taught by an artist (Jonathan Van Dyke, Bard College) and a plant ecologist (Christa Mulder, UAF). Guest lecturers include Santosh Panda (Remote Sensing, UAF) and Jan Dawe (Forestry, OneTree Project). 

Together with faculty, students enrolled in the course will study urgent questions associated with a changing climate. We'll study how plants are changing their pigments in response to a lengthening growing season, and how some plants benefit from this change while others are threatened. We will use remote sensing to evaluate changes in plants on a macro level, while also utilizing UAF's OneTree Project in order to study plants and trees on a micro level.

We'll learn historic techniques for converting plant-based and natural materials into inks, dyes, and paint, creating color studies and practicing painting techniques. And we'll dive into entrepreneurial opportunities: considering which plants are most suited (from both an artistic and sustainability point of view)  for potential development as Alaska-sourced art supplies.

You can find the full syllabus here. 


When and where is it?

We'll take advantage of the peak of summer in the boreal forest of Interior Alaska. Our field study will take place during a 2-week period:

July 29 - August 2 and August 5 - 9:  Monday through Friday, 10 am to 3:45 pm (with breaks for lunch, of course!)

We'll follow this with  2-week period during which you will be working independently on an individual or collaborative project (2-3 students per project). During this time period you'll meet with an instructor at least twice. You will present your project to the class during one of two remote meetings (over Zoom):

Who is it for?

This course is for curious people who are willing to look at the world from a whole new point of view. Much or our work will be collaboration and discussion. We welcome UAF students, students from elsewhere, and community members. Having completed at least one course in science or the fine arts is recommended but not required. 

This course will provide 3 INDS credits for all undergraduate students. In addition, the following UAF students can receive credit toward their program:

How do I register?

If you are an existing UAF student enrolled in a degree program, or you have taken a class within the last two years, log into UAOnline, and register for the Summer 2024 course: INDS 393 301, Power of Plant Pigments, 3 credits. The CRN is 51506

If you are not enrolled in a degree program, go to the Just Take a Class page and follow the instructions. If you have trouble, please contact Christa Mulder at cpmulder@alaska.edu.