Artist in Residence: Vermont Meets the Desert

Artist in Residence, Kate Long Hodges, came to Rock Point School to collaborate with students on a textile art project. Kate grew up in Vermont and now lives in the Sonoran Desert where she has been learning textile art with members of the Tohono O'odham tribe. Rock Point Students studied plant dyes from the Sonoran Desert and used prickly pear cactus, agave thorns, and earth pigments to create their piece.

Students used the dye on recycled clothing made from cotton, silk, and linen. They also added materials they gathered from the Rock Point property. The class enjoyed a mini archaeological dig and found old bottles, pieces of china, metal and even pieces of a leather boot in the places where Rock Point discarded trash years ago.

The collaborative piece students created with Kate is now displayed above the fireplace in Hayden Lounge!