Rebecca Burgess

1071467062_RCVpx-M-1Rebecca Burgess is a fifth generation resident of the watershed where her great grandmother and grandfather once spent afternoons canoeing, swimming, and fishing along the banks of the creek. Her connection to the landscape is a lens for her creative process.

Working as an ecological restoration educator, curricula developer, author, and textile artist—her work is imbued with a commitment and respect for place.

Rebecca’s is the author of the newly released book, Harvesting Color.  Her textiles have been featured in the internationally circulated book,  Print and Production Finishes for Sustainable Design (2009). She writes for eco-blogs, and has been featured by numerous online periodicals.

Rebecca founded Ecologicalarts in 2005, an organization dedicated to creating, reviving, and teaching textile art forms that utilize botanical resources in a manner that promotes the health and regenerative processes of the ecosystem.

She teaches workshops, and classes for schools, and a wide-array of organizations. She has written an educational curricula on restoration dye gardening, which was honed during a three-year sojourn at the Lagunitas School in West Marin.

Rebecca has studied the sustainable fiber and natural dye production processes of native communities both in Indonesia, Thailand, Lao, and California. Learning from these traditional artisans inspired the fibershed model—which is currently being honed into a working template in Rebecca’s homeland region of Northern California.

Collaborative partners

Rebecca has worked with various local, regional and nationwide organizations dedicated to sustainability, education and restoration. Some of her collaborative partners have included:

  • California School of Herbal Studies
  • Berkeley Botanic Garden
  • Harvard University
  • Bay Area Discovery Museum
  • Canal Child Care Center
  • Lagunitas School
  • Threads Of Life
  • Salmon Protection Agency & Watershed Network
  • Sustainable Fairfax
  • Permaculture Marin
  • Trackers North West
  • Pickleweed Center
  • West Marin Commons
  • Regenerative Design Institute

Fibershed

The term fibershed is used to describe the local and regional resource area for creating our own textiles, dyes and clothing. Similar to a watershed or foodshed, your fibershed is the area in your town or region that provides fibers and dye colors needed for textiles and clothing.

Rebecca's work with local dyes and textiles - including growing, harvesting and processing her own dye ingredients - helps to bring the colors of fibershed to life.  The local farmers and ranchers producing fibers for our region are the foundation of the Fibershed Project — this project seeks to illuminate their vital role within our communities.

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Rebecca's workshop was overwhelmingly judged to be one of the most exciting, information-packed, and enjoyable programs our group has ever experienced.

~ Sara Zander, President of Marin Golden Threads

All of the classes I have taken with Rebecca have been fun, positive learning experiences. Making new friendships is always a good thing, but in combination with beautiful textile arts, lessons covering everything from the chemistry of dyes to the cultural history of weaving, and an overall optimistic atmosphere, a truly unique experience is created. I love all the arts Rebecca teaches!

~ Ellery, age 14

 

Rebecca taught Ecological Arts this summer at the Bay Area Discovery Museum. She is very calm and relaxed around children, gently helping them make choices and express their individuality. As she worked with a group, decision making appeared natural and organic and always respected the desires of the children.

~ Bruce Simon, School and Community Programs Manager, Discovery Museum

 

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