Use of Plant-Based Color as a Visual Language

Step beyond synthetic pigments and into a world where art, chemistry, and cultural memory collide.

Join the UMD Stamp Gallery, Studio A, and the ARTiculate Narratives Project for a dynamic virtual artist talk with Mr. Wanyama Ogutu, MFA scholar at Kenyatta University. Discover how he extracts vibrant color from native Swahili plants and transforms them into powerful paintings that preserve cultural identity through creative expression.

🌿 A virtual deep-dive into the chemistry and heritage of botanical pigments

🎨 A live walkthrough of traditional color extraction and artistic process

💬 Interactive Q&A with the artist

Then, step into the studio to mix and paint your own watercolor masterpiece using natural materials. Learn how to transform your environment into a sustainable, symbolic palette.

Supported by Arts for All, a Do Good Mini Grant, Pepsi, and Stamp Programs.