A Deep Dive Into Fish Skin Tanning

A Deep Dive Into Fish Skin Tanning            

( Photo by Janey Chang - A Sample of the many colors possible using natural dyes on fish skin)

Immerse yourself in the world of natural and traditional skills in this 2 day Deep Dive Into Fish Skin Tanning Workshop. You’ll learn about the significance of this ancestral skill around the world, cultivate a deeper relationship with salmon, and learn very practical and traditional ways of transforming raw fish skins into leather. We will cover the complete tanning process using different tannin sources and methods and explore the incredible world of natural dyes. This is an introductory course but you will leave with a depth of understanding that will enable you to make fish leather in your own home tannery (kitchen) for use in your own creative and practical projects!

No experience necessary and all supplies and materials are provided.

Janey Chang is an Artist + Educator Fish Skin Tanner + Revivalist on a path to remembering how to be human and alive through the (re)learning of ancestral skills. She is a first generation Chinese Canadian woman living on beautiful Skwxwú7mesh and Tsleil-Waututh Territory at the foot of the mountains and close to the ocean. Her main art form is salmon skin leather, where she gives new life to salmon skins that are destined for waste from the restaurant industry. Learning this traditional ancestral skill has helped to connect her to her Chinese heritage as well as to K’emk’emelay/Vancouver, the land she calls home. This passion has evolved into her livelihood, and she has had the honour of teaching fish leather classes to many humans, including indigenous communities who have distant memories of this old ancestral skill.

Make this an all exclusive weekend getaway and book a room in advance at Willow Grove Inn at a reduced workshop rate. 

Rooms: $78.00+tax a night double occupancy

Meals+tax :  Breakfast $20

                          Lunch $10

                          Dinner $30

 TIMES and DATES:   2 DAY WORKSHOP 

                                          9 am to 4pm Saturday the 30 OCT  

                                          9 am to 4pm Sunday the 31  OCT    

Place: Willow Grove B&B Inn and Traditional Arts School

               5714 Horsefly RD, Horsefly.

Workshop Cost per person:  250.00plus tax 

Covid safety protocol will be in effect.  Distancing and face masks are required.

Bring a lunch unless you have pre ordered meals.

If there is a lot of interest the class will be moved to the Community Hall.  

You will be informed of any change in location by email.