Our Mission
Our mission is to center global traditions and knowledge bearers of craft and natural dye through growing and processing dye plants in community, education based workshops and events, knowledge transfer through apprenticeships and classes, and to showcase sustained research and experimentation through the Ibura Art and Research Residency, The Alternative Color Lab and The Concept Store at Studio Blue.
Who We Are
Blue Light Junction is a heritage project focused on growing, processing and preserving natural dyes through their histories, traditions, enhancements and use in everyday objects. Operating within Blue Light Junction is The Alternative Color Lab, a natural dye processing center, Hidden Harvest “annex” dye garden & an educational facility.
Located at 209 McAllister Street in Central Baltimore’s Greenmount neighborhood, Blue Light Junction is an independently run studio, committed to uplifting the techniques and work of cultural practitioners of natural dyes as well as collectively growing and grounding our work in Baltimore City.
Our Story
In the Spring of 2019 Hidden Harvests’ “annex” garden became the site of an experimental dye garden led by Rosa Chang and Kenya Miles as Artists In Residence at M.I.C.A. in association with the Baltimore Natural Dye Initiative.
Blue Light Junction (BLJ) was founded in January 2020 by Kenya Miles to create a collaborative space and continue the work of growing, processing, and preserving the history of natural dyes and their artistic, practical, and commercial applications.
OUR PARTNERS
Parks & the People
Our relationship with Parks and People Foundation is important to us. The foundation has a single goal in mind: to improve the quality of life for residents of Baltimore by ensuring that everyone is connected to nature through vibrant parks and green spaces.
More Reading
Learn about the Baltimore Natural Dye Initiative, a multi-agency project that aims to explore the cultural and economic impacts of growing and using natural dyes in our region. The project brings together a diverse network of collaborators and funding partners and is supported by the Maryland Department of Commerce and the Maryland State Arts Council.
Visit The Studio
209 McAllister St
Baltimore, MD 21202
STORE HOURS
The concept store and the Alternative Library are open every Saturday 10am to 2pm
VOLUNTEERS DAYS
Come and join us at the garden every Tuesdays anytime between 5 to 7:30 pm and Saturdays between 10:30 am to to 2-3pm
OPEN STUDIO
Monthly ArtWalks every Second Friday of each month