“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit ”
Alex Foster is an interdisciplinary artist working with natural dyes and printing with plants on fabric. They were born and raised in Roanoke Virginia, nurtured by Blue Ridge Mountain breezes and the winding paths of the Appalachian Trail. Though not adept at sports, Alex has always been distracted by the restlessness of their hands.
As a child, Alex was often found tying knots, making scarves and jewelry from rope, twigs, and cloth. They went on to earn a BFA in Studio Art from James Madison University, concentrating on Fibers and Material Studies. A deep love for fabric has led them to work as a studio assistant at Aya Fiber Studio on the Treasure Coast of Florida, an apprenticeship as a costume stitcher for the American Shakespeare Center, and multiple work-study fellowships at Arrowmont School of Art and Craft.
Foster was awarded the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Artist of the year in 2020. They teach workshops across Virginia and the Appalachian region. Foster’s work investigates the human fallacy of separation, from the natural world and one another, through color and cloth.
Follow @fosterfiber on Instagram to learn more about the natural dye and printing process. Please reach out to learn more about future workshop and collaboration opportunities.