TUCSON, ARIZONA (November 6, 2025) -- " is a fascinating look at the colors used: Indigo Blue, Cochineal Red, Rabbit Brush Yellow, in Navajo textile design. For centuries, dyes held a valued spot both for the Navajo and in the world economy, coveted by the wealthy to create hierarchy and status.
From gathering the finest of wool, to infusing design using special dye formulas and patterns passed down generationally, the Navajo weaver’s process in creating majestic textiles is a special, unique story. “Colors to Dye For” examines the history of dye- making, both in adding color to Navajo textiles and in the Old World’s race to create new colors for the “most fashionable.” The making of color, for centuries, has been a journey of deep intrigue, wealth and power.
Join us as we explore the mysteries of indigo, cochineal red, and other vegetal dyes, as well as these powerful dyes’ worldwide impact on fashion and the global economy!
Special Events for this exhibition will be announced through our website: www.tucsonDART.org
About the Tucson Desert Art Museum: The Tucson Desert Art Museum, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, opened its doors on November 1, 2013, with a mission to display art and artifacts of the Desert Southwest and its surrounding regions, and educate our guests about the history, cultures, and art of the region. At the core of the Museum is one of the Southwest’s premier collections of Navajo and Hopi pre-1940s textiles as well as a diverse range of historical artifacts, classic and contemporary Southwestern paintings.
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