Learning to Batik like Barbara Leighton Demonstration

Description: Discover the Magic of Batik! Held in our museum surrounded by Barbara Leighton’s batiks. Joanne Smith will demonstrate the art of batik. Originating in Indonesia as early as the 12th century, batik was the first art form Barbara taught when she opened the Leighton Art Centre in the early 1970s, and it remained close to her heart throughout her life. Batik is created using layers of hot wax and dye to produce richly patterned fabrics such as cotton, silk, or linen. During the demonstration, you will observe the process step by step, including different methods of applying wax with traditional tools and dyes. This demonstration provides a behind-the-scenes look at the techniques and patience involved in batik, offering insight into the artistry Barbara so deeply loved.

Audience: Suitable for All Ages

Level of Experience: All levels of experience 

Registration cost: FREE, no registration necessary

Time: 10 am – 4 pm, ongoing throughout the day, so stop in at any time.

Artist/ Instructor Biography: For batik artist Joanne Smith (BEd, BBS) of Diamond Valley, Alberta, creating art in a diversity of forms has been a lifelong passion; inherited from generations of highly creative women, and deeply inspired by a school field trip to Leighton Art Centre in 1978. Her fascination with batik was re-sparked a few years ago when she taught the technique to her high school art students. Since then, she has travelled around North America taking workshops to enhance her skills under the tutelage of various Batik Masters. She has written articles for The Batik Guild and has had her batiks featured in their newsletters and calendars. Her batik entry received honourable mention in the 2024/25 International Year of Batik competition and is featured on their website.