The tie-dye revolution is making a grand return to Hernando County this summer—and it’s for a great cause.
The mission of the Hernando County Fine Arts Council is to encourage, promote and support all the creative arts in Hernando County and to provide a means to showcase the arts. The council works to fulfill this mission through advocacy, engagement, education, and art-inspired programs and events. They are dedicated to providing accessible opportunities that invite art into the lives of Hernando County residents and visitors. It makes sense, then, that their newest fundraising T-shirt is a sublime work of wearable art.
To support the numerous public arts events, grants, education programs and exhibits that the Hernando County Fine Arts Council offers throughout the year, the arts council has introduced a pair of fund-raising shirts for sale; one available in a plain white design, another in a rocking, ever colorful tie-dye look. The cotton blend, screen printed Gildan tie-dye T-shirts are tied and dyed by arts council members—rendering them wearable art in its truest, purest form.
“Over the years, we’ve gotten many requests for T-shirts and other merch so that people can show their support for the Arts Council,” said Jessica Knutila, administrative assistant for the Hernando County Fine Arts Council. “We are so pleased to finally offer two choices: groovy tie-dye options or plain white T-shirts for those who love a good basic.”
These fun and fashionable shirts were designed and printed locally—and with love. “The T-shirts were tie-dyed by our volunteers, so each design is a little different,” said Knutila. “There is lots of love in each one! They were locally screen-printed by Monte Designs. We love to support local when we can, and he did a fantastic job.”
The fine art of tie-dying originated in sixth-century China and Japan, where natural dyes drawn from berries, leaves, roots and flowers were boiled to create a special water in which fabrics were dutifully soaked to achieve a tie-dyed pattern. In sixth-century India, practitioners of the artistic method known as Bandhani involved the use of thread to tie off small fabric pieces in complex patterns before the fabric was dipped in dye. This method most literally set the pattern for the creative brand of tie-dying that found its American origins during the Roaring ’20s and the Great Depression, and that was all the rage during the ’60s Hippie era, in the ever-vibrant and vivid 1980s, and today.
According to Knutila, the Arts Council tie-dyed shirts come in a bright array of styles and designs. “We have sizes S–XXXL available. Since designs vary, we recommend coming into the Arts Council office and picking out your favorite!” She added, “Shipping is available as well.”
The cost of each Arts Council T-shirt is $20. Shipping can be added at checkout for $8 or free pick-up, which is available at the Arts Council office during office hours. The Hernando County Fine Arts Council office is located in the Brooksville Health Department Building at 300 S Main Street in Downtown Brooksville. The office is open Tuesdays from noon to 4:00 p.m. or by appointment. Those interested can also find Arts Council merch on the organizational website, including T-shirts, calendars, and stickers.
“The calendars are marked down to just $5 since we are halfway through the year, but they are still a fun way to support the Arts Council and learn a little bit about our programs,” said Knutila.
Visit https://www.hernandoarts.org/shop to check out some groovy tie-dye shirts! Celebrate the summer in style.
