Exploring Cochineal Tones: Natural Dye Workshop with Noé Jacinto

Join Mexican artist Noé Jacinto, currently exhibiting his work in PÚRPURA: Del Nopal al Papel (From cactus to paper) at the Institute, for a hands-on workshop exploring the rich possibilities of cochineal dye. Through guided experimentation with a variety of natural and chemical modifiers—including hydrogen peroxide, ferrous sulfate, salt, bicarbonate, alum, citric acid (lime), calcium carbonate, chlorine, and alcohol—participants will discover the wide spectrum of tones that can be achieved from grana cochinilla, a vibrant natural pigment.

Cochineal dye is a brilliant crimson-red colorant derived from the dried bodies of the Dactylopius coccus insect, native to prickly pear cacti in Mexico and South America. Long valued in traditional and contemporary practices, it offers a unique intersection of history, science, and art.

Participants will explore mark-making techniques and learn how to incorporate this ancestral material into their own artistic practice. By the end of the workshop, each attendee will create and take home their own dyed piece.

Noé Jacinto, a painter from the coastal region of Oaxaca, draws from a rich artistic tradition rooted in one of Mexico’s most culturally vibrant states. His work reflects the energy and textures of the tropics, often featuring elements of local flora and fauna—owls, pelicans, hummingbirds, crabs—reimagined through a distinctive visual language that blends atmosphere, color, and narrative.

Date: Thursday, May 7, 6:30 PM (3-hour workshop)
Location: Mexican Cultural Institute
Tickets: $25 USD (materials included)