On July 16 and 23, Wonder’neath is presenting  *Bioplastic Fantastic*, a two-part workshop by artist Catherine Euale, @slimy_futures! 

What if your garments, packaging, or objects were made from seaweed? Halifax sits at the edge of the Atlantic, and the ocean is full of material possibilities we're only beginning to work with. In this hands-on two-part lab, we explore the slimy, tactile, surprisingly beautiful world of bioplastics and bio-based composites. We will experiment with casting, spinning and moulding objects from seaweed, eggshells, dehydrated kitchen scraps, fibres and natural pigments.

Part 1: Alginate FoundationsWe begin with sodium alginate, a polysaccharide derived from brown algae, learning the principles of hydrocolloid gelation. You'll cast flexible films and "bioyarns", experiment with calcium chloride baths, and play with dyes, fibres, and inclusions to develop your own material palette.

Part 2: Composites & Gellants In our second session, we introduce additional gelling agents like chitin, agar and various starch powders and fabrication techniques to create more complex composites and mould or extrude them into various shapes. We'll experiment with "bio-ceramics," stiff, lightweight composites made from food waste powders like eggshells, coffee grounds and oyster or mussel shells.

No science background is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to get your hands slimy. Suitable for visual artists, designers, makers, textile crafters, costume designers, and experimental enthusiasts! 

Catherine is a Venezuelan-Canadian bio-artist, citizen scientist, and storyteller, dedicated to deepening our relationships with the more-than-human. Her practice blends biology, conceptual art, digital fabrication, and open-source citizen science to create immersive, research-based pieces that explore the boundaries of interspecies communication, bioethics, and speculative futures.

The session will run from 5-9pm on July 16 and 23, 2026 at Wonder’neath, 2482 Maynard Street.

Capacity: Minimum 7 participants, max 12 participants. Materials included.

Image description:

Image 1: A close-up of a shiny, textured bio sheet. Bold text reads: “Bioplastic Fantastic with Catherine Euale of Slimy Futures.” Event details: Thursday July 16 and 23, $175. A small “Wonderneath Art Society” logo appears on the left.

Image 2: A variety of bioplastic samples made by Catherine.

Image 3: blue Algae bioyarn

Image 4: Catherine in algae / sargassum garment on the coast of Quintana To, Mexico

Image 1-3 photo credit: @future.wardrobe.project