Batik techniques have been practiced in Indonesia for over a thousand years, and today it is not only a way to decorate fabric for clothing and sarongs, but also a legitimate artistic medium. Traditional Balinese batiking involves hot melted wax, which protects cloth fibers from colored dyes. The wax is applied with either a tjap (pronounced “chop”), an intricate metal stamp or a tjanting needle for delicate handwork. After looking at images of Balinese art for inspiration, the eighth graders created their own designs to wax and transferred them in pencil onto fabric stretched on frames. The students alternated between applying layers of wax with tjanting needles and dye until their design was complete; they then ironed off the wax to reveal the stunning images. As a special treat, our own resident Renaissance man, Chef David, visited the class to share some of the incredible batik shirts he created!