Hello
We are located in Rockvale, Tennessee
Welcome to Ecology of Color, a place to learn about nature and find inspiration for your art practice.
As foragers and gardeners, we know that each plant, mushroom, and rock tells a story of ecological relationships and connection. Our mission is to tell the story of ecology and color while building community and nourishing our inner artist. Thank you for joining us!
Alison Webb, Ph.D.
I graduated with a B.S. and M.S. in Biology from Middle Tennessee State University and a Ph.D. in Ecology from Utah State University. During graduate school, I served as a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow, where I was extensively trained in bringing academic-level research to a broader audience. This experience inspired me to start my own business and bring science and art-integrated classes to my community.
Our Farm
After 10 years on the West Coast, our family moved back to our long-rooted family home in Middle Tennessee. Here we decided to grow our little business (and a lot of plants) in Rockvale, TN. A 25-acre plot of land with a farmhouse built in 1815. A space for us to garden, foster native species, remove invasive plants, and offer in-person art and science workshops while building community.
Classroom
We offer a comfortable indoor classroom with a bathroom, kitchenette, and refrigerator for storing lunch items. Most workshops include a mix of indoor and outdoor time, as noted in each class description. Class sizes are limited to 10 participants to ensure a relaxed, high-quality experience for everyone.
Gardens
As of summer 2025, we are building a large garden which will feature natural dye plants, plant-based textile fibers, and a host of edible & medicinal plants. ​
Historic Farmhouse
Originally built in 1815 as a one-room log cabin from cedar trees felled on the property, this home has grown and evolved through many additions and renovations over the past 200 years. The most recent of these came from Alison’s family when she was a child. If you’re interested in old houses and their stories, be sure to ask—we’ve uncovered plenty of fascinating details along the way!
Native Plant Sanctuary
Our property in Middle Tennessee is part of a large glade complex, characterized by shallow soil, limestone rock, and a remarkable diversity of plants that thrive in the region’s alkaline, clay-rich ground.
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A tributary of the Harpeth River winds through the land, creating a habitat for moisture-loving species like Black Willow and Box Elder.
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Alison completed both her undergraduate and master’s research in the Cedar Glades of Middle Tennessee, and restoring this land to its natural ecotype has been a long-held dream—one that continues to guide the work we do here today.