MARION — T-shirts, scrunchies, masks and socks were only a few of the items budding chemists tie-dyed outside of the Marion Natural History Museum on Wednesday, April 26. 

Aubrey Arsenault-Sousa, 10, and Sophia Goodman, 10, got creative and decided to color the world around them. 

“Let’s make the flowers pink,” said Goodman pointing at a patch of dandelions. “Don’t forget the grass,” added Arsenault-Sousa. 

Luckily, the fiber reactive dye used by the children is environmentally friendly, according to instructor Dr. William “Tobey” Dills. 

“Purple grass will still do photosynthesis,” said Dills. 

Dills instructed participants to fold their T-shirts into a spiral design.

“If you’re a science geek like me it will look like a galaxy of stars,” said Dills. “But if you’re not, it will look like a cinnamon roll.”

As a retired chemistry professor, Dills has used his tie-dye presentation to demonstrate chemical reactions. He explained that dipping the clothing in a neutral base mixture will enhance the color of the dye.

“You know how in art or science they always tell you not to make a mess?,” said Dills. “Well today we are going to get messy.”

Tie-dye artists gathered their gloves, rubber bands and dye droppers. They prepared to choose their preferred design and colors.

“You are all ready to dye,” Dills said with a laugh. 

Arsenault-Sousa created an ombre design using every color of dye.

“This was supposed to be blue but it turned out blueish-greenish,” she said pointing to a section of her t-shirt. “So I decided to mix all of them.”