Art & Algae: Cyanotype printing with Seaweed and Sunlight
Visual Arts Workshop with Josie Iselin
June 9, 2024
Sunday, 12:00 - 3:00 PM
Structure of Class: (1) 3-hour In-person session (Stevenson & Winona)
C274 • All levels
Registration deadline: June 3, 2024
This workshop is part of the North Coast KelpFest!
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Josie will introduce participants to cyanotype printing (an alternative photographic technique) using her vast collection of dried seaweed specimens as image-making material. Josie will introduce us to her work and how she became so entwined with the fascinating world of seaweed. You will be inspired by algae's diverse biology and ecology, learn to identify a variety of green, red, and brown seaweed, and become more aware of the importance of a healthy intertidal zone and kelp forest—all while creating beautiful blue and white cyanotypes using the power of the sun. Known for its distinctive blueprint-like images, this simple, camera-less photographic technique is the same process used by pioneering, curious, and innovative botanist and photographer Anna Atkins (British, 1799-1871). Want to bring your own specimens to identify and print with? Please do! The end results are joyous and revelatory; while making art, participants have learned about an ocean ecology they haven’t thought much about before.
MATERIALS LIST: NONE
Optional supplies: Students are welcome to bring their own specimens or objects. Students are welcome to bring a bag lunch or snack.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Josie Iselin is a visual artist, writer and designer, and the author of The Curious World of Seaweed among other books. She is co-director of Above/Below, an ocean literacy campaign that created The Mysterious World of Bull Kelp (bullkelp.info)— a deep dive web story that was released at the end of 2023. Josie has been integrating cyanotype printing with her seaweed scans for many years and constantly gains inspiration from Anna Atkins, who used the nascent photographic process of cyanotypes to document her algal findings in 1840.
TUITION & FEES
Class Cost: $154
NO MEMBER DISCOUNT IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS A NON MAC WORKSHOP.
Tuition includes a required supply fee of $25 for 4-5 pieces of art on fine art paper provided by the instructor.
Current Mendocino Art Center members receive a 30% discount off each class registration! This applies to the member only and can only be used once per class. This discount is reflected in the prices above. Not a member yet? View our membership benefits and sign up today.
REFUNDS & CANCELLATIONS
Cancellations must be made in writing, either by mail or email. If you notify us at least 14 days prior to the first class meeting, you will receive a refund of tuition less a $45 cancellation fee. No refunds will be made after that date for any reason due to our contractual obligations and material acquisitions. If the Art Center is compelled to cancel a class you will receive a full tuition refund. Memberships are non-refundable as they are considered a donation to the Art Center.