Sowing Circle Presents: Botanical Cyanotype for Beginners

Join us at the library on Saturday, September 23rd from 10:30am-12:30pm for a special adult workshop in which we will learn about and create cyanotypes. The cyanotype is a beautiful historical process using sunlight and photographic chemistry hand-applied to watercolor paper to yield wondrous blue and white images. 

This process was first discovered in 1842 by a young female botanist, Anna Atkins, and her mentor, William Henry Fox Talbot. Anna Atkins is considered the first female photographer, and later produced the first photographic book using the cyanotype process to document British algae in 1853! Virtually visit the Natural History Museum, London, here to learn more and see a copy of Anna’s book.

In this workshop, students will each create multiple cyanotype prints using natural or found objects. All materials will be provided but participants may bring their own pressed plants from their gardens. No experience is necessary. 

Registration required. Click here to register or visit the Black Mountain Library’s event calendar page 

About our Instructor: Laurie Schorr is a teaching artist from Hickory, NC. She is on the faculty of Catawba Valley Community College and is the former Director of Education at the Light Factory Photo Arts Center in Charlotte. This program is supported by the Friends of the Black Mountain Library. Please help us continue to bring programming to our community by becoming a member of the Friends of the Black Mountain Library or making a financial gift.