Project Description
The worlds of Art and Science come together in this fun, exploratory experience. During this residency, students will learn about one of the earliest photographic processes, the cyanotype, and expand their definition of what photography means. After being prompted to think poetically about the color blue, students will use organic matter and/or transparencies to create their own compositions, which will then be exposed by sunlight to create photographic images.
Final Product
At the end of this workshop, each student will have their own cyanotype photogram to display at home.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will develop a brief understanding for the history of photography and an expanded definition of what constitutes a photograph.
- Students will be able to discuss their images using vocabulary specific to the printing process.
- Students will be exposed to conceptual art-making by reflecting on the color blue and how they might visually convey an idea or feeling associated with a specific color.
- Students will be introduced to several basic design principles, which will be taught to help them create a visually interesting composition with the provided materials.
- Students will learn how to safely work with photographic chemistry, either through safely applying cyanotype formula to their own paper (older grades) or through a demonstration of how the chemicals are applied (K-5).
Suggested Grades
- Appropriate for all grade levels.
Pricing Breakdown
- 4 visits at 45 minutes each
- Prep hours: 3 hours per classroom
- Materials: $3 per student
- Travel from Eugene
*This residency requires access to the outdoors to create the photograms.
*Access to water is helpful, but not required.
Meet the Artist
Why I teach:
“I love to teach art because I believe in art’s power to transform. We are born naturally curious investigators of this world; art gives us a means through which we can ask questions and seek answers. Art empowers us to discover – ourselves and our world.” -Yaro Shon Neils
