Coastal Cyanotypes: A Hands-On Workshop in Seaweed Foraging and Sun Printing
June 14, 9am-1pm — Seal Rocks, Oregon
Join Alanna Kieffer, marine biologist and forager, and Oriana Poindexter, marine biologist and photographic artist, for an in-depth seaweed cyanotype workshop, including both fresh seaweed collection as well as making cyanotypes with your harvest! This workshop will teach participants the basics of creating a cyanotype print using freshly harvested native seaweed species. You will learn ecology of Oregon’s rocky shores, sustainable harvest of seaweeds, and the history and technique of creating cyanotypes, all while harvesting your own seaweed and creating your own cyanotype prints to take home.
Start on the beach at Seal Rocks, an abundant and diverse seaweed site, where Alanna Kieffer will provide an introduction to the ecology of the Pacific Northwest, including tides, general oceanography, seasonal ocean conditions and identification of native seaweed species. Alanna will demonstrate how to sustainably harvest seaweed and participants will get to harvest their own seaweed to use in their prints.
Then we’ll head just above the high tide line, where Oriana Poindexter, California-based photographer and marine scientist, will dive into the fundamentals of this early photographic process (developed in the 1840s!), its history and contemporary use, and will culminate with each participant creating three of their own original cyanotype prints - usually something frame worthy.
The resulting prints are records of the state of the ocean and your creative process on that particular day, recorded in the blue and white palette of the sea itself. Cyanotype is an alternative photographic process used to create photographic prints in the distinctive shade of Prussian blue and white without the use of a camera, exposed with the sun and developed in water.
With the collection of living seaweeds in Oregon only runs from March 1 - June 15th. Now is your chance to make cyanotypes using freshly harvested specimens! If you have materials you’d like to bring to use for printing (sentimental objects, dried botanicals, etc), please feel free to bring them.
All ages are welcome. Children below the age of 16 must be accompanied by a ticketed parent or guardian.
Meet Oriana (and check out her work here)
Oriana Poindexter is a photographer and marine scientist. Her work opens dialogues about our relationship with the changing biodiversity of the ocean using traditional and alternative photo processes. She holds an M.A.S. from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a B.A. from Princeton University. Her work has been published by Smithsonian Magazine, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and exhibited at the Oceanside Museum of Art, the Center for Fine Art Photography, and the San Diego Public Library.
Poindexter has led more than 20 seaweed cyanotype workshops to groups of all ages, partnering with organizations and brands including Patagonia, Usal Project, InterContinental Hotels, The Ocean Institute, and UC San Diego’s Alumni Association.
She is currently in Newport, Oregon as the Artist-in-Residence at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center, where she’s collaborating with reserachers to create an exhibit at HMSC, opening in August 2025.
-
This workshop will be held near Newport, OR. An exact address will be sent upon registration.
-
Foraging requires some significant walking including some potentially difficult terrain, including slippery and unstable rocks. Please wear appropriate footgear (e.g. tennis shoes, rainboots, or other hiking footwear). Whatever you don't mind getting wet that will also keep your feet stable. For your own safety and comfort, do not wear flipflops or sandals. Do keep in mind your feet are likely to be in the water at some point, so rainboots are what I would strongly recommend.
-
No license is needed to harvest seaweed in Oregon as long as you are within the season (March 1 - June 15).
-
Be prepared for any weather! For seaweed foraging you’ll need a pair of scissors or a knife, and a gallon size bag or bucket. If you have any botanicals or items that you would like to print you can also bring them along.
Please do NOT bring dogs. I love the furry friends but this is a hands on group activity and they can make it a little challenging for the group overall. Thank you!
-
Cancellations made prior to 10 days from the time of the event will get a full refund (minus processing fees) or be rescheduled. Within 10 days of the workshop time, I will do my best to schedule someone but if I cannot fill the spot, no refund will be available.
-
The coast is often unpredictable. Events will happen rain or shine. Please be prepared for any and all types of weather. If ocean conditions are unsafe on the day of the event, we will do what we can to educate and have a full lesson while keeping everyone safe.
If weather on this day prevents us from being able to print on the beach we will have a close by back up location.