Weed love to see you there
Satisfy your curiosity about kelp and other vegetative denizens of the deep at the new exhibit at Newport’s Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, “The Curious World of Seaweed,” opening on Thursday, May 25, with an opening reception from 4 to 7 pm.
The exhibit, which runs through October 1, will come alive with a slew of activities including talks, hands on activities and even a live tattoo demonstration on the weekend of Friday, June 2, through Sunday, June 4. Registration is now open and encouraged for the special hands-on art workshop, “Art and Algae,” with San Francisco artist and author Josie Iselin.
Love the ocean? Want to make some art? 12 lucky people will have the opportunity to interact one-on-one with Iselin on Saturday, June 3.
Iselin introduces students of all ages to the alternative photography technique of cyanotype, or blue, printing using her vast collection of dried seaweed specimens as image-making material. This is an excellent way to learn some basics of seaweed biology and ecology as well as being a basic photography class requiring only sunlight and water. The workshop has been successfully run with an array of ages, with artists and scientists, teachers, and students.
“This is a fun class that people of all skill levels can do,” Executive Director Susan Tissot said. “You do not have to be artistically inclined. I have personally taken this class and I do not consider myself an artist. I can’t even draw stick people! I enjoyed playing around with the different dried seaweeds and the sunlight exposure which resulted in some very cool paper art.”
The workshop is three hours long and has been run in all weather, sun, fog and even rain. The only requirements are part sun, part shade and access to water.
“The end results are joyous and revelatory,” Iselin said. “While making art, participants have learned about an ocean ecology they haven’t thought much about before.”
Iselin makes all the photosensitive paper beforehand on fine art watercolor paper in varying sizes so everyone can go home with four or five prints of their own.
Because the number of participants is limited, anyone interested is encouraged to register now; the fee is non-refundable but is transferable
Cost is $90, or $85 for Lincoln County Historical Society members. All materials are included. Participants should bring a brown bag lunch.
The workshop begins at 11 am at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, located at 333 SE Bay Blvd. in Newport. For more information, go to oregoncoasthistory.org.