Richmond residents can learn printmaking, cyanotype and how to press and keep plant samples at a series of free workshops led by a Canadian artist, starting later this month.
At the eight workshops – presented by Richmond Public Library (RPL) in partnership with the City of Richmond Public Art Program – artist Rachel Rozanski will be presenting “Exploring Ecology Through Place,” examining how different aspects of the local ecology intertwine with art.
The workshops, which will run from the end of May through October, are a way for the community to connect with local artists and collaborate on “socially-oriented artworks,” according to RPL.
In May and June, Rozanski – one of Richmond’s 2021 Engaging Artist in Community – will lead Gyotaku workshops, a traditional form of Japanese printmaking, followed by two workshops in June and July that will focus on cyanotype, a printing process that uses the sun to create prints on paper.
Later in the summer, Rozanski will teach seniors and children how to create their own field book for collecting, pressing and keeping plant samples, while the final two workshops will feature a StoryWalk journey around Minoru Park Playground for children and their families.
The first workshop takes place on May 29 and registration for all of the workshops is now open. All are free to attend, and people can register for one or several of them, however, spaces are limited and are expected to fill up quickly.
All of the activities will be in line with COVID-19 provincial health orders and presented in “a safe and controlled way,” according to RPL.
In her work, Rozanski has explored biological, geological and material transformations appearing across local landscapes. She has also completed residency projects in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Iceland.
Workshop participants can follow Rozanski’s progress at exploringecology.wixsite.com. The workshop series will wrap up in November with a celebration of her collaboration with the community, with a final legacy project to be unveiled for public display at a RPL branch.
