MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Join Photographer Shane Powers and the Resilience Project at Middletown Art Center this Saturday, Jan. 6, from noon to 5 p.m. for the third and final Alternative Photographic Processes workshop.

“This week, the whole session will be dedicated to making prints using Cyanotype and Van Dyke Brown,” explained Powers. “Both are contact printing processes that use ultraviolet light to make an image on paper, fabric and other surfaces. Both are very versatile process with endless creative possibilities not only for photographers, but for artists and makers of all kinds!”

Powers added, “This is our third session and our focus will be preparing and printing your images. Bring digital images on a camera, phone, or thumb drive to be made into negatives, objects or mementos to collage into a photogram, or an idea for a drawing make on a transparency.”

One of the very first photographic printing processes, cyanotype – also known as the “blue print” – was discovered in the mid-1800s.

Van Dyke Brown was discovered in the late 19th century. Both provide a means to copy or print images by exposing coated paper (or other surfaces) to ultraviolet light. The chemical mixture is safe and “developed” using water.

Early on, architects used cyanotype to copy line drawings while naturalists used the technique to “photocopy” images of plants as field notes. Van Dyke brown, also known as the sepia print, was developed initially specifically for photography.

Adults and teens age 12 and up, whether new to art making or professionals, are encouraged to come and experiment with this intriguing and magical technique.

The cost is just $5 thanks to a Local Impact Grant from the California Arts Council with additional support from Adventist Health.

Please visit MAC’s Web site at www.middletownartcenter.org/resilience for details and to reserve your spot, as space is limited, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-809-8118.

MAC is located at 21456 State Highway 175 at the junction highway 29 in Middletown.