During a recent residence at THREAD, artist Andrea Bergart created drawings and solar prints in the remote village of Sinthian located in the South Eastern region of Senegal. Andrea printed with objects that reflect both daily routines and cultural signifiers including broken tiles, peanut shells, prayer beads and teapots. She lead Jacquard cyanotype workshops with women, schoolchildren and key community members who were asked to bring objects that reflect their lives.

Artist Andrea Bergart recently returned from the United Arab Emirates, where she led solar printing workshops with students and community members of Ras Al Khaimah, using Jacquard’s Pre-treated Cyanotype Fabric. Bergart was the The Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation’s Fall 2018 U. S. Embassy Artist Grant recipient. The U.S. Artist Grant, funded by the U.S. Mission to the United Arab Emirates, is one of the many ways the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate General in Dubai seek to better connect Americans, Emiratis, and their vibrant cultures in the hopes of establishing a broader and deeper mutual understanding.

Cyanotype is an antique photographic printing process, developed in the mid 1800’s and distinctive for its rich blue color. Jacquard’s high-quality cotton sateen fabric sheets come pre-sensitized for cyanotype and ready to use, making sun printing easier than ever before. Just pull a sheet out of the package, place objects or film on top, expose to light, rinse and dry and you’ll have a rich, detailed print.

Here’s a gallery of photos from a recent Cyanotype Zendoodling session at a local school, a fun and easy project featuring components of our Cyanotype Class Pack: Cyanotype Fabric Sheets, Film Markers, SolarFast Film …and the creativity of some awesome 4th/5th graders.