Blueprints of the Sea with Dr Inke Falkner (NEW!)

About the workshop: Marine algae are fascinating – they are photosynthesising organisms that are not plants, but marine algae which range in size from microscopic to over 50m long. Some algae are the fastest-growing living organisms on Earth. Macroalgae, or seaweeds, create diverse and complex underwater forests which deliver food, shelter, and habitat to a vast array of other marine life, including fish, invertebrates, and mammals. In this workshop we explore the fascinating world of macroalgae found on the New South Wales south coast. We will be working with fresh and dried specimens and have the opportunity to closely observe and discover the forms and functional elements of each type, while learning how to print using cyanotype techniques with natural materials. Date: 3 - 4 October 2026 Day/Times: Saturday & Sunday, 9.30am - 4.00pm Venue: NatureArt Lab, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith, ACT Learning outcomes: • Understanding what seaweeds are, where they thrive, and what makes them special. • Introduction to the history of nature printing and the life of Anna Atkins, the woman who was the first to document British marine algae using cyanotype printing. • Ability to make detailed impressions of natural materials. • Exploration of various cyanotype printing techniques, e.g. dry and wet. • Creating an explosion book to tell a visual story. Experience/Pre-requisites: Suitable for people aged 16+, all levels of experience. Materials List: All materials are included. About the tutor: Dr Inke Falkner considers herself an artsy scientist, a marine biologist and science communicator who has experienced firsthand that creativity and art are fantastic tools for understanding and connecting with the natural world. Inke particularly loves nature printing, which is experimental, spontaneous, and allows her to interpret nature's interconnectedness and display of shapes, patterns and textures. Having moved to Braidwood from Sydney in 2017, Inke still visits the coast regularly to get her ocean fix. She is a classic beachcomber and finds it endlessly fascinating to investigate and learn about the creatures that inhabit the sea. In this workshop, Inke will introduce you to marine macroalgae, the fascinating organisms that form underwater forests, using these organisms as both subject and tool to explore their form, colour, and story through the art of nature printing. Join Inke for a weekend of hands-on creativity, discovery, and the simple joy of making. Artwork image: Inke Falkner NatureArt Lab Awards 2022, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Promoting Sustainability, ACT; and National Finalist Award 2024, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Building Communities, ACT; and National Finalist Award 2025, Telstra Best of Business Award Finalist for Promoting Sustainability, ACT; and Finalist for Accelerating Women, ACT 2025, Awards Australia Semi-Finalist for Connecting Communities, NSW and ACT; and Semi-Finalist for Small Business Award NSW and ACT.