2025 MAEA Art retreat with Rikka Walters
MAEA 2025 Art Retreat Cyanotypes
Rikka Walters
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY Rikka Walters grew up in Ryegate, MT which is miles away from many things, but remains close to her heart. While growing up in a rural community with limited resources, Walters learned to think outside the box concerning traditional art supplies. As a result, she will often make art with alternative media and found objects, and steer clear of precious or expensive materials. In fact, many of her art supplies come from the clearance rack, thrift stores, or backalley dumpsters. Walters names herself a Processor, always contemplating and examining life. Her art is often a documentation of her life, a reflection on an event, or a metaphor of her thoughts. Walters has always been interested in the process of artmaking because, for her, expression through art is a journey rather than a destination. In June, 2024, Walters participated in a 4-day “Alternative Approaches to Photography” workshop at the Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek, WI paid for with a grant from the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation. It was there Walters learned about cyanotype printing, and her obsession with cyanotyping began. Walters has been making cyanotypes weekly (if not daily!) ever since! Walters graduated from U of MT with a BA in Fine Art in 2002, and MSU-B with a Masters in Education in 2023. Since 2001, she has taught weekend ceramics classes to elementary-aged students, facilitated after school art programs for middle schoolers, managed the art program for a Boys and Girls Club, remains an Art Merit Badge Counselor for BSA Scouting, and is currently completing her fourth year as a high school art teacher. |
CYANOTYPE WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
Imagine dedicating 20 hours to learning art processes and making art! Centrally located and set in the beautiful and historic Paris Gibson Education Center of Art in Great Falls, MT, workshop participants will be fully immersed in an alternative photographic technique called cyanotype. Geared towards educators, but open to the public, this workshop hits all the buttons for lovers of photography, science, documentation, and art. Cyanotype is an amazing gateway into the world of art for new and budding artists because the results are high-impact and drawing skills are not required. That said, experienced artists will enjoy the challenge of mastering the cyanotype technique which includes many entry points for altering prints. Participants can expect to bring home a collection of 10-15 prints, handouts and resources on the cyanotype process, and a wealth of knowledge. |
Retreat 2025 at
Paris Gibson Education Center
April 10 - 12th, 2025
One college credit from UM Western or OPI Renewal Units will be available.
Attendance will be taken in-order to receive credit or units.
Attendance will be taken in-order to receive credit or units.
SCHEDULE CYANOTYPE WORKSHOP
INSTRUCTOR: Rikka Walters
Thursday April 10th
4:30 - 5:00 pm Check-in Paris Gibson Education Center
5:00 - 5:30 pm Get to know Rikka – short slideshow presentation
5:30 - 9:00 pm History and science behind cyanotype
-Comparing cyanotype to traditional b/w photography
-Literature using cyanotypes
-Troubleshooting exposure options
-Printing indoors with blacklights
-Toning prints with tea or citric acid
Friday April 11th
9:00 - Noon Traditional wet/dry cyanotypes using sunlight
Noon - 1:30 pm Lunch on your own
1:30 - 5:30 pm Altering prints
-washing soda, peroxide, turmeric, alcohol, salt, etc.
-colored pencils, inks, watercolors, etc.
-weaving, collage, etc.
5:30 - 7:00 pm Dinner (we can do potluck or dinner on your own)
-Let’s discuss teaching strategies and learning objectives
7:00 - 9:00 pm Show and share art show and critique
-Let’s discuss ways to display finished pieces
Saturday April 12th
9:00 - 12:00 pm Cyanotyping continues....
-all materials will be available for use
-possible round-robin print exchange????
12:00 pm Paperwork for credits and renewal units
12:15 pm Workshop ends
INSTRUCTOR: Rikka Walters
Thursday April 10th
4:30 - 5:00 pm Check-in Paris Gibson Education Center
5:00 - 5:30 pm Get to know Rikka – short slideshow presentation
5:30 - 9:00 pm History and science behind cyanotype
-Comparing cyanotype to traditional b/w photography
-Literature using cyanotypes
-Troubleshooting exposure options
-Printing indoors with blacklights
-Toning prints with tea or citric acid
Friday April 11th
9:00 - Noon Traditional wet/dry cyanotypes using sunlight
Noon - 1:30 pm Lunch on your own
1:30 - 5:30 pm Altering prints
-washing soda, peroxide, turmeric, alcohol, salt, etc.
-colored pencils, inks, watercolors, etc.
-weaving, collage, etc.
5:30 - 7:00 pm Dinner (we can do potluck or dinner on your own)
-Let’s discuss teaching strategies and learning objectives
7:00 - 9:00 pm Show and share art show and critique
-Let’s discuss ways to display finished pieces
Saturday April 12th
9:00 - 12:00 pm Cyanotyping continues....
-all materials will be available for use
-possible round-robin print exchange????
12:00 pm Paperwork for credits and renewal units
12:15 pm Workshop ends
Materials to bring to retreat
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Materials Provided
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2400 Central Ave, Great Falls, MT 59401
Lodging (click on image to go to lodging page. Working on a Teachers discount Hotels coming soon.
Check out some of Great Fall's AirB&B. Save the cost of lodging by staying together!