The first book printed featuring photographic images was made in 1843 by Anna Atkins, an English botanist and photographer. Atkins pioneered the use of the cyanotype process to capture images of algae, ferns, flowers, and other plants. Cyanotype is a camera-less photographic printing process that allows the artist to explore shape, light, and an appreciation for nature. In this class, learn the history of this process and create your own cyanotypes using plant material harvested from Mt. Cuba Center. No experience needed. This program takes place in-person (at Mt. Cuba Center) Saturday, September 24 (Rain Date: Saturday, October 1) About the Instructor: Shelly Silva is the digital marketing assistant at Mt. Cuba Center. She has a BFA in Fine Art Photography from Corcoran College of Art & Design and an MS in Management from Wilmington University. When she isn’t taking pictures or videos for Mt. Cuba’s social platforms, she continues to practice her art with botanical cyanotypes, chalkboard lettering signs, and painting through her brand, Painted Fern Designs.