JULY 4, 2026
A Ritual of Wishing: Community Cyanotype Project
The Exposure Photography Festival invites you to join artists Cy Yang-Smith and Leia Guo for a FREE community cyanotype-making workshop at Calgary's Historic Firehall No. 1.
SATURDAY, JULY 4
10 AM - 4 PM
Participants of ALL AGES are invited to drop in to create a cyanotype — an early photographic process that uses sunlight and water to produce a vivid prussian blue image. Inspired by Yoko Ono’s ‘event scores’, participants will be guided by a reflective prompt to arrange objects, shapes, and natural materials to create their own unique sunprints.
Each cyanotype will become a part of a growing collective artwork that reflects the perspectives, wishes, and creativity of the community. The completed installation will be assembled by the artists and exhibited at the Historic Firehall from July 27 - August 7, celebrating the many hands that helped bring it to life.
No artistic experience is required, and all materials will be provided. This is a welcoming and accessible event for all. Drop in, make art using water and sunlight, and learn about one of photography’s oldest image-making techniques under Calgary’s summer sky!
Tickets are free, but your RSVP will help us anticipate attendance and keep in touch about the event!
Historic Firehall No. 1
104 6 Ave SE, Calgary AB
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
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Morning shift: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Afternoon shift: 12:30 pm to 5 pm -
Volunteers will help create a welcoming and engaging experience for participants of all ages. Responsibilities may include:
Greeting visitors and answering basic event questions
Assisting participants through the cyanotype-making process (training provided)
Helping manage supplies and keep activity stations organized
Supporting a large-scale collaborative cyanotype activation
Assisting with event setup and/or teardown, depending on shift
Distributing refreshments and helping maintain a positive, inclusive atmosphere
No previous cyanotype experience is required—just enthusiasm, reliability, and a willingness to help make art with the community.
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As a thank-you for sharing your time, energy, and creativity with us, Exposure is pleased to offer a few tokens of appreciation. You'll receive hands-on cyanotype training, gain valuable arts and event experience, and enjoy a range of perks made possible by the generous support of our friends and community partners:
Ice cream voucher from Made by Marcus
Free submission to Exposure’s North West Showcase Open Call
Swag from The Camera Store
20% off film developing at Neat Film Lab
A wonderful experience to add to your resume
Snacks provided during your shift
We are looking for volunteers to help support this event! Sign up is available for morning and afternoon shifts, with overlap in between to help support a LARGE-SCALE activation mid-way through the day.
LED BY ARTISTS
Cy Yang-Smith (they/them) is a visual artist and photographer based in Alberta on Treaty 7 territory. Working across print, soft sculpture, photography, and text, their practice explores cultural iconography, storytelling, personal narrative, and the complexities of vulnerability and intimacy.
Yang-Smith holds a Bachelor of Design in Photography from Alberta University of the Arts (2016). Their work has been presented in solo and group exhibitions throughout Moh’kins’tsis, Calgary, Alberta. They are currently the Photography Facilitator at Banff Centre for Arts + Creativity and maintain an active commercial photography practice, working with clients across Canada.
Leia Shijie Guo (she/her) is a photographer and glass artist based in Moh'kinsstis/Calgary, Alberta. Her practice investigates materiality, image-making, and the relationship between contemporary and historical photographic techniques through photography, glass, and alternative processes.
Guo holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Glass (2022) and a Bachelor of Design in Photography (2023) from the Alberta University of the Arts. Her work has been presented in regional and international exhibitions. She maintains an active commercial photography and studio practice, creating her signature "vitreo" prints, which incorporate optical glass into traditional photographic processes.
FUNDED BY
