September 23 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Experience the magic of Cyanotype photo exposure at Heritage Park. Weather-permitting (no rain), Guelph Art IRL artist Beck Stanbra will be in the park exposing a large-scale (~12″ by 40″) photo on September 23 from 12:00 to 1:00 and 2:30 to 3:30.
The project involves photographing domestic portraits of 8 queer individuals or couples in the Guelph community. These portraits will explore connection, identity, and intimacy, seeking to capture “snapshots” of the unique Guelph queer culture. Each of these portraits will be printed using Cyanotype on fabric in Guelph public parks, allowing anyone in the area to observe, ask questions, and be involved. The goal to use documentary style photography as a means to showcase the unique and diverse queer community of Guelph on a broader public scale.
From the artist: “The cyanotype process is one of the earliest developed photographic techniques. It uses the reaction between two iron salts – ferric ammonium citrate, and potassium ferricyanide. When combined together, these chemicals create a light sensitive mixture that develops into a beautiful Prussian blue. I tried the Cyanotype process initially during my undergraduate degree, and I was drawn to the way it felt like a fusion between photography and printmaking. It allows me to capture these tender, private moments, and express them in a very physical and technical way. I enjoy exploring its technical limits, and I find that the blues that it creates have such a soft and dreamy feeling that speaks to the intimacy and soft moments of the stories I am sharing.”
Art In Real Life (Art IRL) is a project developed by the City of Guelph and delivered by Guelph Arts Council. Beck Stanbra is the 2026 Art IRL artist.
*NOTE: WEATHER-PERMITTING OUTDOOR EVENT. RAIN WILL FORCE POSTPOSEMENT*
