Sun, Science and Soul is a community cyanotype project led by artist Daniela Sbrisny of Blueschein Printshed, which will be delivered in partnership with the community programmes at St Luke’s Church Downham and St Mark’s Church Downham. The project is supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry and will run from 26th March to the end of September 2026.
Through a series of hands-on workshops, participants will explore the historic cyanotype printing process, a photographic technique discovered by scientist Sir John Herschel in 1842. The process uses a light-sensitive iron salt solution that reacts with sunlight to create vivid blue prints, revealing the silhouettes of plants, objects and drawings placed on coated paper.
The project invites local residents to experiment with this meeting point of art, chemistry and nature. Participants will collect botanical materials, create personal compositions, and develop their prints using sunlight and water, learning about the science behind the process while also reflecting on their surroundings and community. Cyanotype, as other forms of visual art, is a powerful educational tool because it combines creative practice with the chemistry of light-sensitive materials and the observation of natural forms and can bring to light new perspectives and understanding.
“Sun, Science and Soul” aims to nurture curiosity, wellbeing, and creative expression within the Downham community. By bringing together the wonder of sunlight, the principles of chemistry, and the reflective space of artistic making, the project will culminate in a body of collective cyanotype prints celebrating local stories, nature, and shared experience.
Participation is free and all materials will be provided.
The workshops will be held at 2 locations in Downham.
Here are the provisional dates:
- Thursday 10th September, 11am-3pm, St Mark’s
-Tuesday 15th September, 10am-1pm, St Mark's
- Thursday 17th September, 9.30am-11.30am, St Luke’s
- Friday 25th September, 10am-2pm, St Luke’s
Dates are subject to change – updates can be found of Instagram @Blueschein or
FB @BluescheinPrintshed
Address:
St Luke’s Church – Northover, Bromley, BR1 5JR
St Mark’s Church – Baudwin Rd, Catford, SE6 1RN