These past couple weeks Open Studio at Inside Southwest Detroit has been led by Gabriela Baginski who welcomed youth participants aged 4 to 16 for a hands-on exploration of art and nature.
Through the use of sunlight, plants, and a bit of chemistry, the young artists created their own lumen prints and cyanotypes, turning everyday objects into beautiful compositions.
The process is captivating: everyday objects like leaves and salt transform into beautiful compositions, all guided by the sun. But this workshop isn't just about the final product—it's about the joy of experimentation and the creative journey.
How do you make art from sunlight? Gabriela encourages the youth to find out for themselves. “The sun is taking the picture for you,” she explains, as participants arrange plants and other items for their prints.
“As they explore the world around them, their confidence grows, connecting art to nature and unlocking their potential in the process.”
Throughout the workshop, mistakes become part of the process, and each unique creation is celebrated. Whether they’re painting cyanotype liquid or blowing bubbles for texture, the young artists discover that there’s no one right way to create—only infinite possibilities.
As a bonus, the students are learning about composition and artistic decision-making in an intuitive, playful way—gently preparing them for more complex darkroom techniques without feeling like they’re in a classroom.
As they explore the world around them, their confidence grows, connecting art to nature and unlocking their potential in the process.