Catalina Island Cyanotype Field Trip + Optional Workshop
A Creative Day on Catalina Island: Art, Ocean, and Cyanotype with Oriana Poindexter
Step away from the studio and spend a day immersed in art, ocean air, and creative discovery. Travel with Medium Photo to Catalina Island for a special field trip featuring an artist-led walkthrough of Oriana Poindexter’s installation Blue Forest, a shared lunch, and an optional hands-on cyanotype workshop inspired by the coastal landscape.
Sunday, May 17, 2026 - Avalon, Catalina Island
Join Medium Photo for a curated day of art, ocean, and creative exploration on Catalina Island with photographer and marine scientist Oriana Poindexter.
Participants will travel together by ferry from Dana Point to Avalon for a day centered around Oriana’s installation Blue Forest at the Catalina Museum for Art & History. During an intimate artist-led walkthrough, Oriana will share the inspiration and interdisciplinary research behind her work, which explores the intersection of art, science, and marine ecosystems.
Following the museum visit, participants will gather for a relaxed catered lunch before the afternoon portion of the experience.
Participants may then choose between free time exploring Avalon or joining an immersive cyanotype workshop led by Oriana, where you will create photographic prints using sunlight and organic materials gathered from the coastal landscape.
This unique field trip offers the opportunity to step away from daily routines, connect with fellow photographers, and spend a day immersed in creativity and the natural beauty of Catalina Island.
Optional Cyanotype Workshop
In the afternoon, participants may join Oriana for a hands-on workshop exploring cyanotype, one of photography’s earliest alternative processes.
Using light-sensitive chemistry first developed in the 1840s, cyanotypes produce luminous prints in the distinctive Prussian blue palette reminiscent of the sea itself. During this workshop, participants will not only learn the fundamentals of the process, but also gain insight, techniques, and practical tips from one of the region’s leading cyanotype artists.
Drawing from years of experience integrating cyanotype with marine science and environmental storytelling, Oriana will share the subtle decisions that elevate a print—from material selection to exposure strategies and composition techniques that produce the strongest results.
The session includes:
An introduction to the history and science of cyanotype
Demonstrations of printing techniques and exposure strategies
Professional tips and troubleshooting techniques for achieving strong, detailed prints
Guided experimentation with composition and materials
Creation of three original, frame-worthy cyanotype prints
Participants will leave with both finished prints and a deeper understanding of how to confidently continue working with cyanotype in their own practice.
Hear from a past workshop participant:
This was a fantastic and inspiring educational experience! Oriana was so knowledgeable, organized, and dedicated. What a memorable afternoon of creativity, playfulness, and curiosity. I'd highly recommend this as a gift of quality time with loved ones and for ocean enthusiasts looking to try something new.
Charlotte S.
Schedule
9:30–11:00 AM — Ferry from Dana Point to Avalon
11:30–12:30 PM — Artist-led walkthrough of Blue Forest at the Catalina Museum
12:30–1:30 PM — Catered group lunch
1:30–3:30 PM — Cyanotype workshop (optional) or free time in Avalon
5:00–6:30 PM — Ferry from Avalon to Dana Point
Registration
$??? — Full experience (includes cyanotype workshop)
$??? — Field trip only (museum visit + artist talk)
Your registration includes:
Round-trip ferry transportation between Dana Point and Catalina Island
Admission to the Catalina Museum for Art & History
Guided exhibition walkthrough and artist talk with Oriana Poindexter
Catered group lunch
All materials and instruction for workshop participants
Space is limited to keep the experience intimate and ensure everyone receives hands-on guidance during the workshop.
We recommend registering early to reserve your place on the ferry and in the workshop session.
If the fee presents a hardship, please contact info@mediumphoto.org.
From a past participant:
I loved my experience in Oriana's cyanotyping workshop! I've been meaning to try this art form for many months on my own and I am so glad that I waited to do so with Oriana's instruction. Learning the context and history of cyanotyping and vicariously experiencing her passion for kelp made for a really rich experience. I'd recommend taking this workshop to anyone and everyone over and over.
Why Join This Field Trip
• Artist-led access — Experience Blue Forest through an intimate walkthrough with the artist herself.
• Art meets science — Oriana’s practice bridges marine ecology and photography, offering a rare interdisciplinary perspective.
• A full creative day away — Ferry travel, museum visit, lunch, and workshop create a relaxed retreat-style experience.
• Hands-on alternative photography — Learn cyanotype, one of photography’s earliest processes, and create prints using sunlight and natural materials.
• Connect with other photographers — Spend the day with a small group of artists and photography enthusiasts in a collaborative environment.
About Oriana Poindexter
Oriana Poindexter is a photographer and marine scientist focused on the intersection of art, science, and marine natural resources. Her work focuses on interdisciplinary projects that bridge art and science, applying her expertise in both fields to engage the senses, inspire awe, and impact positive change for the oceans.
Oriana earned her degrees at Princeton University and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. She went on to work for nearly a decade with academic institutions, government agencies, and environmental organizations as an expert in the sustainable seafood and fisheries management arenas. Her photographs and cyanotypes have been featured by the Getty Museum and The Wall Street Journal, and she has created interpretive visual exhibits for the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Birch Aquarium. Oriana is based in San Diego, CA, where she is working on her first book, The Iridescent Ones, to visualize the natural and cultural history of abalone species on the Pacific West Coast.
Discover her work on Instagram: @opoindex
Location and Event Info
Catalina Museum for Art & History
217 Metropole Ave
Avalon, CA 90704
Participants will travel together via ferry between Dana Point and Avalon.