The Exchange, Ground Floor, 1 Little Pier St, Haymarket NSW 2000
Location: The Exchange, Ground Floor, 1 Little Pier St, Haymarket NSW 2000
Date: Thursday 14 May 2026, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Cost: $40 general / $33 concession – Book Tickets
Laser-Cut Printmaking Workshop – Inspired by Sydney’s Changing History
Step into a creative journey through time as part of the Australian Heritage Festival 2026, where this year’s theme, Change, comes to life through art, history, and innovation.
This hands-on workshop invites you to explore how Sydney has evolved over time, using historical images from the City of Sydney Archives as inspiration to create your own unique printmaking masterpiece.
Create with History
Hosted in the Darling Square Library Makerspace, this immersive session is led by experienced facilitators who will guide you through the entire creative process — from research to design to finished artwork.
You’ll learn how to access and work with archival images, transforming them into a laser-cut relief plate that you’ll then use to create your own prints.
From Archive to Artwork
This workshop blends traditional printmaking with modern technology, offering a unique opportunity to reinterpret Sydney’s past through a contemporary creative lens.
- Explore historical photographs from the City of Sydney Archives
- Prepare your design for print using digital tools
- Create a laser-cut relief plate from your chosen image
- Print your design using a small press
What You’ll Learn
- How to access and navigate the City of Sydney Archives
- Basic image preparation using Adobe Photoshop
- Introduction to laser cutting techniques
- Fundamentals of relief printmaking
What You’ll Take Home
- 1 x professional laser-cut plate (3mm plywood) featuring your chosen archival image
- 1–3 x relief prints on high-quality archival paper
Design size: Maximum 15cm x 10cm
Who It’s For
This workshop is perfect for beginners and creatives of all levels — no prior experience in printmaking or design is required.
Event Highlights
- Hands-on creative workshop in a professional makerspace
- Unique access to City of Sydney historical archives
- Blend of digital design and traditional printmaking
- Take home your own handcrafted artwork
Be Inspired by the Past
Join us to explore Sydney’s transformation through history and turn archival inspiration into a contemporary piece of art you can keep.
