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MFA candidate Nickolas Hurlbut will discuss the creation, experience, and culmination of a summer workshop series that took place at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at WSU and was later featured at the local Greystone Gallery. This series explored the concept that, although socially-constructed gender roles impact gender expression and perception, there is still variation in gender expression. Participants in this workshop series viewed portrait artwork in person at the Jordan Schnitzer Collections Study Center to gain inspiration in self-representation. They were then asked to create self portraits focused on their own expression of gender via cyanotype photography. Cyanotype allows for any natural fiber to be used as a substrate to be printed on. Photographic negatives, physical objects, organic materials, and illustrations can be placed on top of coated media and exposed to sunlight to create a lasting impression. Once fixed in water the prints become Prussian blue and white.
Participants had the unique opportunity to explore how to express their gender visually through the objects they chose to print on, the photographic self portrait they created, and other materials they incorporated in their art. The gallery showing allowed participants to share their work and gave viewers a broader understanding of the diversity of gender expression.
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Nickolas Carl Hurlbut is a master's degree candidate in the Masters in Fine Art program at Washington State University. He works primarily with Film Photography and Ceramics. Prior to attending the MFA program at WSU, he earned a master's degree in Education from Lewis and Clark College, showed his photography in galleries throughout the Pacific Northwest for 13 years, taught high school art for 5 years, and was active in the ceramics community. He helped organize the Oregon Potters Association's annual event Ceramics Showcase and his ceramic works were displayed in Radius, Ceramics Northwest, and Side Street Gallery.
He continues to work with film photography, ceramics, exploring screen printing, and building community through collaboration. You can see some of his cyanotype work at University of Idaho in their 7 Mile Show in October 2026 and his Thesis exhibition at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Washington State University beginning in April 2027.
You can see Nickolas Carl’s work on his website at NickolasCarl.com or on instagram @nickolascarl for his photography work or @sassy_ceramics for his ceramic work.
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