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Archive for the ‘Learning Opportunities’ Category

Explore the Botanical Arts at Mt. Cuba Center

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities on April 8, 2014|

Mt. Cuba Center
www.mtcubacenter.org
Mt. Cuba Center is a botanical garden in Hockessin, DE dedicated to the conservation, display, and research of native plants. Their woodland wildflower gardens are recognized as the area’s finest. The Center hosts many interesting classes related to plants, gardening and the arts. View their full schedule of on-site classes and distance learning classes on their website.

Surface Textures in Botanical Art

Have you ever wished you could enliven your paintings by capturing the velvety surface of a petal, the shiny slickness of a leaf, the fuzziness of new growth, or the spiny quality of an interesting fruit? This workshop explores the fascinating variety of surfaces presented to us in nature and shows ways to incorporate these textures into paintings using pencils and watercolors. Demonstrations of several painting techniques and instruction on selecting the right approach for each surface are provided. Beginners to experts will improve their skills. Contact Mt. Cuba Center for a materials list. Bring your lunch.

Linda Gist is an accomplished artist who teaches at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Her work is in many private collections, and she has had solo exhibitions at Cabrini College and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. 

Cost: $150

View Details/Register

Spring Photography Stroll with Chris Starr 
Saturday, May 10 
7:00 am – 11:00 am 

Enjoy this early morning opportunity to photograph the gardens of
Mt. Cuba Center. Photographers of all experience levels, from novices to experts, receive expertise and guidance on the technical and aesthetic elements of photography. Chris Starr, an experienced photographer, shares advice, techniques, inspiration, and encouragement to all. Bring your camera lenses and camera manual. Be prepared to walk outdoors.

Chris Starr is an experienced photographer who has played many roles at Mt. Cuba Center since 1984. Currently he is a member of the grounds team.

Cost: $20
View Details/Register

Photograph Great Gardens of the Mid-Atlantic with Allen Rokach 

Dates & Times of Class:
 Wednesday, May 14: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Orientation
Thursday, May 15: 5:45 am – 4:00 pm
Friday, May 16: 5:45 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday, May 17: 5:45 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday, May 18: 5:45 am – 4:00 pm
Monday, May 19: 5:45 am – 4:00 pm 

Don’t miss this opportunity to visit and photograph four magnificent Mid- Atlantic gardens: Mt. Cuba Center; Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library; Longwood Gardens; and Chanticleer. Master photographer Allen Rokach leads an intensive garden photography workshop at the height of spring bloom. Exclusive access at sunrise to all four gardens allows students to explore and capture the special qualities of early morning light with an expert. Return to Mt. Cuba Center for lectures, review sessions, and individual consultations. Participants at all levels of photographic experience will receive in-depth instruction on the technical and aesthetic aspects of digital garden photography. Bring your lunch.
Contact education@mtcubacenter.org for more details and a recommended equipment list.

Allen Rokach is an experienced and active photography educator whose photography assignments have taken him around the world. His images are included in numerous national publications such as Horticulture and Popular Photography.

Cost: $500
 View Details/Register

 
Create a Living Violet Wreath
 Wednesday, June 4 
10:00 am – 12:00 pm  Design a living circlet of plants using Mt. Cuba Center’s recent plant introduction, Viola walteri ‘Silver Gem’. Learn how to plant and maintain a beautiful living wreath. Add a stunning accent to a shady area of your garden as a centerpiece on a patio table or as a wall hanging. All materials are provided, but please bring garden gloves.

Donna Wiley is the horticulturist for Mt. Cuba Center’s Formal Gardens. Her expertise includes container gardening and floral arranging.

 Cost: $65 (materials included)
View Details/Register

Essentials of Plein Air Painting 

Dates of Class:
Saturday, June 7: Getting Started with Plein Air
Saturday, June 14: Composition and Perspective
Monday, June 23: Painting the Landscape
Tuesday, June 24: Painting Florals and Plants
Wednesday, June 25: Painting Plein Air

8:30 am – 3:00 pm, each session 

Learn plein air techniques while enjoying the beauty of Mt. Cuba Center’s gardens. Each day, Jacalyn Beam will discuss and demonstrate different skill sets for painting with oils or watercolors. Whether you are a novice or an experienced artist, Jacalyn will help bring out the best in your work. Attend all five sessions or select individual days. Bring your lunch. Please contact education@mtcubacenter.org for a materials list.

Jacalyn Beam, PhD is an active member of the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painting Association where she serves on the Board of Directors. She always had a passion for painting and specializes in images of the Brandywine Valley.

 Cost: $450 for the series or $100 per day
View Details/Register

Fabricate a Trillium Postcard 
Tuesday, July 1
9:30 am – 12:00 pm 
Create a work of art inspired by the natural world: make a unique trillium postcard using paper and cloth. Join local fabric artist, Terry Kramzar, as she guides you through this delightful and novel craft. Trillium patterns and all materials are provided. Just bring your curiosity and creativity to class!

Terry Kramzar is a local art quilter who exhibits widely in juried and invitational shows. Terry’s quilts can be seen in numerous publications including 500 Art Quilts by Lark Books, and she was recently featured in TheQuiltLifeMagazine.

 Cost: $$45 (materials included)
View Details/Register

This information can also be found at Classes Near You > Delaware.

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‘Drawing Plant Life’, A Class for Beginners

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities on April 8, 2014|

Lewisham Arthouse, London
www.lewishamarthouse.co.uk
The Lewisham Arthouse once served as the central library of Deptford. Designed by architect Sir Alfred Brumwell Thomas (1868-1948) and funded by Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919), this former library is now a public gallery and studio space for professional artists. Artist studios are open to the public once per year. Exhibitions in the gallery are open to the public year-round, free of charge. Botanical illustration classes are taught by Alison Day.

Drawing from Plant Life:
An Introductory Course in Botanical Illustration for All

This introductory course aims to provide an opportunity to explore the art and science of botanical Illustration. Students will have the opportunity to explore both drawing and painting plants, whilst learning a range of graphic techniques used to represent plant material. Some basic theory is taught and, where relevant, historical and contemporary practice is referenced. This course is taught by a practicing artist who has a background in the science of botany and the practice of fine art.

Students are asked to bring their own ideas and specimens to the course. Basic materials are provided, together with reference literature. Students must provide their own sketchbook pencils and colours.

All are welcome, no experience needed. Class size is limited so to provide a supportive and relaxed learning environment.

Cost: £95/90 concessions for ten weeks

The Lewisham Arthouse
140 Lewisham Way
New Cross, London SE14 6PD

Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, contact Alison Day.

This information has also been added to Classes Near You > England.

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Free Mother’s Day Event at The Gardens at Heather Farm

Posted in Education, gardening, Learning Opportunities, Special Announcements, Special Events on April 8, 2014|

Northern California Readers, click image to download flyer.

The Gardens at Heather Farm will host their annual Mother’s Day event on May 11, 2014 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at The Gardens on 1540 Marchbanks Drive in Walnut Creek.

Relax and enjoy soothing music provided by InSteel Caribbean Steel Drummers.

Bring a blanket and have a picnic in the Meadow Garden, stroll along the winding paths of 24 unique gardens, or simply sit on a bench and soak up the natural beauty of the breathtaking surroundings.

Storytelling sessions will be held in the Gazebo at 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm. There will also be root beer floats for $3 and fundraising prizes. Tickets will be available for purchase on the day of the event.

The craft activities for all ages and gift items for sale by local Bay Area artists are not to be missed!

All proceeds from this event support garden programs for youth, adults, and persons with disabilities.

Directions to The Gardens at Heather Farm

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Photosynthesis & Botanical Art?

Posted in botanical art, Education, general botany, History, Learning Opportunities, Teaching & Learning on April 4, 2014|

Stories. Timelines. Visual data. Photosynthesis. Botanical art.

You’ll find them all in Historical Plant Studies: Tools for Enhancing Students’ Understanding of Photosynthesis by Dr. Stephen Thompson, professor of science education at the University of South Carolina.

Using the 5E learning model, Thompson helps students connect with scientists who, centuries ago, worked diligently to explain the source of plant matter.
Thompson (2014) prepares historical accounts of their studies and assigns one scientist to each student group in his class. Thompson’s students learn about the research of Jan Baptista van Helmont (1649), John Woodward (late 1600s) and Stephen Hales (1727), Joseph Priestly (1770s), Jan Ingenhousz (1790s) and Nicolas-Theodore de Saussure (1804).

After reading about the contributions made by their respective scientist, each student group begins the task of preparing an informational poster featuring their scientist’s hypothesis, materials and methods, results and conclusions.
Thompson (2014) encourages students to create their posters using mostly visual information and only the amount of text necessary to explain key information.

When completed, student posters are placed along a historical timeline and are presented in chronological order. As students present their poster,
Thompson (2014) gently corrects student misconceptions. Students are then asked to create a graphic organizer summarizing each study and are asked to draw models and write a description for one of the studies (Thompson, 2014). Thompson uses the drawing and writing exercise as an assessment tool to evaluate student understanding.

Photosynthesis is not an easy concept to grasp. Fortunately, Thompson (2014) makes this topic easy to understand and easy to teach, thanks to him sharing his written passages with fellow teachers. Get a copy of Historical Plant Studies and you’ll be ready to try this activity yourself and be ready to help students tell the story of how plants make food.

Thompson (2014) can be purchased online for 99¢ from the NSTA Science Store. You can also look for this article at your local college library.

Literature Cited
Thompson, Stephen. 2014. Historical plant studies: Tools for enhancing students’ understanding of photosynthesis. Science Scope. 37(6): 43-53

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Plants Up Close at TAG Gallery

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities, Special Announcements, Special Events on April 1, 2014|

Pomegranate, watercolor, 16.25" x 20" © Sally Jacobs, All rights reserved

Up Close: Plant Portraits
Sally Jacobs
TAG Gallery
Santa Monica, CA
April 22 – May 17, 2014

In a new exhibition opening next month, watercolor artist Sally Jacobs brings attention to the subtle and unique features of plants by introducing drama to traditional botanical art. Using vibrant colors, striking black backgrounds and layered watercolor techniques, Jacobs makes viewers question what they have truly observed in plants.

Jacobs’ work has been shown in many juried shows in New York and San Francisco; and at museums in Minneapolis and Phoenix. She was an award winner at the Brand 37 Works on Paper exhibition and was featured on the CNN show, “Your Money.” Her work is featured in Today’s Botanical Artists, a book about North American contemporary botanical artists.

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Buzz Pollination at Theodore Payne Foundation Gallery

Posted in botanical art, Education, general botany, Learning Opportunities, Special Announcements, Special Events on March 25, 2014|

Manzanita anthers. © Stephen Buchmann, All rights reserved

The Theodore Payne Arts Council invites you to
Buzz Pollinate: Slits, Pores, and Valves!

Contemporary artist
Jessica Rath is fascinated with buzz pollination, a co-adaptation between certain bees and specific angiosperms which require sonication, or vibratory resonance to release pollen from their anthers.

Over evolutionary time, the shape of these anthers has become a closed tube-like vessel with a limited opening pore or slit. These incredible shapes and the vibrations that open them are the subject of Rath’s show in the Theodore Payne Gallery.

Consulting with bee specialist Dr. Anne Leonard from University of Nevada, Reno, and buzz pollination specialist Dr. Stephen Buchmann from University of Arizona, Tucson, Rath has immersed herself in the scientific resonances around this fascinating phenomenon.

Purple Nightshade © Jessica Rath, All rights reserved

Some 5% to 6% of all the world’s angiosperms require buzz pollination, including commercial greenhouse tomatoes and some native manzanitas.

Jessica’s exhibition will include wax sculptures for cast bronze based on bee anthers, a series of watercolors, and a “buzz” sound work alluding to buzz pollination tonal values created in collaboration with experimental music composer Robert Hoehn.

Buzz Pollinate: Slits, Pores, and Valves opens on Saturday, March 29, 2014 and will be on view through June 14, 2014. You are invited to attend the opening reception from 2:00 – 4:30 pm. An artist talk will be begin at 3 PM.

Directions to Theodore Payne Foundation, Sun Valley, CA

Related
Educators!

Celebrate Pollinator Week early with a visit to Buzz Pollinate: Slits, Pores, and Valves.

Pollinator Week 2014 is scheduled for June 16-22, 2014. Get resources for the classroom or your summer program on the Education page at Pollinator Partnership.

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Botanical Art Classes in New Mexico & Massachusetts

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities on March 25, 2014|

Learn all summer long in Massachusetts or go on week-long retreats in New Mexico. Here is what’s new in the Classes Near You sections for Massachusetts and New Mexico.

Helen Byers
www.helenbyers.com
Helen Byers is an artist and illustrator who is active in several genres and mediums. She was born in Brazil, grew up in northern California and Mexico, and now lives in Massachusetts. She qualified for the PhD in English at the University of California, Santa Barbara and taught literature and writing at the college level before moving to the Pacific Northwest to work as a freelance literary editor. After moving to Boston in 1988, she embarked on a career as an author, illustrator, and editor for educational publishers.

Since 2013, Helen has turned full-time to her lifelong love of art, teaching botanical drawing and painting in Massachusetts at Tower Hill Botanic Garden (Boylston), the Concord Art Association, and Fruitlands Museum (Harvard). She is also a regular instructor in New Mexico, at Ghost Ranch (Abiquiu), where her courses include a field-sketching workshop focused on high-desert fauna and flora, co-taught with biologist Janet Darrow.

Workshops in Massachusetts

Daffodils: Botanical Painting in Watercolor
Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Boylston, Massachusetts
April 16, 2014
10 AM–4 PM
View Details/Register

Spring Blooms: Botanical Painting in Watercolor
Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Boylston, Massachusetts
May 10 & 17, 2014
10 AM – 4 PM
View Details/Register

Observational Drawing in Colored Pencil
Fruitlands Museum
Harvard, Massachusetts
May 31–June 2, 2014
10 AM–3 PM
For information and to register, email mkershaw@fruitlands.org  or call 978-456-3924 ext. 291.

Field Sketching & Journaling
Fruitlands Museum
Harvard, Massachusetts
July 12 & 13, 2014
10 AM–3 PM
For information and to register, email mkershaw@fruitlands.org  or call 978-456-3924 ext. 291.

Daylilies: Botanical Drawing in Colored Pencil
Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Boylston, Massachusetts
July 19 & 20, 2014
10 AM–4 PM
For information and to register call 508-869-6111.

Harvest Home: Botanical Drawing in Colored Pencil
Fruitlands Museum
Harvard, Massachusetts
August 16 & 17, 2014
10 AM–3 PM
For information and to register, email mkershaw@fruitlands.org  or call 978-456-3924 ext. 291.

Vegetables: Botanical Art in the Summer Garden
Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Boylston, Massachusetts
August 23 & 24, 2014
10 AM–4 PM
For information and to register call 508-869-6111.

Workshops in New Mexico:

Field Sketching Ghost Ranch Fauna & Flora
(co-taught with biologist Janet Darrow, PhD)
Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center
Abiquiu, New Mexico
June 23–29, 2014
View Details/Register

Celebrations for Days of the Dead (Días de los Muertos)
Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center
Abiquiu, New Mexico
October 27–November 2, 2014
View Details/Register