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Would you like to learn more about medicinal plants, writing about the natural world, or painting in a natural setting? The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden offers classes on these endeavors and others this spring and early summer.
Watercolors: Painting the Natural World
Instructor Sandy Muzzy teaches participants the art of watercolor painting in a natural setting. Two four-week sessions are offered that incorporate a lecture and/or demonstration with time to paint in the field with the instructor’s assistance. Participants can sign up for one or both sessions; beginners are welcome. Materials for use at the garden are provided. Cost is $85 per session or $150 for both sessions.
Session 1: Thursdays, May 6, 13, 20, 27; 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Participants experiment with different watercolor techniques and learn about the basics of working with color values and texture.
Session 2: Thursdays, June 10, 17, 24, July 1; 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Participants delve into learning more about color theory and composition. Work with pen and ink is incorporated.
Medicinal Plants of the Garden*
Herbalist Cynthia Thomas teaches participants about the simple use of plants as medicine and food, and their healing properties. Participants learn which plants are traditionally eaten in the spring for their health benefits, and discover how to identify and use several favorite medicinal plants species. Cost is $15 per class.
Mondays, 6-7:30 p.m.
April 26 – Early Woodland Medicines
May 10 – Introduction to Wild Medicines
May 24 – Spring Edible and Medicinal Plants
Gardening with Wildflowers*
Wildflowers are valued as reliable and beautiful plants to use in formal and informal home gardens. This series, led by Shirley Mah Kooyman, is a fun foray into the art and science of gardening with wildflowers. Participants learn about easy-to-grow wildflower species and the basics of garden design and simple plant propagation techniques. Participants have the opportunity to propagate and take home wildflowers obtained from the teacher’s own garden. Cost is $60. Tuesdays, May 4, 11, 18; 10 a.m.-noon
Plant Families and Scientific Names*
Learning more about the basics behind scientific plant names and family groupings can help uncover a world of meaning and enrichment. This series teaches participants about common plant families of the Midwest through garden explorations. In addition, class time is spent learning the meanings behind many Greek and Latin words used for scientific names. Instructor is Shirley Mah Kooyman. Cost is $30. Tuesdays, June 1, 8; 10 a.m.-noon
Writing the Natural World
Traditionally, nature poetry reveals an intimate relationship between the physical world and the internal, emotional terrain of the poet. In this series, participants explore how to use and sequence images of the natural world to lead the reader on an emotional journey and how to use images in narrative poetry to carry story and deliver insight. The series is taught by Jude Nutter and includes learning, writing and sharing. It’s for beginners as well as seasoned writers. Cost is $75. In preparation please, read “The Literature of Place” by Barry Lopez at: http://arts.envirolink.org/literary_arts/BarryLopez_LitofPlace.html. Tuesdays, June 22, 29, July 6, 13; 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
* The wildflower garden is a sanctuary for native plants. Harvesting plant material from the garden is strictly prohibited.
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