Class Schedule April – August 2026

Pressed Flower Floating Frames | April 17 | IN-PERSON

Cultivate creativity and appreciation for the history of the ancient pressed-flower art form with instructor Conner Parrish of Bloomistry, a local farm in Ashland. After diving into the history of pressed flower art, we’ll create a stunning pressed flower glass floating frame using a 5×7 black glass-on-glass floating frame and real pressed flowers from the farm. The floating frame you design and take home with you will be totally unique, as no two frames are ever alike! Instructor: Conner Parrish

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NEW! Writing in the Garden | April 25 | IN-PERSON

The garden in spring is a magical place for writing. This class will feature a mix of modern plant science, philosophy, and creative writing – and how a deeper understanding of plant intelligence can inform how we think and write about our shared world. We’ll begin in the classroom with an interactive lesson and writing exercises before moving outside to explore with pen and paper. We’ll learn from specific plants but also take time for writing openly in beautiful spring garden spaces. This class is open to writers of all levels and genre interests.

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Beginner Origami Butterflies | April 25 | IN-PERSON

Learn how to fold an endless variety of butterflies! We will cover the basics for success in a way that beginners and experienced folders can all enjoy. With several “species” to choose from, students have the opportunity to explore a variety of styles and learn how to create their own unique butterflies. These butterflies are both beautiful and fascinating; they are a wonderful form of art that you can use to personalize a gift, add flare and wonder to a birthday card or table setting, or simply enjoy as an exercise for your mind and hands that yields endearing and fulfilling results.

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Playing on Yupo Paper with Alcohol Inks | May 5 | IN-PERSON

Discover the luminous world of alcohol inks! This fluid medium offers endless possibilities for both beginners and experienced artists. Alcohol inks can be used on any non-porous surface, creating a wide range of unpredictable and beautiful effects. In this workshop, we’ll focus on creative play using vibrant alcohol inks on Yupo, a smooth plastic paper. You’ll experiment with applying inks in a variety of ways to produce fascinating designs, textures, and backgrounds. Using metallic, white, and black fine-line pens, you’ll transform your explorations into imaginative landscapes, dynamic abstracts, or expressive floral compositions. All materials are provided — just bring your curiosity and a spirit of discovery!

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Ink and Watercolor on Japanese Masa Paper | May 13, 20 | IN-PERSON

The process of working with watercolor and ink on masa paper allows beginner and intermediate painters to create unique and beautiful finished works. Masa is a versatile Japanese paper which can be used for a wide range of art techniques. Using images taken in the Garden, we will create detailed ink pen drawings on day one; you will be able to do a little tracing as the paper is translucent. The entire second day of the workshop will be spent painting, learning how to mix colors and layer paint for intensity and shading. For those who may be hesitant or think they don’t have enough artistic ability, all previous participants have been pleased with their final artwork. This is an accessible process and the final piece is impressive.

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NEW! Paint Night: Spring Bouquet | May 15 | IN-PERSON

Spend the evening at the Garden enjoying a light snack and drink while creating your very own floral painting under the step by step guidance of local Virginia artist and art educator Ellie Franklin. Perfect for an evening out with friends! Fee includes wine or infused water, cheese and crackers and all materials.

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Introduction to Nature Journaling | May 18, 19 | IN-PERSON

Nature is always speaking—you just have to slow down and listen. This beginner-friendly class with local artist Stephey Baker teaches you how to capture nature through words, sketches, and simple observations. Through guided, curiosity-driven exercises, you’ll build your own journaling style while reducing stress, boosting creativity, and deepening your connection to the world around you.

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Beautiful Blooms and Abstract Patterns | June 10, 11 | IN-PERSON

In this fun, beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll create an abstract floral painting inspired by photos taken in the Garden, focusing on expression over realism. Through playful exploration of color, texture, and composition, you’ll learn techniques like layering, mark-making, and using negative space. Led by experienced instructors Shelley Row and Sarah Matthews, the class encourages experimentation and personal style.

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NEW! Bloom Between the Pages: Pressed Flower Bookmark Workshop | June 19 | IN-PERSON

Instructor Conner Parrish of Bloomistry will open the morning by introducing the timeless art of pressed flowers, exploring its origins and creative possibilities. Participants will learn all about pressed botanicals, including step-by-step techniques for pressing their own flowers to use in future botanical crafts. They’ll then create three unique bookmarks using real pressed botanicals, crafting beautiful, nature-inspired keepsakes to take home. Each student will also leave with a large flower press, making it easy to continue the art at home.

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Painting Florals with Gouache | June 26 | IN-PERSON

In this spring-centered one-day workshop, you will be guided step-by-step to create a gouache painting of vibrant freshly-cut flowers. You’ll follow the instructor’s live hands-on demonstration as you create your own initial sketch, lay down the underpainting layers, add vibrant colors, and polish off your piece with details. At the end of the session, you’ll have the option to share what you have created with your classmates.

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From Garden to Color: The Art and History of Botanical Dyeing | July 11 | IN-PERSON

Begin the morning with an engaging introduction to the ancient art of natural fabric dyeing, exploring humanity’s long-standing relationship with plants, pigments, and the natural world. Learn about traditional dye practices, the environmental impact of modern dye industries, and simple ways they can make more sustainable choices through awareness and creativity. The session will then shift into a hands-on workshop where students will create their own eco-printed cotton tote by transferring natural plant pigments directly onto fabric. Each participant will leave with their finished reusable bag and the knowledge and inspiration to continue experimenting with botanical dye techniques at home.

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NEW! Introduction to the Perpetual Journal and Field Sketching | July 28 | IN-PERSON

Join renowned botanical artist and author Lara Call Gastinger to learn basic skills for drawing outside and keeping a field sketching journal, such as a perpetual journal! We will explore and draw in the gardens after learning how to breakdown the complexity of a plant, compose a page, use a pen, add watercolor, and make important observations.

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NEW! Alebrijes-Inspired Linoleum Printmaking and Collage | August 1, 8 | IN-PERSON

Alebrijes are brightly colored, fantastical creatures from Mexican folk art that often combine features from various animals—real and mythical—into a single, surreal form. Hosting their east coast debut, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens will have multiple larger-than-life alebrijes sculptures on display! In this artmaking workshop participants will create alebrijes-inspired drawings, and will use the linoleum relief printmaking process to carve and print their magical animal imagery! We will also use colorful patterned paper to create collages and incorporate the vibrant aesthetic that is characteristic of alebrijes. Finally, we will then linoleum print on top of these collages to bring the whole animal design to life!

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Meditative Botanical Drawing | August 15 | IN-PERSON

Channel your creativity and find your bliss in this workshop with local artist Dana DuMont. Use nature as your inspiration to design complex, imaginative images with repeated organic lines and shapes. Working with graphite, watercolor and colored pencils, you will create small works suitable for framing. This relaxing workshop will be held in a classroom with beautiful Garden views.

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For creative workshops where you can use live plants to make plant creations to take home, check out our Plant Play: Make and Take Workshops learning category!