Art in the Garden Classes

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s Art in the Garden classes offer a variety of opportunities in multiple media to enhance your understanding of and appreciation for the natural world, learn new skills and enjoy the company of like-minded artists!

Classes are offered in-person, as synchronous (live) online programs, or using hybrid methods with both in-person and virtual content. Class delivery methods are denoted next to each listing as VIRTUAL, IN-PERSON, or HYBRID.

Class Schedule January – April 2024

DRAWING WORKSHOP SERIES WITH INTERNATIONAL ARTIST ROGÉRIO LUPO

Explore various drawing techniques through virtual workshops with award-winner scientific illustrator and artist Rogério Lupo, who will teach from Brazil. Each course includes drawing demonstrations of the various skills discussed. A basic understanding of drawing principles is recommended, but all who wish to learn and explore are welcome. Students enrolled in the Garden’s Botanical Illustration certificate program will earn elective credit. 

NEW! Honoring the Light: Drawing Demo with International Artist Rogério Lupo | January 10, 17 VIRTUAL

This virtual course led by renowned international artist Rogério Lupo aims to explore the observation of light and shade, focusing on how you can ultimately “honor the light” in your own work. You will enhance your ability to observe and capture different luminosities of light, learn to make your drawings more dynamic by adding depth, volume and dimension, and much more. 

NEW! Fundamentals of Graphite Shading with International Artist Rogério Lupo | April 10, 17, 24, May 1 VIRTUAL

This virtual course led by renowned international artist Rogério Lupo aims to provide all the theoretical and practical tools necessary for beginners to initiate their practice and for intermediate students to improve their skills in graphite shading. You will learn about the different types and qualities of graphite, and how and when to use them; explore the different results that can be achieved according to the techniques and materials used; and much more. This course is limited to 15 students to provide the opportunity for individualized feedback. 


Basic Watercolor for Beginners | January 11, 25, February 8, 22 IN-PERSON

Learn basic watercolor techniques and practice drawing skills to use in expressing the inspiration provided by the Garden with artist Shelley Row. Referencing landscape views from the Garden, create a landscape painting over the course of four sessions. With the certainty that every single human being has the ability to create, all are welcome to this “beginners” class. 


Meditative Botanical Doodles & Drawings | January 12 OR March 16 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. 


NEW! Introduction to Basic Drawing | February 20 IN-PERSON

Discover your artistic potential and ignite your passion for drawing! Learn to turn a simple line into a three-dimensional drawing with pencil and paper. Play with different mark-making techniques and learn how to integrate basic elements of art like shape, space and form into your drawing. Instructors Claudette and Stephey Baker, who believe that anyone can master drawing, will inspire you to take your pencil to the page. Beginners seeking to capture nature’s beauty will benefit from this workshop, but there will be something for all levels and all are welcome. Would you rather take this workshop virtually? Click here.


NEW! Composition for Botanical Illustration | February 24, March 2, 9, 16 VIRTUAL

Composition plays a fundamental role in the final result of an artwork. This virtual course led by renowned international artist Rogério Lupo will address the main principles of composition and design that can turn even apparently uninteresting subjects into enticing elements with great artistic and aesthetic attributes. In this process, we will understand why we need to avoid symmetrical forms, as well as coincident lines and circumscribed shapes that lead to optical illusions or confusing visual information.


NEW! Air Plant & Orchid Pots | February 21, 28 IN-PERSON

Design, create and embellish little pierced and hanging pots out of clay that will wrap your orchids and air plants in wonderful textures and colors with local artist Dana DuMont. Using a variety of handbuilding techniques, we’ll form these little gems on day one, and add color with glazes on day two. 


Ink & Watercolor on Japanese Masa Paper | March 13, 14 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. 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.


NEW! Introduction to Basic Drawing | March 14, 21 VIRTUAL

Discover your artistic potential and ignite your passion for drawing! Learn to turn a simple line into a three-dimensional drawing with pencil and paper. Play with different mark-making techniques and learn how to integrate basic elements of art like shape, space and form into your drawing. Instructors Claudette and Stephey Baker, who believe that anyone can master drawing, will inspire you to take your pencil to the page. Beginners seeking to capture nature’s beauty will benefit from this virtual workshop, but there will be something for all levels and all are welcome. Would you rather take this workshop in-person at the Garden? Click here.


PRESSED FLOWER WORKSHOP SERIES

Join local flower farmer and pollinator enthusiast Conner Parrish for a series of workshops that explore the ancient art of pressed flowers and utilize pressed flowers from Conner’s farm in Ashland to create a variety of fun and visually stunning crafts.  

NEW! Pressed Flower Floating Frame | March 16 IN-PERSON

In this creative workshop, cultivate appreciation for the history of the ancient pressed-flower art form with instructor Conner Parrish of Blossoming Roots Farm and Supply. Create a stunning pressed flower glass floating frame using a 16×20 black glass-on-glass floating frame and real pressed flowers from the farm.


NEW! From the Earth Paint Making with Artist in Residence Kyle Epps | May 2 IN-PERSON

This workshop is a unique artistic experience delving into the history of humans’ connection with the land. Participants will go beyond conventional painting techniques to craft their own paints by mixing earth pigments and binders, guided by the Garden’s Artist in Residence, Kyle Epps. This process requires some precision including basic elements of chemistry, making it a captivating endeavor for those curious about the scientific aspect of artistry. All levels welcome!


NEW! Maker Night: Nature-Inspired Polymer Clay Earrings | May 3 IN-PERSON

In this fun maker night, learn the basics and create a lovely pair of nature-inspired earrings out of polymer clay with Sarah Schultz of Fragment Jewelry Co! You will be able to choose from a wide variety of clay cutters in all kinds of botanical and animal shapes. While your earrings bake, enjoy a glass of Virginia-made Rosé wine paired perfectly with a delicious cheese plate.


Watercolor Experimentation & Card-Making | May 8, 9 IN-PERSON

Using watercolor paintings, experiments, and doodles, make unique and expressive notecards that you can give to loved ones or cherish as artistic keepsakes with artist Shelley Row. On the first workshop day we will play with watercolor techniques to hone your skills through experimentation, creating colorful practice pieces. On day two, we will use what we learned on day one plus a few more tricks to create unique and personal cards.


For creative workshops where you can use live plants to make plant creations to take home, check out our new Plant Play: Make and Take Workshops learning category! Explore topics like living succulent wreathsbonsaiterrariums and more while learning tips and techniques for plant care and maintenance.

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