Events

Select the event you want to attend.

Event Type: 
Month:  
with CMBG Staff or Docent
Mondays & Tuesdays, May 5-October 17
1-2:30 p.m.
Outside Market by Great Lawn

Join our Native Plant Hike for a deeper dive into the world of native plants. We begin the hike down the Haney Hillside, moving from cultivated native plantings to the natural landscape of the Shoreland Trail and Maine Woods Trail, and end the hike traveling up the Birch Allée. This hike lasts about ninety minutes and moves swiftly over the trails; sturdy boots or shoes are recommended. While this tour is free, pre-registration is encouraged; drop-ins are welcome. Please meet outside the Café building by the Great Lawn to join the tour.
Our ninety-minute electric accessible cart tours are led by trained Gardens' staff and docents, rain or shine. The cart can accommodate up to five people. Seating preference is decided on a first-come, first-served basis. Each passenger needs a ticket. These tours are a wonderful opportunity for those who may not otherwise be able to walk the Gardens.

Registration is required ahead of time. Admission to the Gardens is not included and must be purchased separately.Cart tours are free on Wednesdays.
May 1, 2025 through October 19, 2025


Visitors who book tickets online save $4 per ticket (discounted prices shown below).

Adults: $25 online ($29 in-person)

Seniors (65+) & Veterans: $21 online ($25 in-person)

Students (18+ with Student ID): $16 online

Children (3-17): $9 online ($13 in-person)

Children under 3: Free

Membership pays for itself in as few as two visits. Join today and make your visit free.

Explore our more than 300 acres of cultivated gardens and beautiful natural spaces, from the Native Butterfly House to the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden, the woodland Fairy House Village to the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses—and so much more. Discover our five giant trolls and discover for yourself the wisdom of the Guardians of the Seeds.



Advance tickets are required to guarantee admission, as we do sell out on busy days. Members do not need to reserve tickets.



The Gardens, Café, and Gardenshop close promptly at 5 p.m.
Explore our more than 300 acres of gardens and natural spaces, from the Native Butterfly and Moth House to the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden, the woodland Fairy House Village to the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses—and so much more. Discover five giant, friendly trolls along our native, natural wooded areas and trails. Explore and discover for yourself the wisdom of the Guardians of the Seeds. Find all five trolls and solve the clues to learn their secret.

We believe everyone should have access to the Gardens, and in our new Gardens for All initiative anyone eligible for SNAP/EBT, WIC, Medicaid, or MaineCare programs, or otherwise unable to meet the price of admission may visit the Gardens at no cost. Through this program, guests may reserve up to six (6) day passes. Arrive at any time of day to use your pass.

For safety considerations, skateboards, hoverboards, scooters, and other motorized equipment are not allowed at the Gardens. Wheeled devices are restricted to accessibility devices, strollers and wagons only.
Daily, 9 a.m. and noon
Gardens open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

If you are a registered library, you may reserve a date for your patrons to visit the Gardens. You may reserve a maximum of two adults per day plus children under 18. Choose morning or afternoon as an estimated arrival time. Library Partner admission will be valid all day.



Through our Library Partner Program, a number of local libraries hold a pass to the Gardens, and their patrons can receive free admission. Please contact your local library for more information or to encourage them to join the program.



If you are a library interested in joining the Library Partner Program, please call the Gardens at (207) 633-8000 or email to LibraryPartner@MaineGardens.org.



For non-library Admission tickets, click here.
Our ninety-minute electric accessible cart tours are led by trained Gardens' staff and docents, rain or shine. The cart can accommodate up to five people. Seating preference is decided on a first-come, first-served basis. Each passenger needs a ticket. These tours are a wonderful opportunity for those who may not otherwise be able to walk the Gardens.

Tours on Wednesdays are free, but registration is required ahead of time. Admission to the Gardens is not included and must be purchased separately.Our other weekday Accessible Cart Tours are $15 for members and $18 for nonmembers.
with CMBG Staff or Docent
Wednesdays, May 7 - October 15, 1-2:30 p.m.
1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
On the patio behind the Lyn and Daniel Lerner Visitor Center by the Heafitz Wetland Bridge

From ponds and vernal pools to small rivers, on this free hike, we'll explore the Gardens' many wetlands to see how water affects each natural community. Learn how important wetlands are to our ecosystem, how they provide vital habitat for wildlife, and what we can do to preserve them. This hike lasts about ninety minutes and moves swiftly over our steeper hiking trails. While this tour is free, pre-registration is encouraged; drop-ins are welcome. Please meet outside the Lyn and Daniel Lerner Visitor Center by the Heafitz Wetland Bridge to join the tour.
Thursday, May 22, Thursday, June 12, Thursday, June 26, Saturday, July 12, Thursday, July 24, Thursday, August 14, Thursday, August 28
5-7:30 p.m.

Make plans to join us for special Member Evenings this coming summer! On these select dates, the Gardens stays open late just for you. Enjoy the summer evenings in the gardens from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Feel free to bring picnic dinner!
with CMBG Staff or Docent
Thursdays & Fridays, May 1-October 17
1-2:30 p.m.
Great Lawn

The Guardians of the Seeds have emerged from the woods and are waiting for you to find them! On this guided hike, we’ll find all five of the trolls hidden in the woods and, along the way, explore the botany behind the magic of the exhibit. Join us to learn more about the artist Thomas Dambo and the team that built them, hear behind-the-scenes stories of how they were constructed, and discover how you, too, can join the trolls and become a guardian of the forest. This tour will last approximately one and a half hours and will cover about 2.5 miles of paths and trails. While this tour is free, pre-registration is encouraged; drop-ins are welcome.
with CMBG Staff or Docent
Saturdays and Sundays, May 3-October 19
1 - 2:30 p.m.
Lerner Visitor Center

Biodiversity is the variety of all life on Earth. It provides us with everything that makes life on Earth possible—clean air and water, fertile soil, medicines, fuels, materials, shelter, places for recreation, and a stable climate. In this tour, we’ll explore the rich biodiversity at the Gardens and share stories about how biodiverse landscapes enrich and strengthen our communities against change and other challenges. Enjoy the chance to share your perspectives and explore new ones on how we all can protect biodiversity in our own homes. This tour follows an accessible route for wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility aids. While this tour is free, pre-registration is encouraged; drop-ins are welcome.
with Jordan Parks
Monday and Tuesday, July 28 and 29
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Using the Gardens as inspiration, explore traditional block printing methods with a modern touch. These blocks can be used anywhere, as a printing press is not required. Participants will leave the two-day workshop understanding basic printing techniques and multiple prints of their designs.



All levels are welcome. Suitable for teens 14+.



Day One:

Morning - Intro to tools & materials, basic transferring methods, and beginning to carve blocks.



Afternoon - Proof printing, color explorations, carving time



Day Two:

Morning - Collaborative printing opportunity, free printing time



Afternoon - Finalize projects, art walk/review, clean up



//

Materials:

$80 fee covers:

Speedball carving tool (students can keep)
Linoleum blocks (students can keep)
Water-based block printing inks, black + at least one other color
Newsprint
Tracing paper
White printmaking paper, 10 sheets
Rags for cleanup
Brayer
Baren




Additionally, students should bring their own:

Sharpie
A few soft pencils (6B)
Ruler
Xacto Knife
Glass or plexiglass palette (the glass from a picture frame works well)
A palette knife and a small selection of brushes


//

Artist Biography:



Jordan Kendall Parks (she/they) is a Black bi-racial femme who lives and works in South Portland, Maine. Jordan uses art to spark conversations around place, existence, and belonging. Her work is heavily influenced by our relationship with the natural world and each other, and they focus on cultivating interactive outdoor exhibitions that encourage people to engage with their surroundings, find a sense of adventure, and discover art along the way. www.jordankendallparks.co
with Sandra Bassett
Monday, July 28
10 a.m. - noon
Bosarge Family Education Center

Deepen your understanding of Wabanaki values and traditions on this family-friendly walk. Passamaquoddy educator Sandra Bassett will share her personal story, demonstrate singing and drumming, and teach us a sampling of Passamaquoddy words. Participants will also learn about the indigenous uses of some of our native plants and the significance of the four “R’s”-Reciprocity, Relationship, Respect, and Responsibility in our Three Sisters Gardens. At the end of the session, participants will try their hand at birch bark etching and braiding sweetgrass. Registration includes admission to the Gardens. Scholarships are available for families with a financial need. To request an application, please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org.



//

Instructor bio:

Sandra Bassett Peskotomuhkat graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 2021 with a BSW and a Minor in Wabanaki Language and is the first to receive a Wabanaki Language Certificate from USM in 2022. She has been working on her Passamaquoddy language for years and is close to receiving a Language Teaching Certificate from the Department of Education. For over a decade, she has been working in corrections bringing a solution and hope to the inmates. Sandra has a strong passion for the work she is doing and feels it is both an honor and a privilege. For the past two years, Sandra has discovered other passions, including gardening and drumming. She enjoys sharing her traditional songs.
with Crisitina Pellegrini
Tuesday, July 29
10 a.m. - noon
Bosarge Family Education Center

Ancient Egyptians used willow and myrtle to treat pain and fevers, and Mayans used the papaya tree for many herbal remedies. Plants have been used as medicine since our existence, and have inspired many modern-day medicines. In this session, participants will explore and sample plants in our gardens and surrounding woodlands that can be used for medical treatment for colds, upset stomachs, stress, anxiety, and so much more. The session will end by sampling a few herbal iced teas that participants can recreate at home or be inspired to create their own with their new knowledge.



Scholarships are available for families with a financial need. To request an application, please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org.



Instructor Biography:

Cristina first began learning about the medicinal properties of plants as an organic vegetable farmer in New York, spending her free time wandering the edges of fields and woods gathering wild plants and experimenting with making tea and salve. Cristina’s studies in herbalism include coursework from Rosemary Gladstar, gardening alongside a few community herbalists in Vermont, starting a side business growing and selling tinctures and salves, and working at the herbal apothecary originally started by Rosemary Gladstar in northern California. At Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Cristina helps tend to the gardens, creates floral arrangements, and enjoys sharing her love of medicinal plants whenever possible.
with CMBG Youth Education Staff
Thursday, July 31
9:30 a.m, - 3:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Come and spend a fun-filled day with us at the Gardens. We’ll spend the day doing hands-on activities, playing games, and checking out all of the cool caterpillars in our visiting Caterpillar Lab exhibit. We’ll also search for critters in our many ponds, take a hike to see some giant trolls, and decorate a t-shirt with plants to remember the day. Scholarships are available for families with a financial need. To request an application, please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org.
Every other Thursday, May 8 - October 9
7 - 9 a.m.
Outside at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Join fellow members for two glorious hours of morning light before the gates open to the general public. Held every other Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., we meet in the Cafe and venture out to capture flora and fauna. Every year, we exhibit the fruits of the group's artistic labor with a display on campus. This opportunity is exclusively available to Coastal Maine Botanical members.
with The Caterpillar Lab
Friday, August 1
8 - 11 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Join The Caterpillar Lab for a night of moth lighting at the Gardens and discover what moths and other nighttime visitors fill the summer skies! Moth lighting is the practice of providing an irresistible surface for insects to land on by illuminating a large white sheet. This favorite pastime of biologists has quickly become a popular hobby for nature lovers, gardeners, and the naturally curious worldwide. Popular events like National Moth Week and Mothapalooza have been attracting more and more attention—and now you, too, can be an explorer at this exclusive, after-hours event.



The evening will begin indoors at 8 p.m. with a brief introduction and some time to view The Caterpillar Lab’s indoor exhibit while the sun sets. After dusk, guests will visit the sheets set up around the Gardens, and The Caterpillar Lab’s staff will be on hand to help identify the hundreds of species we’ll likely attract. Come ready to be amazed by the diversity, size, and beauty of Maine's nocturnal insect inhabitants. Before long, you, too, will be hooked on this popular pastime.



For the best experience, avoid bright clothing, wear long sleeves and pants, and bring a flashlight and insect repellant. This program is designed for anyone ages ten and up, adults and families alike. The rain date for this event is Saturday, August 2.
with Mihku Paul
Friday, August 1
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Join us for an immersive insect-themed poetry workshop for ages 9-14 with Wolastoqiyik writer and artist Mihku Paul. Students will get a unique look into the lives of insects and draw inspiration for poetry from a special visit to the Caterpillar Lab living exhibit. Through observations in the garden with our entomologist, participants will document the insects they encounter, collecting ideas and sketches that will become the basis for writing a poem or prose. Examples and templates will be provided to support the work. Participants will also be introduced to the Indigenous perspective on nature and learn some Passamaquoddy vocabulary as part of the instruction.



Scholarships are available for families with a financial need. To request an application, please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org.



//



Educator Bio:

Mihku Paul is a Wolastoqey writer and visual artist who has spent decades presenting Waponahki curriculum enrichment in Portland Public Schools. She is a graduate of the Stonecoast MFA Program in Creative Writing and has produced a one-woman mixed media installation at the Abbe Museum. This installation is also shown at USM's Glickman Library. Her poetry has been published internationally and translated into Spanish and French. Recent work includes Atlantic Vernacular (NB, Canada) and an experimental film short, Putep Qotatokot-te Elwestaq, "The Whale was Speaking." Mihku lives and works in Portland.
with Ashley Page
Saturday, August 2
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Let’s learn and make together! Explore the world of paper-making with artist Ashley Page in this hands-on Saturday workshop. Participants will learn how to make paper at home or in a studio, leaving with their own paper creations. Discover how recycled materials and natural fibers can be transformed into beautiful, one-of-a-kind works of art. No previous papermaking experience is required. Suitable for teens 14+.



//

Materials:



It is recommended that attendees use materials they're comfortable cutting up/collaging with, such as a sketchbook, photos, recycled paper, fabric, etc.
Several sponges of different sizes
Mould and deckle sets (like this: ex 1 )
Big and small towels for water absorption


//

Artist Biography:

Ashley Page is an interdisciplinary artist living and working in Portland, ME. Originally hailing from Minneapolis, MN, Page considers her studio practice and curatorial projects to be a vessel for representation, intergenerational exchange, and creative expression. Having obtained her BFA in Sculpture and a minor in Public Engagement from Maine College of Art & Design, her artistic framework is a vehicle for storytelling. In 2022, she was awarded the Amelia Peabody Award for Sculpture by St. Botolph Club Foundation, and has taught workshops at Waterfall Arts, Peters Valley, the University of Maine Orono and more. Her curatorial and studio practice has been seen in the Portland Museum of Art, Hunterdon Art Museum, Congress Square Park, the Center for Afrofuturist Studies, The Abyssinian Meeting House, Cove Street Arts, and others. Page is presently the Studio and Programs Manager at Indigo Arts Alliance, where she works within the intersection of art and activism. ashleypagestudio.com

with CMBG Youth Education Staff
Monday - Friday, August 4 - 8
9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Staff

How can a garden support so much life? We'll scour the gardens, ponds, and surrounding forests in search of animals who call this place home. Through observations, games, stories, experiments, and crafts, campers will learn how native animals survive in their unique habitats.



Scholarships are available for families with a financial need. To request an application, please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org.



//



Extended Explorations aftercare

1:30 - 3:30 p.m. every day after camp ends

Does your child want extra time after camp to explore the Children's Garden, catch frogs, or build a fairy house? Does a later pick-up time work better for you? Campers can spend an extra two hours exploring, playing, and discovering after the regular camp day ends. Youth education staff members will lead activities, including games, hikes, and nature discovery in our gardens. To register for this program, add it to your cart when registering for camp.

Friday, August 8
3 - 4 p.m.
Cleaver Lawn

Using themes from Salt Bay Chamber's (SBC) 2025 festival “Earth Song,” chamber musicians will create a “musical installation” on the grounds of the Gardens, pairing music with gardens and emphasizing Indigenous music.



Alongside the native ferns and plants found around Cleaver Lawn, SBC and Wabanaki musicians invite audiences to experience the connection between music, land, and culture.



The ensemble will perform music featuring Passamaquoddy singer Lauren Stevens singing traditional songs and music by Mohawk composer Dawn Avery, drawing on inspirations from the Earth, the Three Sisters, and native themes. SBC musicians include Aaron Boyd and Jesse Mills on violins, Natalie Loughran on viola, and Wilhelmina Smith on cello.



Guests are welcome to arrive up to an hour before the concert and enjoy the Gardens. For guests coming for the whole day, this concert is included in the price of admission.
with Cristina Pellegrini
Saturday, August 9
Bosarge Family Education Center

From harvesting to bottling, learn the steps to make a herbal salve! Salves are topical ointments created from plants used to heal a specific condition such as dry skin, burns, scars, splinters, or sore muscles. The class will begin indoors with a live demonstration followed by a walk through the gardens to identify plants that can be used to make a salve. Each participant will take home a tin of herbal salve.



//



Instructor Bio:

Cristina Pellegrini first began learning about the medicinal properties of plants as an organic vegetable farmer in New York, spending her free time wandering the edges of fields and woods gathering wild plants and experimenting with making tea and salve. Cristina’s studies in herbalism include coursework from Rosemary Gladstar, gardening alongside community herbalists in Vermont, starting a business growing and selling tinctures and salves, and working at the herbal apothecary originally started by Rosemary Gladstar in northern California. At Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Cristina helps tend to the gardens, creates floral arrangements, and enjoys sharing her love of medicinal plants whenever possible.
Saturday, August 9
4 - 5 p.m.
Arbor Garden

Using themes from Salt Bay Chamber's (SBC) 2025 festival “Earth Song,” chamber musicians will create a “musical installation” on the grounds of the Gardens, pairing music with gardens and emphasizing Indigenous music.



Under the canopy of wandering honeysuckle and towering rudbeckia, cellists Edward Arron and Wilhelmina Smith will perform works honoring trees. Performing on instruments made from spruce and poplar, they will perform music by Bach illuminating the resonance of trees, duos by Mohawk composer Dawn Avery expressing gratitude for the natural world, and conclude with a performance of Giovanni Sollima’s “Alboreto Salvatico”—a musical musing on trees, with inspiration drawn from the Italian author Rigoni Stern.



“Great is the people of trees.”



Guests are welcome to arrive up to an hour before the concert and enjoy the Gardens. For guests coming for the whole day, this concert is included in the price of admission.
with Chris Schorn
Wednesday, August 13, Thursday, August 14, & Friday, August 15,
9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

The first step to gardening with Maine’s native plants is meeting them in their wild habitats. Over this three-day in-person class, students will learn how to recognize frequent coastal species. This class will cover plant identification skills, terminology, and botanical etymology. Through guided walks, both at the Gardens and on the Boothbay peninsula, students will practice skills and collect samples for identification and botanizing native species.

Class Level: Intermediate-Advanced



Students should come with a packed lunch and water. Hand lenses will be available, but we encourage students to have their own.



//



Suggested reference: The Plants of Acadia National Park, by Glen Mittelhauser, Gregory, Rooney, and Weber
Thursday, August 14
4 - 5 p.m.
Great Lawn

Using themes from Salt Bay Chamber's (SBC) 2025 festival “Earth Song,” chamber musicians will create a “musical installation” on the grounds of the Gardens, pairing music with gardens and emphasizing Indigenous music.



Flutist Claire Chase will lure onlookers with the enchanting music of Pan by Marcos Balter, on a Pied Piper-esque walking journey from Great Lawn to the Fairy House Village. Chase's journey will take them to other SBC musicians to perform a new work by Indigenous Andean and Irish composer inti figgis-vizueta for flute, strings, and percussion, with audience participation and instrument making using found objects in nature. SBC musicians include Kyu-Young Kim and Aaron Boyd, violins; Jonathan Vinocour, viola; Wilhelmina Smith, cello; and Ayano Kataoka, percussion.



Guests are welcome to arrive up to an hour before the concert and enjoy the Gardens. For guests coming for the whole day, this concert is included in the price of admission.
with Dylan Metrano
Monday and Tuesday, August 18, 19
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Learn the techniques and history of papercutting with examples of traditional and contemporary styles. Students will leave this two day workshop with several pieces of their own artwork, exploring different methods or approaches. The class theme will be birds and blossoms.



//

Materials:

an XActo knife and a few extra blades (any brand)
a self-healing cutting mat
a pencil
black paper (any brand)
colored paper (There are many decorative papers available but students can choose any type, even simple construction paper.)
bring some source material (photos of birds, plants, people- anything they're interested in making papercuttings of.)


//

Artist Biography:

Dylan Metrano is a papercutting artist based in Bath, Maine. He spent many years living on Monhegan Island, ten miles off the coast of Maine, drawing inspiration from its centuries-old buildings and migratory birds. Drawn to the simplicity of form, the boldness and relationships of colors, and the cleanness of composition, Dylan’s artwork is entirely composed of meticulously cut and carefully layered paper.



A self-taught artist, his artwork has been featured on numerous album covers, book covers, posters, and in exhibitions throughout New England. In 2016, Scholastic published “Every Day Birds“, a children’s book which Dylan illustrated with his papercuttings.
with Ted Elliman
Saturday, August 23
9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Bosarge Family education Center

Whether called fields, meadows, or pastures, these landforms all feature a dominant grass population in a wide-open, full-sun terrain mixed with wildflower and smaller woody species. Partnering with the Boothbay Region Land Trust, this class will guide students on two walks at local land trust properties. Led by Ted Elliman, co-author of "Grasses, Sedges and Rushes: An Identification Guide," participants will learn how to identify and better understand meadow culture. This is the perfect class for those interested in starting or sustaining an open grassland. Class Level: Beginner-Intermediate
with Christopher Roddick
Friday, August 29
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

So many of us love our trees, yet they’re still too often seen and cared for as ornaments in our gardens or isolated organisms, rather than as dynamic parts of a living landscape. In reality, trees can serve as the heart of thriving ecosystems that support the birds and wildlife we love.

This workshop introduces the principles of ecological arboriculture—a holistic approach to caring for trees, woody plants, and landscapes that recognizes trees as habitat, food sources, and essential ecosystem engineers. Explore how planting strategies, species selection, and arboricultural practices can be adapted to enhance biodiversity and ecological function in the landscape while creating beautiful spaces and healthier trees.



Class level: All



//

Instructor Bio:

Christopher Roddick is a practicing arborist and was the head of Arboriculture and Foreman of Grounds at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for 30 years before moving to Northwest CT to start Sweet Birch Land & Tree.

Chris practices ecological arboriculture, a holistic approach to caring for trees and land that uses a modern understanding of tree and soil biology, ecology, and organic practices as a base for maintenance and cultivation decisions. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and a NOFA AOLCP.

By looking at trees as the center of tree-based ecosystems, Chris consults on veteran tree care, tree species selection, and conducts specialized pruning. He advises on landscape design, selecting shrubs and herbaceous plantings that support trees and work together for beauty, function, and ecology.
with Andy Brand
Friday, September 5 & Saturday September 13
9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

In this two-day hybrid class, learn about native woody plants that contribute so much to our landscapes and local biodiversity. Andy Brand, Director of Horticulture at the Gardens, will discuss identification, habitat, and woody plants' role in plant reproduction and management as hosts for insects, birds, and other wildlife. You'll leave with recommendations for native species and cultivars and guidance for cultivation, landscape uses, and soil and light considerations.



Class begins with an online lecture, discussion, and slideshow followed by a field-study class at the Gardens a week later.



Class Level: Intermediate-Advanced



//



Suggested Reference: Northeast Native Plant Primer 235 Plants for Earth Friendly Garden, Lorimer, Uli



//



Instructor Bio:

Andy Brand is the Director of Horticulture at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Prior to joining the staff in 2018, he was the nursery manager at Broken Arrow Nursery for over 20 years, where he and his colleagues specialized in growing rare and unusual plants. Andy is an avid naturalist and has focused on the interaction of the insects and native plants of New England. He is a co-founder and past President of the Connecticut Butterfly Association and past President of the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association.
with Jeff Pengel
Saturday, September 6
9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

The cool, damp climate of Maine and northern New England is perfect for mosses and liverworts, plants known as bryophytes. Join Maine Master Naturalist Jeff Pengel to examine, identify, and learn the natural history of mosses and liverworts. Through presentation, photographs, specimen examination, and fieldwork, students will learn to discern the differences between common groups, know key identification techniques and vocabulary, and recognize more than a dozen common species in the field.



Class level: Beginner-Intermediate.



//

Tools:

A 10X or 5X hand lens is required and may be borrowed.



//

Instructor Bio:

Jeff Pengel was trained as a geologist and botanist and holds degrees in Natural Science and Secondary Education. He is a Certified Interpretive Guide, a Maine Master Naturalist instructor, and an Appalachian Mountain Club volunteer naturalist. Jeff has worked as a geologist, high school science teacher, outdoor educator, and park ranger but has spent most of his career in IT and project management.
with Erin Greenier and Mariah Klapatch
Sunday, September 7
9:30 - 10:45 a.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Step out of your daily routine and into a multi-sensory experience that nourishes body and mind in this all-levels yoga class. Body & Sound combines supported yin yoga, essential oils, and sonic immersion using sound bowls, chimes, and nature-inspired instruments.

Yin yoga focuses on the fascia—the connective tissue that supports and surrounds muscles and organs—using long-held, floor-based poses to encourage release and restoration. Poses are held for three to five minutes in a meditative style. There are no standing movements; all poses are on the ground.

All levels are welcome, and participants are encouraged to engage to the degree that feels best—even simply relaxing and enjoying the sound bath. Please bring your own yoga mat and wear comfortable clothes that allow for ease of movement. Cozy layers like socks and a sweater are recommended for warmth and comfort.



Class level: All



//

Instructor Bios:

Erin Greenier is a certified Yin Yoga instructor, Reiki Master and Reflexologist. She has been in health and healing for over 25 years. Working with fascia (inner connective tissue) and helping others ease into flexibility and healing has been a passion of hers for a long time.

Mariah Klapatch is a certified sound healer, multimedia artist, and collaborative consultant. Sound has always been a core element in her work, and she is deeply grateful to extend her personal meditative healing practice to the public.
with Erica Qualey
Monday - Wednesday, September 8 - 10
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Paint the changing landscape in watercolor during this three-day workshop. Crafted for artists looking to enhance their skills, you'll learn to blend warm, earthy tones for autumn and cool, muted hues for winter, capturing these seasons' unique light and atmosphere. We'll master techniques to paint various trees, colorful foliage, and intricate shadows, adding depth and dimension to your work.



This course is perfect for intermediate watercolorists looking to deepen their understanding of seasonal colors with advanced techniques. Enthusiastic beginners ready to explore the magic of watercolor painting are welcome.



//

Materials:

We may paint Plein Air which means we will be painting in the field and will need to carry our supplies. Creating a portable kit is recommended.



Paints – Recommend starting colors. If you already have a pallet laid out with colors that you prefer, please bring those.

Cadmium Red
Alizarin Crimson
Lemon Yellow
Yellow Ocher
French Ultramarine Blue
Cobalt Blue
Burnt Sienna
Viridian Green


Paper

140 lb. watercolor paper. Cold press surface is recommended. Watercolor blocks or individual sheets of paper, 1/4 or 1/8 ideal.
Support board – at least a 3” margin once your paper is attached. Not needed if using a watercolor block.
White artist tape or low-tack masking tape


//

Artist Biography:

Erica Qualey brings to her workshops 20 years of knowledge gained from experience as a professional watercolor artist. She is a sought-after teacher known by her students to be gentle and encouraging yet thorough. Erica is an award-winning watercolor artist. She received a BFA in design from Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY, and is a Signature Member of The New England Watercolor Society. She has exhibited internationally and has been published in Splash 19: The Illusion of Light. She has worked as a teaching artist for many years, including ten years at the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, ME, and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. She was recently awarded a grant from the Maine Arts Association supporting her work as a virtual art educator.
with Susan Bickford
Saturday, September 20
9 a.m. - noon
Bosarge Family Education Center

Deepening your connection to nature through moving meditation offers enormous benefits for personal well-being. In this gentle and sensory-oriented class, students will experience the practice of walking mindfully through a forest to gain deep serenity and new awareness. Follow Susan Bickford, certified guide in the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku also known as therapy/forest bathing, as she gives you the tools to begin your own meditation practice. The walk ends with a tea ceremony that honors the experience



Class Levels: All Levels



//



Instructor Biography:

Susan Bickford, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, leads walks throughout coastal Maine and co-manages a retreat event annually called the Stillness Kitchen. Susan has many talents connecting her to nature, including a visual arts instructor at the University of Maine Augusta. A native of Maine, Susan has a strong connection to the flora and fauna in our verdant landscape.
with Mindy Lighthipe
Monday, September 22
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Immerse yourself in fall foliage. Using the spectacular leaves found on the grounds of the Gardens', create blazing seasonal watercolor, colored pencil and/or watercolor pencil drawings. All levels are welcome. This class can be taken alone or as part of a five-day series. All levels welcome. Class appropriate to teens 14+.



(Day 1 of 5)



Start the day by creating leaf rubbings to capture the intricate venation of an assortment of leaves
Transfer your drawings to paper and learn to color mix using granulating pigments in watercolor and textures with colored pencil
Create refined details by impressing and lifting veins
Apply additional washes of color to glaze over and create a finished glowing fall leaf!


Take all five classes in the series and save! :LINK TO SERIES



//



Supply List



Graphite Materials List:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19hJ1raO4d2WFpYcPTxFcyuv3rI78Khp2/view?usp=sharing



Multi-Media Materials List:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nrrfzoJEiH_LU2F2qZKb2W3sHaGWhR5E/view?usp=sharing. It is not necessary to have everything on the list. You may choose your medium.



//

Artist Biography:

Mindy Lighthipe

Artist Mindy Lighthipe is passionate about getting out into the natural world and discovering beauty in every rock, stream, and forest. With this passion, she carefully studies her subjects in their environment.

Mindy uses a variety of techniques and media to create her bold imagery. She paints in watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, and pan pastels. It is not uncommon for her to break traditional and classic rules by combining techniques to create her unique and breathtaking style.

Mindy graduated magna cum laude from Kean University with a BFA in studio arts and an MA in art education. She received her 210-hour certification in botanical illustration from the New York Botanical Gardens. After graduating, she went on to teach more than twenty different classes in their botanical art program and developed a 250-hour certificate in natural science illustration.

Mindy has been exhibiting her art since 1998 in juried and solo exhibitions. In 2009, she received a Silver Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society in London. In 2010, she had a solo exhibition at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Mindy currently teaches scientific illustration at the University of Florida. To learn more, visit www.mindylighthipe.com.
with Mindy Lighthipe
Monday - Friday, September 22 - 26
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

The leaves are turning, the air is crisp, and pumpkins and gourds abound! Take advantage of nature’s bounty within Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens' spectacular Dahlia and Iris garden. Spend one, two, three, four, or all five days surrounded by stunning dahlias in full bloom and learn how to draw and paint the fall harvest. All levels are welcome. Class appropriate to teens 14+.



Day 1: Fall Foliage in Blazing Color

Immerse yourself in fall foliage. Using the spectacular leaves found on the grounds of the Gardens', create blazing seasonal watercolor, colored pencil and/or watercolor pencil drawings.

Start the day by creating leaf rubbings to capture the intricate venation of an assortment of leaves
Transfer your drawings to paper and learn to color mix using granulating pigments in watercolor and textures with colored pencil
Create refined details by impressing and lifting veins
Apply additional washes of color to glaze over and create a finished glowing fall leaf!


Day 2 & 3: Pumpkins and Gourds

Fall is an excellent time to learn how to create the lumpy bumpy textures found in the Cucurbitaceae family, known as gourds. Learn all about different gourds, their shapes, and growth cycles. It is recommended, but not required, to take these two days together.



Day 2: Pumpkins and Gourds in Graphite

Rough gestural sketching
Tracing paper overlay to refine the drawing and add details
Create armature drawing and contour of complex textures
"Quick & dirty" tonal drawing to create light on form


Day 3: Pumpkins and Gourds in Color

Discussion of papers and color medium choices
Transfer methods
Dissection of color and creating swatches
Extending color range
Initial application of color
Add layers and details


Day 4 & 5: Dahlia Details

One of the greatest joys of fall is the emergence of the stunning dahlia. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens has a particularly beautiful collection with a variety of shapes and colors.



Day 4: Dahlia Details in Graphite

Rough gestural sketching. Drawing the components of the plant; bud, flower, stem, and leaf
Tracing paper overlay to refine the drawing and add details
Create a composition of the components
“Quick & dirty" tonal drawing to create light on form


Day 5: Dahlia Details in Color

Discussion of papers and color medium choices
Transfer methods using a lightbox and transfer paper
Dissection of color and creating swatches
Extending color range
Initial application of color
Add layers and details


//



Supply List



Graphite Materials List:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19hJ1raO4d2WFpYcPTxFcyuv3rI78Khp2/view?usp=sharing



Multi-Media Materials List:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nrrfzoJEiH_LU2F2qZKb2W3sHaGWhR5E/view?usp=sharing. It is not necessary to have everything on the list. You may choose your medium.



//

Artist Biography:

Mindy Lighthipe

Artist Mindy Lighthipe is passionate about getting out into the natural world and discovering beauty in every rock, stream, and forest. With this passion, she carefully studies her subjects in their environment.

Mindy uses a variety of techniques and media to create her bold imagery. She paints in watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, and pan pastels. It is not uncommon for her to break traditional and classic rules by combining techniques to create her unique and breathtaking style.

Mindy graduated magna cum laude from Kean University with a BFA in studio arts and an MA in art education. She received her 210-hour certification in botanical illustration from the New York Botanical Gardens. After graduating, she went on to teach more than twenty different classes in their botanical art program and developed a 250-hour certificate in natural science illustration.

Mindy has been exhibiting her art since 1998 in juried and solo exhibitions. In 2009, she received a Silver Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society in London. In 2010, she had a solo exhibition at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Mindy currently teaches scientific illustration at the University of Florida. To learn more, visit www.mindylighthipe.com.
with Amanda Devine
Tuesdays, September 23 & October 1 3:00pm-5:00pm and Friday, October 10 9:30am-4:00pm

Invasive species are considered highly undesirable by botany, ecology, horticulture, and conservation professionals—and for good reason. In this three-part course, Amanda Devine, Regional Land Steward for Maine Coast Heritage Land Trust, will identify the basic ecological problems surrounding these aggressive, tenacious plants. We'll discuss the complicated and sometimes political issues, and how a plant becomes labeled "invasive."



After two thorough online sessions, Amanda will guide students in a field study to become better acquainted with some of New England's most common invasive species. You'll leave with strategies for management and prevention.



Class level: Intermediate - Advanced



//

Suggested reading: Maine Invasive Plants Field Guide, Maine Natural Areas Program



//

Instructor Bio:

Amanda Devine is Maine Coast Heritage Trust's Regional Stewardship Manager for Southern Maine. She has worked on the ground in invasive plant management for 13 years and has a master of science from the University of Vermont's Field Naturalist Program. She lives in Freeport, where she spends her free time trying to rid her woodlot of glossy buckthorn.

with Mindy Lighthipe
Tuesday, September 23
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Fall is an excellent time to learn how to create the lumpy bumpy textures found in the Cucurbitaceae family, known as gourds. Learn all about different gourds, their shapes, and growth cycles. This class can be taken alone or as part of a five-day series. It is recommended to take Pumpkins and Gourds in Color as a complement to this class, but it is not required. All levels welcome. Class appropriate to teens 14+.



(Day 2 of 5)



Rough gestural sketching
Tracing paper overlay to refine the drawing and add details
Create armature drawing and contour of complex textures
"Quick & dirty" tonal drawing to create light on form


Take all five classes in the series and save!: LINK TO SERIES



//



Supply List



Graphite Materials List:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19hJ1raO4d2WFpYcPTxFcyuv3rI78Khp2/view?usp=sharing



Multi-Media Materials List:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nrrfzoJEiH_LU2F2qZKb2W3sHaGWhR5E/view?usp=sharing. It is not necessary to have everything on the list. You may choose your medium.



//

Artist Biography:

Mindy Lighthipe

Artist Mindy Lighthipe is passionate about getting out into the natural world and discovering beauty in every rock, stream, and forest. With this passion, she carefully studies her subjects in their environment.

Mindy uses a variety of techniques and media to create her bold imagery. She paints in watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, and pan pastels. It is not uncommon for her to break traditional and classic rules by combining techniques to create her unique and breathtaking style.

Mindy graduated magna cum laude from Kean University with a BFA in studio arts and an MA in art education. She received her 210-hour certification in botanical illustration from the New York Botanical Gardens. After graduating, she went on to teach more than twenty different classes in their botanical art program and developed a 250-hour certificate in natural science illustration.

Mindy has been exhibiting her art since 1998 in juried and solo exhibitions. In 2009, she received a Silver Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society in London. In 2010, she had a solo exhibition at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Mindy currently teaches scientific illustration at the University of Florida. To learn more, visit www.mindylighthipe.com.
with Mindy Lighthipe
Wednesday, September 24
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Fall is an excellent time to learn how to create the lumpy bumpy textures found in the Cucurbitaceae family, known as gourds. Learn all about different gourds, their shapes, and growth cycles. This class can be taken alone or as part of a five-day series. It is recommended to take Pumpkins and Gourds in Graphite as a complement to this class, but it is not required. All levels welcome. Class appropriate to teens 14+.



(Day 3 of 5)



Discussion of papers and color medium choices
Transfer methods
Dissection of color and creating swatches
Extending color range
Initial application of color
Add layers and details


Take all five classes in the series and save!: LINK TO SERIES



//



Supply List



Graphite Materials List:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19hJ1raO4d2WFpYcPTxFcyuv3rI78Khp2/view?usp=sharing



Multi-Media Materials List:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nrrfzoJEiH_LU2F2qZKb2W3sHaGWhR5E/view?usp=sharing. It is not necessary to have everything on the list. You may choose your medium.



//

Artist Biography:

Mindy Lighthipe

Artist Mindy Lighthipe is passionate about getting out into the natural world and discovering beauty in every rock, stream, and forest. With this passion, she carefully studies her subjects in their environment.

Mindy uses a variety of techniques and media to create her bold imagery. She paints in watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, and pan pastels. It is not uncommon for her to break traditional and classic rules by combining techniques to create her unique and breathtaking style.

Mindy graduated magna cum laude from Kean University with a BFA in studio arts and an MA in art education. She received her 210-hour certification in botanical illustration from the New York Botanical Gardens. After graduating, she went on to teach more than twenty different classes in their botanical art program and developed a 250-hour certificate in natural science illustration.

Mindy has been exhibiting her art since 1998 in juried and solo exhibitions. In 2009, she received a Silver Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society in London. In 2010, she had a solo exhibition at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Mindy currently teaches scientific illustration at the University of Florida. To learn more, visit www.mindylighthipe.com.
with Mindy Lighthipe
Thursday, September 25
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

One of the greatest joys of fall is the emergence of the stunning dahlia. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens has a particularly beautiful collection with a variety of shapes and colors. This class can be taken alone or as part of a five-day series. It is recommended to take Dahlia Details in Color as a complement to this class, but it is not required. All levels welcome. Class appropriate to teens 14+.



(Day 4 of 5)



Rough gestural sketching. Drawing the components of the plant; bud, flower, stem, and leaf
Tracing paper overlay to refine the drawing and add details
Create a composition of the components
“Quick & dirty" tonal drawing to create light on form




Take all five classes in the series and save!: LINK TO SERIES



//



Supply List



Graphite Materials List:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19hJ1raO4d2WFpYcPTxFcyuv3rI78Khp2/view?usp=sharing



Multi-Media Materials List:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nrrfzoJEiH_LU2F2qZKb2W3sHaGWhR5E/view?usp=sharing. It is not necessary to have everything on the list. You may choose your medium.



//

Artist Biography:

Mindy Lighthipe

Artist Mindy Lighthipe is passionate about getting out into the natural world and discovering beauty in every rock, stream, and forest. With this passion, she carefully studies her subjects in their environment.

Mindy uses a variety of techniques and media to create her bold imagery. She paints in watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, and pan pastels. It is not uncommon for her to break traditional and classic rules by combining techniques to create her unique and breathtaking style.

Mindy graduated magna cum laude from Kean University with a BFA in studio arts and an MA in art education. She received her 210-hour certification in botanical illustration from the New York Botanical Gardens. After graduating, she went on to teach more than twenty different classes in their botanical art program and developed a 250-hour certificate in natural science illustration.

Mindy has been exhibiting her art since 1998 in juried and solo exhibitions. In 2009, she received a Silver Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society in London. In 2010, she had a solo exhibition at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Mindy currently teaches scientific illustration at the University of Florida. To learn more, visit www.mindylighthipe.com.
with Mindy Lighthipe
Friday, September 26
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

One of the greatest joys of fall is the emergence of the stunning dahlia. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens has a particularly beautiful collection with a variety of shapes and colors. This class can be taken alone or as part of a five-day series. It is recommended to take Dahlia Details in Graphite as a complement to this class, but it is not required. All levels welcome. Class appropriate to teens 14+.



(Day 5 of 5)



Discussion of papers and color medium choices
Transfer methods using a lightbox and transfer paper
Dissection of color and creating swatches
Extending color range
Initial application of color
Add layers and details


Take all five classes in the series and save!: LINK TO SERIES



//



Supply List



Graphite Materials List:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19hJ1raO4d2WFpYcPTxFcyuv3rI78Khp2/view?usp=sharing



Multi-Media Materials List:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nrrfzoJEiH_LU2F2qZKb2W3sHaGWhR5E/view?usp=sharing. It is not necessary to have everything on the list. You may choose your medium.



//

Artist Biography:

Mindy Lighthipe

Artist Mindy Lighthipe is passionate about getting out into the natural world and discovering beauty in every rock, stream, and forest. With this passion, she carefully studies her subjects in their environment.

Mindy uses a variety of techniques and media to create her bold imagery. She paints in watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, and pan pastels. It is not uncommon for her to break traditional and classic rules by combining techniques to create her unique and breathtaking style.

Mindy graduated magna cum laude from Kean University with a BFA in studio arts and an MA in art education. She received her 210-hour certification in botanical illustration from the New York Botanical Gardens. After graduating, she went on to teach more than twenty different classes in their botanical art program and developed a 250-hour certificate in natural science illustration.

Mindy has been exhibiting her art since 1998 in juried and solo exhibitions. In 2009, she received a Silver Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society in London. In 2010, she had a solo exhibition at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Mindy currently teaches scientific illustration at the University of Florida. To learn more, visit www.mindylighthipe.com.
with Rebekah Lowell
Saturday, October 4
1 - 3 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Cultivate your curiosity and deepen your connection to the natural world in this nature journaling workshop with Maine artist, author/illustrator, and naturalist Rebekah Lowell. Participants will explore what nature journaling is and the many ways it can deepen a relationship with the natural world. From there, you’ll begin your own nature journaling practice with hands-on guidance and inspiration.

Through drawing exercises, texture studies, and creative prompts, we’ll explore ways to observe and capture the world around us. Weather permitting, we’ll head into the Gardens for on-site sketching; if not, we’ll work indoors with natural objects as inspiration.

No art experience is necessary—this workshop is open to all, and nature journaling is for everyone. Just bring a few basic sketching supplies and a sense of wonder.



Class level: All



Suggested materials:

sketchbook

pencils

colored pencils

drawing pens

travel watercolor kit



*If you don't have sketching supplies, basic items such as a sketchbook and colored pencils will be provided. Come as you are!



//

Instructor Bio:

Rebekah Lowell is an award-winning author/illustrator, naturalist, designer, and educator with a curiosity for the natural world. A survivor of domestic abuse, she is passionate about resilience, freedom, and hope. Her middle grade novel in verse, THE ROAD TO AFTER (Nancy Paulsen/Penguin), was a Junior Library Guild selection. Her picture book, CATCHING FLIGHT (Doubleday/Random House), was long-listed for the World Illustration Awards. Her painting, Monarchs & Milkweed, was chosen for the Common Ground Fair Poster for 2023, and she is a six-time Maine Duck Stamp artist. She earned her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and her MFA from Hollins University. She earned her Nature Journal Educator certificate through the Wild Wonder Foundation and is earning her certificate in Natural Science Illustration through RISD. She is also a Maine Master Naturalist. She serves on the Board of Directors for York County Audubon, transports birds for Avian Haven, and rescues monarchs from local hayfields. She is an Adjunct Professor of Art, teaching Graphic Design and Nature Journaling at the University of New England, and homeschools her daughters. Learn more about Rebekah and her work at www.rebekahlowell.com
with Maggie Haaland
Sunday, October 5
1 - 3:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Empower yourself with the skills to mend clothing and give new life to well-loved garments through the beautiful and sustainable practice of visible mending. In this gentle and fun 2.5-hour workshop, we’ll explore the basics of visible clothing repair—an artful approach that not only fixes what’s torn but also adds beauty in the process. Visible mending is a powerful step we can take to give our clothing more life and keep it from the landfill as we seek to build a more sustainable world.

The first half of class will involve instruction and stitch practice, while the second half will give space to work on your own items and connect with others in a relaxed, community-oriented setting. All mending materials are provided, and participants are invited to bring a couple of garments to repair. Beginners are warmly welcome!



Class level: All



//

Instructor Bio:

Maggie Ruth Haaland (they/she) is a queer fiber artist, visible mender, natural dyer, quilter and herbalist living in coastal Maine. They believe deeply in community, making, and the power of vulnerability to transform our world and bring us into deeper connection with the land, ourselves, and each other. She has hands in many pots, but plants weave their way into every one of them. She teaches workshops regularly throughout New England.

with Susan Bartlett Rice
Monday - Wednesday, October 6 - 8
10 a.m, - 3 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Explore the unique architectural elements that blend seamlessly with nature in the Gardens. Discover how to capture the beauty of garden structures, from bridges and trellises to the whimsical Children's Garden play cottage, as you learn techniques to enhance your painting skills. Guided by Maine artist Susan Bartlett Rice, you'll create your own paintings inspired by the stunning autumn surroundings. No prior experience is necessary—just bring your creativity and a love for art and nature! This is a three day workshop suitable for adults teens 14+.



This class will move between the classroom and outdoors, weather permitting.



//

Materials:

The materials list for this class can be found here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WMHufreUQ9HWNl-zImYbmGkK6WP8Nleg/view?usp=sharing





//

Artist Biography:

Susan Bartlett Rice is best known for her colorful paintings of Maine and, more recently, for her large-scale public murals in Damariscotta, Portland, Biddeford, and Portsmouth.

Rice’s education includes a BA in Studio Art and Art History from the University of Vermont with further studies in illustration at The Rhode Island School of Design. She has held positions at The RISD Museum and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Her work is shown in both public and private collections and has been featured in ArtNews, Downeast Magazine, and Maine Magazine. She is represented through her own working studio: Susan Bartlett Rice Studio in Walpole. www.susanbartlettrice.com

with Courtney Locke
Saturday, October 11
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Unlock the secrets to successful dahlia propagation in this hands-on class designed for adult gardeners of all levels. Learn when to dig up your dahlias, how to inspect tubers for disease or rot, and the best techniques for drying and storing them through the off-season. We’ll dive into the anatomy of a tuber, identify what parts are essential for new growth, and walk through identifying and removing the mother tuber, along with proper dividing techniques and timing. You’ll leave with the knowledge to keep your dahlias thriving year after year.



Class level: All



//

Instructor Bio:

Courtney Locke is a horticulturist at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, where she has worked for 15 years. At the Gardens, she manages the Emery Welcome Garden, and the Dahlia and Iris Garden. A lifelong gardener and perennial lover, she and her husband ran their own nursery business, specializing in peonies, perennials, and herbs for many years in Woolwich, Maine. Her current gardening obsessions include cut flower arrangements, dahlias, orchids, predatory plants, and scuffle hoeing.
with Irene Barber
Friday, October 24, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Saturday, November 1 & Sunday, November 2
9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

If you want to design landscapes inspired by and inclusive of nature, studying design principles through the lens of natural systems is essential. In this three-day course led by landscape designer and horticulturist Irene Brady Barber, students will learn to identify and incorporate the components of ecological landscape design. Online and onsite, we will examine the systems influencing design decisions, practice environmental site analysis, and design conceptual plot plans for a selected site.



Class Level: Intermediate-Advanced



//



Materials needed:

Pencils, 11 "x17" or 18" x 24" graph and tracing paper, an eraser block, straight-edge (engineer's) ruler, circular template, compass, and drafting adhesive dots.

Suggested reference: Integrated Landscaping: Following Nature's Lead, authors: Chase and Davis



//



Instructor Bios:

Irene Brady Barber designs gardens and landscapes with an ecological and holistic approach under her horticulture & landscape design company Greenscapes Design LLC. For 25 years and upon completing degrees in human behavior and plants and sciences, Irene has been deepening people’s connections to plants as a horticulturist, educator, landscape designer, and Registered Horticultural Therapist. Mrs. Barber is an active board member of the Ecological Landscape Alliance, a certified Sustainable Landscape Practitioner of the Maine Landscape and Nursery Association and the Northeast Organic Farmers’ Association and is the VP of the Northeast Horticultural Therapy Network. A collaborator and networker, Irene works with allied professionals to achieve sustainable landscapes and gardens for a wide variety of public and private settings. A lifetime student, Irene strongly believes in the fact that learning from people, nature and research is endless.
with Caroline Davis
Saturday, October 25
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Wow your neighbors and friends with these stunning decoupaged pumpkins. Gardens' Arts Coordinator Caroline Clare Davis will demonstate how to adorn your fall centerpiece with pressed garden flowers, grasses, and berries. Each participant will go home with one small pumpkin and one medium/large pumpkin. No tricks, only treats here!



All levels are welcome. Suitable for teens 14+.



//

Materials:

glue gun and glue stix


//

Artist Biography:

Caroline Clare Davis is an artist, floral designer, and the Arts and Exhibits Coordinator at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

mimiandmum.com

with Andy Juele
Saturday, November 8
9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

We can have profound experiences in nature, from fleeting seconds of sunset to entire seasons of transformation. While these moments seem universal, expressing our personal connection to nature authentically can be challenging. How can we distill singular experiences into words that resonate?

Join poet and writer Andy Juele to learn how to create a writing practice that nurtures our time spent in nature, using examples from poetry, essay, and fiction to explore themes of the environment, self, and community. This workshop includes time outside in the gardens and trails for inspiration, as well as multiple opportunities for generative writing and small group workshopping. Please come prepared to share your work and respond to the work of others. This course is open to writers of all forms and genres.



Class Level: Beginner to Intermediate.



//



Supplies:

notebook

writing utensils

laptop (optional for those who prefer to type)



//

Instructor Bio:

Andy Juele (she/her) is a Filipina-American writer from Bronxville, New York, currently residing in Bath, Maine. She studied Creative Writing and English Literature at New Jersey City University and holds an M.Ed in Community Engagement from Merrimack College. Andy’s poetry and nonfiction examines the natural world, grapples with multifaceted identities, delights in food, and considers decolonization through artistic expression. Her work is featured in Asteri(x) Journal and with the Asian American Writers’ Workshop in The Margins.