Events

Select the event you want to attend.

Event Type: 
Month:  
Thursday - Sunday, June 12 - 15
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Outside at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Our four day annual FREE Plein Air Days is back! Artists, pack your easels, paints, brushes and pencils and make art in a beautiful garden setting. Pre-registerion is requested and we ask that on your visit you do not block our walkways or enter flower beds. We can't wait to see your beautiful creations!
May 1, 2025 through October 19, 2025

Dad gets in free this Father's Day (June 15.) You don't need to reserve their ticket when purchasing yours.

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.
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.
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.
with Lon Ames
Monday,June 16
10:30 a.m. - Noon

Ferns bring lush, vibrant life to shade gardens with their elegant fronds and incredible diversity, thriving in cool, moist environments where many plants can't keep up. Did you know there are thousands of fern species? Join horticulturist and conservation specialist Lon Ames for a tour to explore the fern collection at the Gardens, where you'll learn about their ecology, genera, species, and unique cultivars.
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. 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.
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 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 Bill Cullina
Friday, June 20 3:30 p.m.-7 p.m. & Saturday, June 28 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Online and Bosarge Family Education Center

Plants don’t grow in isolation—they constantly interact with the world around them. In this two-day hybrid class, explore how garden plants respond to both abiotic factors like temperature, soil pH, humidity, and sunlight, and biotic influences like other plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and even humans. Join Bill Cullina—former Director of Horticulture and President & CEO at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, now Director of the Morris Arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania, and author of Native Ferns, Mosses, & Grasses—for an in-depth look at how plants adapt, compete, and depend on these influences. You'll learn concepts like parasitism, pollination, plant adaptation, and dispersal.



After the online session on day one, spend day two in the living classroom of the Gardens, where students will put knowledge into action by observing and evaluating both wild and cultivated landscapes.



Level: Intermediate to Advanced.



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Instructor Bio: Instructor Biography

William "Bill" Cullina is a well-known horticulturist and award-winning author of books such as, “Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines”; “Understanding Orchids”; “Native Ferns, Mosses, and Grasses”; and “Understanding Perennials.” As the former Director of Horticulture and President & CEO of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, he co-authored “Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens: A People’s Garden.” Mr. Cullina was also the lead propagator and greenhouse grower at what is now called The Native Plant Trust. In 2019. William Cullina became the Executive Director of Morris Arboretum for the University of Pennsylvania.
with Caroline Davis and Meredith Hazlett
Saturday and Sunday, June 21, 22
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Join floral design team, Mimi and Mum, for this fun two-day weekend workshop on wearable floral art. Learn how to make stunning wristlets, head wreaths, and body jewelry from fresh flowers and foliage. Students will utilize some preserved and dried florals to create an everlasting wearable lapel art or headpiece. All levels are welcome. Class appropriate to teens 14+.



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Materials:

There is a $50 supply fee for this class payable to Meredith during class.



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Artist Biography:



Meredith Kendrick Hazlett (Mimi) and Caroline Clare Davis (Mum) are a mother-daughter floral design team that specializes in weddings and events.

Caroline Clare Davis is also the Coordinator at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden.

https://www.mimiandmum.com

with Caroline Davis
Monday and Tuesday, June 23, 24
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Using a beautiful fresh floral arrangement as inspiration, paint a still life in gouache. Students will learn various gouache methods and techniques, including applying opaque, thick brush strokes and thin glazing. With an emphasis on color experimentation, we'll explore different papers and surfaces. Arrangements are lovingly prepared by Mimi and Mum Floral Design.



All levels are welcome. Suitable for teens 14+.



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Materials:

Recommended paints: Turner Gouache Set of 12 colors, to include: Brilliant Violet, Rose Violet, Permanent Red, Permanent Yellow Orange, Permanent Lemon, Permanent Yellow Green, Permanent Green Middle.



Other good brands: M. Graham Artists' Gouache, Holbein Artist Gouache, Da Vinci Professional Gouache, Winsor Newton Designer Gouache.



DO NOT purchase gouache with acrylic in the description.



Several large sheets of good watercolor paper: Lanaquarelle or Arches is recommended.



A variety of watercolor brushes, fine, rounds, and flats. They don't need to be expensive.



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Artist Biography:



Caroline Clare Davis is a painter, floral designer, and the Arts Coordinator at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.

with Hélène Farrar
Wednesday - Friday, June 25 - 27
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Let’s dig into recycling and discover the artistic potential of discarded cardboard, egg crates, paper, and plastic containers. Students will explore, design, and construct imaginative critters inspired by the woods, ocean, and beyond. This hands-on workshop is perfect for young artists with abundant energy and imagination.



Students will explore:

How materials can ignite ideas
How to transform sketches into sculptures
Adhesive techniques
Painting practices focused on texture and color relationships


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



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Educator Bio:

Hélène Farrar has taught and worked in the visual arts for twenty years while actively exhibiting in commercial, nonprofit, and university galleries in New England, New York City, Pennsylvania, Italy, and England. Farrar has a BA in studio art from the University of Maine and an MFA in interdisciplinary arts from Goddard College in Vermont. Hélène currently owns and operates her own private art school in Maine out of her “Farmhouse” studio, where she holds a variety of workshops and classes for children and adults.
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. 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 Bret Bemis
Friday, June 27
9:30 a.m. - noon
Captain Fitzgerald Recreation and Conservation

Join Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens for an educational walk at Captain Fitzgerald Recreation and Conservation Area in Brunswick. Visit one of Maine's few remaining Sandplain Pine Barren communities, and you will leave with the skills to identify endemic native plant species and how to recreate elements of this native plant community in your home landscape. If the weather permits, we will see dozens of pollinating insects and birds, so bring your hand lenses and binoculars. We'll have extra on hand if you don't have these items. Class level: all.
with Mary Beth Morrison
Monday - Wednesday, June 30 - July 2
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

In this lively workshop, we'll play with color and patterns to represent symbiosis in the natural world. Students will tell a visual story of the interrelationships between plants, animals and their environment through the layering of materials, both handmade and found, combined with paint and pastels. Students will learn how to create botanical prints, an accordion book, and will be encouraged to make daily observations of the Gardens in a sketchbook.



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



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Educator Bio:

Mary Beth began making in art in childhood, later discovering watercolors with Stan Keirstead, a regional landscape painter. She has explored printmaking, clay work, painting, collage, gallery ownership, teaching, and collaborations. She currently serves with the Pastel Society of Maine, exhibits her work at Art Space Gallery, and teaches classes in her studio in New Sharon, Maine.
with Jen Dunlap and Erika Huber
Wednesday, July 2
10:30 a.m. - noon
Alfond Children's Garden

Our beloved Harold and Bibby Alfond Children's Garden has long been one of our most popular gardens. Inspired by well-known children's books by Maine authors, this garden features several distinct areas that bring these stories to life. Join Jen Dunlap and Erika Huber as they share the full story behind our Children's Garden.
with CMBG Youth Education Staff
Monday - Friday, July 7 - 11
9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Budding gardeners will spend the week digging, planting, watering, and harvesting fruits and vegetables in our learning garden. We'll investigate the inner workings of the garden from the ground up and get the real "dirt" on plants, life cycles, composting, garden critters, and more! Sign your campers up for a week filled with games, explorations, garden snack-making, and take-home garden projects.



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



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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.

with Lesley Paxson and Garron Dorr
Thursday, July 10
1 - 2:30 p.m.
Lerner Garden

The Lerner Garden of the Five Senses engages all five senses through unique design elements and plantings. It is designed to be accessible and inviting for everyone. This garden is also home to our Horticultural Therapy Program, which promotes healing through plants. Join Lesley Paxson and Garron Dorr for a guided tour of the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses and our Horticultural Therapy Program.
with Melissa Keyser
Saturday, July 12
8 - 11 a.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Hone your digital photography skills and learn to take beautiful photos of flowers, plants, and landscapes using your iPhone. In this engaging workshop, we'll explore the Gardens before opening hours and learn ways to avoid blurry images, tips for composing, how best to use your iPhone's features, and much more. Back in the classroom, we'll explore editing options to make your photos stand out and shine.



Class level: beginner. Also appropriate for teens.



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Artist Biography:

Melissa Keyser is a professional photographer and the Gardens' Content and Creative Specialist. You've likely seen her images on the Gardens' social media accounts, printed materials, or newsletters. Before working at the Gardens, she owned her business as a professional photographer, working primarily with artisans and flower farmers and teaching photography classes for women. Known for her fun and down-to-earth teaching style, she's passionate about capturing the garden's beauty through photography and helping people connect to nature through exploratory learning and creativity.

with Suzanne Stokes
Monday and Tuesday, July 14, 15
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

This two-day workshop will focus on creating monoprints on various papers. Unlike most printmaking techniques, which allow for multiple originals, monoprinting creates a single, unique image at a time. The beauty of this technique lies in its spontaneity and its allowance for combinations of printmaking, painting, and various mark-making methods that can be printed multiple times in various ways. All levels are welcome. Suitable for teens 14+.



Participants will combine hand-cut stencils, trace monoprint techniques, stamps, brushes, brayers, and various plants to make delightful and captivating imagery without a printing press. Multiple techniques will be explored, such as additive and subtractive methods of ink manipulation and how to make multi-layered colored prints. Composition, line quality, pattern, texture, opacity levels, ink layering to create depth, and color mixing with water-based inks will all be covered in this workshop. Inspiration for subject matter can come from plants, objects, photographs, drawings, sketchbooks, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, and your imagination! Through experimentation, each participant will come away with a series of unique, compelling, colorful, multi-layered prints.



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Materials:

4” and 2.4” Brayers- soft- for example- Affcore, Speedball, Teemico
6” (optional) Brayers- soft- for example- Affcore, Speedball, Teemico
#11 X-acto knife, with 5+ extra blades- X-acto Knife
Self-healing cutting matt- size A3 recommended but at least an 8” x 10” will work well.
Barren- Yasutomo, Speedball OR wooden cooking spoon (both work equally as well for burnishing)
Nori paste- for collage and chine Collé
Computer Printer paper- 40 sheets or more (for test prints, collage, etc)
A variety of papers to try- bring what you have
Paint brushes, pencil, bamboo skewers, other wooden tools for making impressions, etc.
Spray Bottle for water
Tweezers
Paper towels
Cotton rags
Masking tape
Watercolors, colored pencils, pastels, etc. to work with after the print is done (optional)
Plastic gloves (optional)


Supplies for Purchase from Suzanne- $60 per Student

8” x 10” Gel Plate
Water-Based Inks
A variety of heavier printmaking papers


Supplies Suzanne will provide:

Mylar- for cutting stencils
Mat Board (to make tools from)
Variety of mark-making tools
Various papers


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Artist Biography:

Suzanne Stokes lives and creates her work in both New York’s Hudson Valley and Boothbay Harbor, ME. Her monoprints, installations, and performance work have been shown locally, nationally, and internationally. She began making monoprints in 2011 and explored papermaking and embossing soon after. She is also the founder and artistic director of the theatrical, shadow-based performance group Cave Dogs. Suzanne was born and raised in Kent, Ohio, and received her BFA from Kent State University, OH, and her MFA from the State University of New Paltz, NY; both Fine Art degrees were a concentration in Metals. She is a Professor in the Art Department at SUNY New Paltz, NY.
with Zac Smith-Hess
Wednesday, July 16
10:30 a.m. - noon

Bugs are more than just pests! They help keep our soils healthy, break down dead material, and so much more. Join Zac Smith-Hess on this tour as we travel around the Gardens, exploring the life of our beneficial bugs. Along the walk, Zac will share his expert knowledge of the perils facing our tiny friends.
with Jeff O'Donal
Friday, July 18
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

What’s an evergreen, yet not always an evergreen? In this field-study class, Jeff O’Donal, nurseryman and conifer grower, will explore the extensive world of conifers, including native and non-native species, specimen plants, and those great for naturalizing into our native landscapes. We'll explore the diverse shapes and sizes, variations of gold and blue, soft or coarse textures, varieties of needle lengths, deciduous or evergreen, fragrant or neutral—there’s something for every style and landscape.



Class level: Beginner-Intermediate.



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Instructor Bio:

To say Jeff O'Donal has lived as a nursery grower all his life is not an understatement. Jeff grew up on the premises of what is today’s O’Donal’s Nursery in Gorham, Maine. In 2005, Jeff bought the nursery from his father, Royce, who purchased the nursery in 1959 from what was Jackson Nursery and Landscaping (circa 1850). The nursery is a legacy and landmark for many thousands of New Englanders to procure plants annually. Jeff, a graduate of Stockbridge School of Agriculture, is incredibly passionate about growing plants, as you’ll see when you attend any of his workshops or lectures, particularly about daylilies and evergreens.
with Kimberly Post
Saturday - Sunday, July 19 - 20
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Advance your digital photography skills using your iPhone or iPad in this exciting and engaging workshop. Join artist and instructor Kimberly Post and her trusty assistant, Professor John, on photographic explorations through the Gardens as you learn to capture nature in creative and unique ways. Back in the classroom, work with a variety of editing apps to enhance your photos and create images as you build your own digital portfolio. The weekend culminates in a gallery-style exhibit for family and friends. Please contact the Gardens if you do not have an iOS device but are interested in taking this workshop.



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



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Educator Bio:

Kimberly Post, artist, photographer, and educator, lives outside of Brunswick, Maine. Her art embraces the natural world and she likes to closely observe flora and fauna in all stages of living and dying. As one of the early innovators of the iPhoneography movement, she holds workshops teaching people of all ages how to "see" with iOS technology. Kimberly has a PhD in education and a BFA in fine art photography. She currently serves as Associate Dean of Environmental Graduate Studies at Unity Environmental University.
with Delaney Pitman
Saturday, July 19
9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Weeds, by casual definition, are undesired plants found in a specific location. Delany Pitman, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Horticulturist, leads a combination of field study and lecture discussing the perception of weeds, identification, cultural management, and ecology. You'll leave with a broader understanding of what and why plants are commonly known as "weeds" and whether they might be embraced or removed from a garden or landscape.



Class level: all.



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Instructor Bio:

Delaney Pitman, staff Horticulturist and Co-chair of the Invasive and Non-native Species Committee at the Gardens, has a Bachelor's degree in Ecology and Environmental Biology with a minor in Recreational Outdoor Education. Delaney studied and worked at the New York Botanical Garden's School of Professional Horticulture for 2 years before joining the Gardens' horticulture team. During free time, Delaney sails, paddleboards, goes camping, and shopping at thrift stores.
with CMBG Youth Education Staff
Monday - Friday, July 21 - 25
9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Our summer nature camps provide fun and enriching opportunities for children to learn about the natural world. New exploration-filled activities will take us on adventures throughout the Gardens and surrounding forests as we investigate food chains, adaptations, the water cycle, arthropods, pond life, and more. Through observations, games, stories, experiments, and nature-related crafts, campers will be well on their way to becoming young naturalists by the end of the week!



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



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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.

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



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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


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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 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.
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.



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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 and Sunday, August 2, 3
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 two day workshop. Participants will learn how to make paper at home or in a studio, leaving with their own paper creations. No previous papermaking experience is required. Suitable for teens 14+.



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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:https://shorturl.at/hL7JT )
Big and small towels for water absorption


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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.



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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.

with Dylan Dubay
Friday, August 8
10 - 11:30 a.m.

Join Dylan Dubay on a tour across the Gardens as he shares his passion for rare and unique plants. Along the way, Dylan will highlight a selection of specimens, each with distinctive features that make them unique. Learn what differentiates these plants and how they contribute to their local landscapes.
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.



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Suggested reference: The Plants of Acadia National Park, by Glen Mittelhauser, Gregory, Rooney, and Weber
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.



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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.)


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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 Rebecca McMackin
Thursday, August 28
4:30 - 6 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Gone are the days when a garden could be ornamental alone. We now understand the impact our land care practices have on the ecosystems around us and recognize the importance of encouraging biodiversity. The good news? We don’t have to sacrifice beauty when we invite butterflies and songbirds into our gardens. Discover how ecological approaches to gardening can transform both spaces and communities with Rebecca McMackin in this year's Ina & Lewis Heafitz Endowed Lecture Series.



Rebecca McMackin has cultivated gorgeous landscapes in the toughest environments possible: urban parks, school playgrounds, and the sidewalks of New York City. She will take lessons from her work at Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Brooklyn Museum, and decades of research to share how those of us who are fortunate enough to care for land can do it beautifully and ecologically.



General admission to the Gardens is included in your registration, so please feel free to arrive at your convenience with your ticket in hand.

Special Presentation: All Levels



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Presenter Biography:

Rebecca McMackin is an ecologically obsessed horticulturist and garden designer. She writes, lectures, and teaches on ecological landscape management and pollination ecology, as well as designs the rare public garden. She is currently Lead Horticulturist for the American Horticultural Society, an Associate with the Harvard Divinity School’s Thinking with Plants and Fungi Initiative, and Consulting Arboretum Curator for Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, NY.

Rebecca spent a decade as Director of Horticulture of Brooklyn Bridge Park, where she managed 85 acres of diverse parkland organically. Their research into cultivating urban biodiversity and ethical management strategies has influenced thousands of people and entire urban park systems to adopt similar approaches. She has been published by and featured in the New York Times, Gardens Illustrated, on NPR, and PBS. Her garden for the Brooklyn Museum recently won the PPA’s Award of Excellence, and her TED Talk has been viewed over a million times. She holds MScs from Columbia University and University of Victoria in landscape design and biology, and recently completed the Loeb Fellowship at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
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



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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



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



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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.



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Tools:

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



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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 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.



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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


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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



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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



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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.



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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



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



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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 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.



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Materials:

The materials list for this class can be found here:

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





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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 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



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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



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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+.



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Materials:

glue gun and glue stix


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Artist Biography:

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

mimiandmum.com