Events

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Event Type: 
Month:  
with Monique Bosch
Friday, April 4 & Saturday, April 12
9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Soil is a living matrix of chemical and biological interactions, and a fundamental understanding of soil science is critical when selecting well-adapted native plants or choosing amendments needed by native plant communities. This two-day hybrid class for the ecologically-minded grower will discuss soil texture, chemistry, water-holding capacity, the biologically diverse life in the soil, and how these dynamic relationships can affect a plant's health.



Day one's online lecture will set the stage for day two's field-study evaluation and soil samples examination, including under the microscope.



Class Level: Intermediate



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Suggested Reference: Soil Science for Gardeners, Robert Pavlis



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Instructor Bio:

Monique Bosch studied the Soil Food Web under Dr. Elaine Ingham and teaches soils classes for CT Northeast Organic Farmers' Association, Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, and started a Food and Resilience Center at Bard College in the Berkshires. Monique manages school and community gardens and farms around the northeast, including a 2-acre urban farm in Bridgeport, CT. Areas of specialty are microscopy of living soils, test trials, and compost production.

with Irene Brady Barber and Cheryl Salatino
Saturday, April 5
9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

When we design a garden, we do much more than create a space to show off favorite flowers; we reflect personality and a sense of place, incorporating circulation, function, and design principles. Join us at the Gardens as we continue to apply landscape design principles, as introduced in Class 1 - Foundations and Inspirations, to explore the conceptual process that awakens creativity and trains the brain to draw freehand to form and render multiple schematics and design ideas. There’s significant value in exercising different concepts, including organizational strategies and functional choices, in order to come to a design solution that feels considerate and fulfilling.



Happening outdoors and indoors at the Gardens, students will become inspired to practice on their own projects after a lecture and group exercises. This is the 5th session of the 8-Part Garden Design Series, therefore we strongly recommend students come prepared with design materials, including a Base Plan. Students are welcome to attend this class as a stand-alone or deepen their knowledge with the entire series. Those who register for the eight-part series will get eight classes for the price of seven. Learn more here.



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Supplies:

Base Plan
Drafting Pencils
Colored Pencils or Markers
Scale
Circular Template
Drafting Compass
Trace Paper
Sketch Pad
Drafting Tape/Masking Tape
with Lon Ames and Lindsey Cash
Tuesday, April 8
3 - 5 p.m.
Online

Spring ephemerals play an essential role early in the season, taking in sunlight and supporting pollinators before the leaf-out of canopy trees takes over in summer. After a dark winter, the first blooms dazzle with unique shapes, colors, and fragrances—but only for a short while! Learn how to spot these blooms before they go. Led by Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens horticulturalists, the discussion will include habits, ecological benefits, and characteristics that make these small blooms have a big impact.
with Cheryl Salatino
Thursday, April 10
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Online

Applying effective structure and movement to a garden fulfills a desired experience, engaging a person to physically or visually move throughout the living space with a purpose or goal. Structure and movement establish a program arranging key components and complementary features within and transitioning between spaces. Beyond thinking of a row of shrubs, a fence, a path, or a wall, students will learn how to shape and organize an area for use, transition, circulation, and enclosure to lead the eye to micro and macro destinations. We’ll explore design patterns and basic geometry to achieve our goals. With a few conceptual plans sketched, the next step is to practice applying these organizational and aesthetically functional tools.



This is the sixth session of the Garden Design: 8-Part Series. Students are welcome to attend this class as a stand-alone or deepen their knowledge with the entire series. Those who register for the eight-part series will get eight classes for the price of seven. Learn more here.



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Supplies:

Trace paper or sketch paper
Drafting pencil
Colored pencils
Drafting eraser
Recommended Base Plan
with Courtney Locke
Tuesday, April 15
3 - 5 p.m.
Online

Join dahlia lover and horticulturist Courtney Locke to learn the best methods for growing these stunning gems. We’ll cover all aspects of locating, planting, and growing dahlia tubers, including purchasing, site planning, soil preparation, staking, feeding, pest protection, and (finally!) cutting and enjoying these sumptuous flowers. Class Level: all.
with Irene Brady Barber and Cheryl Salatino
Saturday, April 19
9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

A well-designed year-round garden is made up of layers, from groundcovers to the highest canopies. A garden design planview helps to show detailed arrangement of the materials, including any paths, fences, walls, buildings, and plants. This class explores the drawing process of how to clearly select, separate, and illustrate layers of information onto layered drafts of trace paper. The most important layer of the design includes the Base Plan, created in Class 3 of this Series. Students will leave the interactive workshop with a new or refreshed perspective of their garden and overall landscape and know how to articulate the layers that make for clear and comprehensive garden design.



This is the seventh session of the Garden Design: 8-Part Series; we strongly recommend students bring a foundational Base Plan and conceptual ideas to get the most out of the session. Students are welcome to attend this class as a stand-alone or deepen their knowledge with the entire series. Those who register for the eight-part series will get eight classes for the price of seven. Learn more here.



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Supplies:

Drafting Pencils (.7mm & .5mm)
Colored Pencils
Engineer Scale
Base Plan
Trace Paper: 11x17 or 18x24
Masking or Drafting tape
Triangle
Protractor
Compass
Landscape or Circle Template
Photos of the design area
with Mindy Lighthipe
Tuesdays, April 22, 29, May 6, 13
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Online

Spring into a new artistic skill! What better way to learn to draw and paint than by observing the spring bulbs popping up in your garden? In this online class, you'll learn how to study and dissect flowers, practice drawing delicate petals, and capture the essence of their unique structures. Discover key identifying characteristics such as petal count, stamen arrangement, flower shape, and color mixing. Receive positive, helpful feedback on your work in a supportive live zoom environment, and immerse yourself in the beauty of spring flowers. All levels are welcome. Suitable for teens 14+.



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Materials:

The following list is recommended for artists working in graphite:

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



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Artist Biography:

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 Bryan Peterson
Friday, April 25 & Saturday, May 3
9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

A core understanding of plant biology will open up the world of plants for any gardener. Through discussion, lecture, and hands-on lab work, this class begins with basic plant anatomy, exploring how every aspect of a plant works to sustain photosynthesis, respiration, and water and mineral uptake.



Session one takes place online and will trace the life cycle of a flowering plant, from germination to seed dispersal.



Session two takes place in the living classroom of the Gardens, examining plants and their botanical characteristics through hand lenses and field study.



Class Level: Intermediate



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Suggested Reference: Botany for Gardeners, Fourth Edition, Bryan Capron



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Instructor Bio:

Bryan Peterson, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of environmental horticulture at the University of Maine, where his research strives to identify, characterize, and further develop promising ornamental plants for New England landscapes, with a focus on the protection and responsible use of indigenous flora. He teaches botany, greenhouse & nursery management, and native plant ecology, among other topics. Mr. Peterson characterizes genetic diversity within high-priority taxa to evaluate ecological and genetic security of natural genetic resources in relation to consequences of biological invasions and/or climate change and to work toward the responsible selection, development, and release of new ornamental horticulture crops for New England’s nursery and landscape industry.
with Cheryl Salatino and Irene Brady Barber
Saturday, April 26
9:30 a.m, - 4 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

A comprehensive drawn plan enables designers to understand the scope and requirements of implementing a new garden. In this final session of the Garden Design: 8-Part Series, we focus on the final steps of the design process from paper to building and enjoyment. After a brief recap of the design process, we'll address how to merge layers of information that are essential to communicating the design. Through lecture and group collaboration, students will present their design projects and exchange constructive feedback. We'll explore sustainable means for making the design come to fruition, including developing a budget, material selection and procurement, identifying the manual and mechanical installation processes, and creating a garden management plan. Students should come with a design project they've been working on, no matter the stage.



Happening at the Gardens, this is the last session of the Garden Design: 8-Part Series. Instruction will happen both outdoors and indoors with a PowerPoint lecture, active design time, and constructive presentation. As this class is the final session of the 8-part Garden Design Series, we strongly recommend students bring all design materials developed thus far in order to get the most out of the session. Students are welcome to attend this class as a stand-alone or deepen their knowledge with the entire series. Those who register for the eight-part series will get eight classes for the price of seven. Learn more here.



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Supplies:

Drafting Pencil
Colored Pencils
Engineer Scale
Vellum and Trace Paper: 11x17 or 18x24
Any design schematics and base plans available
Masking or drafting tape
Triangle
Protractor
Compass
Landscape or Circle Template
Photos of the design area
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.
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.
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 ($20 in-person)

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

Children under 3: 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.
with Susan Bickford
Saturday, May 3
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, or forest 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 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 Bridget VerVaet
Monday, May 5
10 - 11:30 a.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Identify migrating and resident birds on this fun, family-friendly walk. Learn about their adaptations and nesting habits. Participants will learn to identify birds by their calls, plumage, and behavior. Binoculars will be available to borrow. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
with Erica Qualey
Monday, May 5
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Spring blooms like tulips, daffodils, and azaleas will become the subject as students work on painting larger-than-life flowers. We'll focus on observation techniques, learning how to scale, mix colors, apply masking techniques, and create large washes of watercolor. Students will work towards having a finished piece by the end of the day. A flower dissection will allow students to learn about flower anatomy to guide their work. Whether new to watercolor or working on refining your skills, this class is appropriate for all skill levels.



Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register for multiple programs or register more than one child for the same program receive a special discounted rate at checkout. Financial Aid is available. Please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org for an application.



All art supplies are included.



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Educator Bio:

Erica Qualey lives in Maine and works as a watercolor artist and illustrator. She is an award-winning member of the New England Watercolor Society and has exhibited nationally and internationally. Teaching students of all ages to draw and paint has become another passion for Erica in recent years. Her youth programming through the Skidompha Library is very popular, and she has also worked with children through visiting artist programs. She was recently awarded a grant from the Maine Arts Association supporting her work as a virtual art educator.
with CMBG Youth Education Staff
Monday, May 5
2 - 3 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Spring is an important time for amphibians in Maine as they migrate to vernal pools to breed and lay eggs. During this class, participants will explore the many vernal pools at the Gardens in search of wood frog and spotted salamander eggs as well as other seasonal residents. Participants will learn how to tell the difference between frog and salamander eggs, learn what makes vernal pools unique, and gain an understanding of their important role in the forest ecosystem. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
with Caroline Davis
Monday, May 5
10 - 11 a.m.
Online

Join Arts and Exhibits Coordinator Caroline Clare Davis for this online Orientation for our Certificate in Botanical Arts program.
Learn about the requirements to achieve your goal of earning your Certificate and find out about the exciting new classes offered in 2025.
with CMBG Youth Education Staff
Monday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 14
noon - 1:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Explore the Gardens with us as we work on our observation skills by looking closely for the details that tell us spring has arrived. We’ll look closely under leaves and up in the trees, above ground and below, and even in the pond. Along the way, we’ll learn the names of some of our spring blooms. A scavenger hunt activity will help guide our search. We’ll end the session by planting a spring flower to take home and care for. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
with Cristina Pellegrini
Monday, May 5, noon - 1:30 p.m. and Monday, June 2, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Humans have always relied on plants as medicine, and plants inspire hundreds of modern-day medicines. Come take a stroll through the Gardens and meet some of our favorite spring medicinal plants. We’ll use our senses to feel, touch, taste, and get to know some healing plants you can use in your everyday life to support various ailments such as upset stomachs, colds, anxiety, basic first aid, and so much more! The session will end with an herbal tea tasting.



Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register for multiple programs or register more than one child for the same program receive a special discounted rate at checkout. Financial Aid is available. Please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org for an application.



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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 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.
with Andy Brand and Bridget VerVaet
Tuesdays, May 6 and 13
7 - 8:30 a.m.

Andy Brand and Bridget VerVaet are returning for another year to lead our popular spring bird walks during the peak of spring migration season. This early morning tour takes you through the Gardens and along our back trails before the grounds are disturbed. The walk begins promptly at 7:00 AM and is open to all skill levels. Binoculars are recommended.
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.
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 Garron Dorr
Wednesday, May 14
10 - 11:30 a.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Horticultural Therapist will lead interactive plant-based exercises to help strengthen interpersonal skills, hand-eye coordination, math and science problem-solving, and applied critical thinking. This educational and mindful activity session is designed to be inclusive of all abilities and learning levels and adapted to each participant. Students will participate in a take-home succulent planting activity and then head out on a tour of the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses (weather permitting), where they will use all of their available senses to explore the biodiversity demonstrated inside this accessible garden. Parents/guardians are asked to attend this session with their homeschoolers, and the admission price includes one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
with CMBG Youth Education Staff
Wednesday, May 14
2 - 3 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Students will explore the web of life in our forest ecosystem through the lens of Rachel Carson, author, marine biologist, conservationist, and seasonal Maine resident. Together, we will appreciate the ecology and natural history of the Maine woods. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
with Sandra Bassett and Erika Huber
Wednesday, May 14
10-11:30 a.m. & noon-1:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Deepen your understanding of Wabanaki values and traditions on a special garden walk with Passamaquoddy educator Sandra Bassett. Sandra will share her personal story, demonstrate singing and drumming, and teach us a sampling of Passamaquoddy words. Participants will learn about the significance of the four “R’s”-Reciprocity, Relationship, Respect, and Responsibility- in relation to Wabanaki values and the traditional uses of some of our native plants



Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register for multiple programs or register more than one child for the same program receive a special discounted rate at checkout. Financial Aid is available. Please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org for an application.



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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 Andy Juele
Wednesday, May 14, noon-1:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 22, 10-11:30 a.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Learn how to identify common Maine mosses and lichens found in your own backyard. Students will practice using a hand lens to look up close at these green beauties to learn about their identifying features and get the scoop on the symbiotic relationship happening within lichens. Participants will make a small memento to take home. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
with Caroline Davis
Saturday, May 17
10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Fun for the whole family with our mobile art class. Explore the natural world by creating a garden mobile from recycled and natural objects supplied by the Gardens. These eye-catching mobiles can add whimsy and natural music to any garden as they catch the wind. Students are welcome to bring their own found, repurposed, or natural objects like driftwood, to incorporate into their garden mobiles. Parents/Caregivers/Grandparents are encouraged to work with their child to craft a mobile together. Separate registration is not necessary for adults. Nonmember adults can purchase a reduced admission ticket on the day of the class. Scholarships are available for families with a financial need. To request an application, please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org.
with Catherine Kaczor
Saturday, May 17
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Strengthen your gardening skills with a focus on best planting practices in this in-person workshop and demonstration. We'll demonstrate how and when to sow seed, plant bare-root plants, and how to transplant both young potted seedlings and much larger, more mature specimens. You'll leave feeling informed about effective planting, including seasonal timing, rootbound plants, planting materials, and proper tools. Class level: all.
with Joy Grannis
Monday and Tuesday, May 19, 20
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Combining botany, design, and illustration, students will have the opportunity to create an artful botanical dissection plate during this two-day workshop. Botanical dissection plates have been around since the invention of the microscope and are realistic educational illustrations of plant anatomy. Participants will learn valuable techniques used by science illustrators, such as field sketching, plant dissection, and drawing from magnified plant specimens. Students will also learn how to use color and design to create eye-catching compositions. The workshop will take place both in the gardens and the classroom, where students will learn how to translate their knowledge into creative and visually appealing illustrations. This workshop will take a loose and artful approach to this typically technical and time-consuming process. All levels are welcome. Class appropriate to teens 14+.



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Materials:

Choose your medium!



You can work with watercolor, colored pencils, water-based markers, pen and pencil, Gouache, or a combination. Please choose whichever medium you are most comfortable with or curious about.



Instructor suggestions for each of the mediums can be found at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XoGCr40WwL7bQZap7yoYJbkGd856lNbd/view?usp=sharing



Required materials:

9x12 sketchbook
Camera or camera on a smartphone
Graphite pencils, 3H, 2H, H, F, HB, 1B, 2B, 3B, will give you a good range
Pencil sharpener with receptacle
Eraser (large kneaded or white vinyl)
Magnifying glass, loupe, or macro setting on smartphone/camera


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Artist Biography:

Joy Grannis is a freelance botanical illustrator, artist, and designer from Portland, Maine. Grannis earned her BA in environmental planning and policy from the University of Southern Maine and later earned a graduate certificate in scientific illustration from California State University at Monterey Bay. Grannis combines her expertise to illustrate the natural world in support of education and environmental conservation. Grannis primarily works in watercolor and digital media, creating pieces for botanical gardens, environmental organizations, interior designers, and retail establishments.
with CMBG Youth Education Staff
Thursday, May 22
10 - 11:30 a.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Putting our five senses to work, we'll wind our way through the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses, experiencing the garden in a whole new way. Participants will be encouraged to sample different herbs and edible flowers that may be new to them. The session will end with an herb planting activity to take home.
Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
with CMBG Youth Education Staff
Thursday, May 22
noon - 1:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Venture into the woods with us as we look for signs of life amongst the trees. We may not always see who’s residing in our woods, but there are many clues we can look and listen for to tell us who lives there. Together we will appreciate the ecology and natural history of the Maine woods. A scavenger hunt activity will help guide our search. The session will end with a craft to help us remember what we learned. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
with Garron Dorr
Thursday, May 22
noon - 1:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Horticultural Therapist will lead interactive plant-based exercises to help strengthen interpersonal skills, hand-eye coordination, math and science problem-solving, and applied critical thinking. This educational and mindful activity session is designed to be inclusive of all abilities and learning levels and adapted to each participant. Students will participate in a take-home succulent planting activity and then head out on a tour of the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses (weather permitting), where they will use all of their available senses to explore the biodiversity demonstrated inside this accessible garden. Parents/guardians are asked to attend this session with their homeschoolers, and the admission price includes one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
with Jared Gregory
Thursday, May 22
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Start summer early with this field-study class investigating our northeastern forests and learning more about their fragile ecosystems. Maine consists of a variety of climate conditions that host an assortment of deciduous and coniferous species valuable to thousands of living organisms. We'll discuss individual tree species, their ecological roles, and management practices that support the health of the living matrix.



Students will learn from a Maine State District Forester on how to identify many forest trees, the history of the region's forests, silviculture, pest issues, and our roles as stewards for forest resilience in our changing climate.



Class Level: all.



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Instructor Bio:

Maine District Foresters, of which there are 8 throughout Maine, are state-employed, highly trained foresters who help landowners identify trees and pests and how to make decisions for best land management practices that fulfill the needs for both healthy forest ecosystems and people. Their services as educators, consultants, and land stewards are covered by the state and are a valuable resource for Mainers to feel equipped and well-informed about the options and regulations around sustainable forest management.
with Erika Huber
Thursday, May 22 and Monday, June 2
2 - 3:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

This kid-friendly gardening class will delve into the unique adaptations of our native pollinators and their special flower preferences. After reviewing the process of pollination through a flower dissection, we will head out on a garden walk to discover some of the best flower choices for a diverse pollinator garden. Students will also pot up a pollinator plant to grow on at home. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
with Dan Jaffe-Wilder
Friday, May 23, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 12, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Friday, August 29, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Native plant expert Dan Jaffe-Wilder will present a three-part series that introduces students to various native perennials for garden settings. The course will include two online presentations in May and August and an in-person fieldwork day in July.



May's online class will cover an overview of native perennials that shine in the spring.
In July, we meet at the Gardens to focus on summer native plant performers.
The last session in August will review native perennials that both shine and are especially important to a variety of over-wintering and migrating pollinators.


All three sessions will cover the plants' native habitats and details that inform the gardener where the plants will live successfully in cultivated environments. Discussion will include plant combinations, ecological roles, propagation, aesthetics, and proper plant procurement.



Level: Intermediate to Advanced



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Suggested Reference: Native Plants for New England Gardens, Jaffe-Wilder and Richardson



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Dan Jaffe-Wilder is an ecologist, horticulturist, and botanist with over 15 years of experience working with native plants and their associated ecology. Author of Native Plants for New England Gardens and Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation, Dan’s work has ranged from classrooms to nurseries, botanical gardens to wildlife refuges specializing in native plant ecology, propagation, wildlife habitat construction, and native edible landscapes.
with The Caterpillar Lab
Saturday, May 31
3 - 4 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Meet the real hungry caterpillars as young nature enthusiasts take an exploratory walk with the staff of The Caterpillar Lab, learning how to track and spot spring caterpillars. This walk will help develop observational skills and demonstrate how to look closely so we can uncover the special lives of caterpillars on the plants around us. Program participants can expect to spend time exploring out in the Gardens as well as returning indoors to look at the caterpillars more closely under a microscope. This family-friendly walk is intended for children with an adult chaperone. Registration includes admission to the Gardens. Financial Aid is available. Please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org for an application.
with Chewonki Science Educator
Monday, June 2, 10 - 11 a.m. & noon - 1 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Chewonki’s Traveling Natural History Program is back at the Gardens! Webbed feet, camouflaged fur, or spines on their backs are all amazing ways that animals use adaptations to survive in the wild every day. In this fun-filled hour, students will learn about adaptations, try on fun costumes, and see firsthand how three live, non-releasable animals have adaptations that help them thrive in their specific habitats, including our local marine habitat. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
with CMBG Youth Education Staff
Wednesday, May 14, 2 - 3:30 p.m. and Monday, June 2, noon - 1:30 p.m. & 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Our ponds are teaming with amphibians, reptiles, and aquatic insects. Come and explore the pond with us as we identify the critters living in this freshwater habitat. Students will gain an understanding of the life cycles of the pond residents and learn about their unique adaptations that they depend on for their survival. The session will end with a fun, froggy craft. Be prepared for footwear to get wet while catching frogs. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
with Ted Elliman
Thursday, June 5 & Saturday, June 14
9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Guided by ecologist Ted Elliman, this comprehensive, two-day hybrid course will introduce students to natural plant communities, their defining physical environments, the plants living in them, and the natural processes affecting them. Online discussion and hands-on field work will evaluate the variety of plant communities throughout Maine and how this information influences your gardening choices.



Day one is an online lecture and slideshow, and day two is in the field at the Gardens and at a local land trust property. Learn the differences between communities like salt marshes, red maple swamps, bogs, and floodplain forests, and discover common plants as well as key plant adaptations.



Class Level: Intermediate



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Suggested Reference: Natural Landscapes of Maine: A Guide to Natural Communities and Ecosystems



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Instructor Bio:

Ted Elliman, a botanist and former plant ecologist for the Native Plant Trust, is an acclaimed author of Wildflowers of New England and co-author of Grasses, Sedges, Rushes: An Identification Guide. Elliman describes the plants in clear, concise language. Elliman worked as a contract ecologist for the National Park Service, and he has written numerous articles on botanical subjects for conservation organizations, scientific journals, and state and federal environmental agencies. For years, Ted has taught botany and ecology-focused classes for Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, the Native Plant Trust, and other botanical institutions.
with Gary Fish
Friday, June 6
9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

State Horticulturalist Gary Fish leads this one-day class, which covers extensive ground on the insects, diseases, and deficiencies found on plants in the landscape. Applying principles of integrated pest management (IPM), the course will help students identify, monitor, and prevent poor plant health and, when necessary, deal with treatments. Mr. Fish will emphasize preventative measures and help students determine methods to mitigate further plant pest problems.



Class Level: Intermediate



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Instructor Bio:

Gary Fish is the State Horticulturalist at the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry. He is a past coordinator of the Maine YardScaping Partnership and manager of the Pesticide Control Board. He has a B.S. in forest and wildlife management from the University of Maine, College of Forest Resources, and has been a licensed professional forester since 1985. An aspiring landscape and nature photographer, he attributes his love of plants to his mother and her beautiful rose and rock gardens.
with Barry Dana and Lori Dana
Saturday, June 7
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m,
Bosarge Family Education Center

Before there were vitamin supplements, protein shakes, and Western lifestyles focused on speed and convenience, there was an understanding of how plants and wildlife contribute to human health and nutrition. In this intergenerational class, Barry Dana (Penobscot) and Lori Dana will introduce the species and practices that vary throughout the ecologies of the Dawnland (Maine) and how the "People of the Dawn" have been sourcing food and medicine for centuries, whether through fishing, foraging, or cultivating. You'll learn about heritage flora and fauna under threat and the need for awareness to preserve their existence. After class, you'll be armed with the tools to incorporate native plants into your landscape setting, whether it's a community garden, a forest edge, or a wide-open field. Together, we honor Dawnland's natural resources and highlight nutritional sovereignty across Maine. Class level: all.
with Claire Loon Baldwin
Monday and Tueday, June 9 and 10
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Bosarge Family Education Center

Combining traditional pen and ink with watercolor to create scientific illustrations, we'll explore the beauty and biodiversity of mushrooms in this two-day workshop. Starting with the basics of botanical drawing, we'll develop our observational skills, paying attention to proportion and perspective. Then, we'll learn techniques for mastering dip pens. On day two, we'll add watercolor to our compositions and explore skills such as glazing and charging. By the end of the workshop, you'll have a unique composition of mushrooms and have mastered a new approach to pen and ink and watercolor. All levels welcome. Class appropriate to teens 14+



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Materials:

Supply list: Claire Loon Baldwin - Watercolor and Ink - Materials - Google Docs



Kits can be purchased at The Mix art shop in Brunswick with student-grade and artist-grade..



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Artist Biography:

Claire Loon Baldwin is a watercolor and ink artist who specializes in natural science illustration. She draws inspiration from her experience working as an environmental educator and ranger in Grand Canyon National Park and the redwood forests of California and strives to spark climate action through her art. Her art has been published by Down East Magazine and in 'Live Free, Eat Well', a 2024 cookbook by Adam Glick, published by Penguin Randomhouse/DK Publishing. She has taught unique workshops blending art and ecology for Merrymeeting Community and Adult Education, and the Rhode Island School of Design.
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!
with Brent McHale
Saturday, June 14
9:30 a.m. - noon
Bosarge Family Education Center

Succulents provide the perfect plant for both seasoned and aspiring gardeners. These powerhouse, low-maintenance plants add elegance and unique displays for small or large gardens. Join staff Horticulturist and container garden aficionado Brent McHale to show you what plants to use and how to plant a shallow container garden that you'll take home to display and admire on your patio, deck, or balcony. All materials are provided.



Class level: all.



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Instructor Biography

Brent McHale, staff Horticulturist and Light Designer of Gardens Aglow started gardening at a young age, which turned into completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture Business Management. Brent enjoyed working at a retail greenhouse for a number of years before joining the Gardens in 2019. Enthusiastic and talented in subjects of container gardening, floral arranging, houseplants, and expanding native plant repertoire, Brent leads a number of classes at the Gardens and presents for garden clubs.
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.
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 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 Hélène Farrar
Tuesday - Thursday, June 8 - 10
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.
with Deb Perkins
Friday, July 11, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. & Saturday, July 19, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.


Habitat loss is the primary cause of declining wildlife populations, and learning how vital native plants are to wildlife and how much our landscape choices matter is one of the most critical steps we can take to divert such loss. We'll begin with a short online lecture followed by an interactive workshop and field study at the Gardens. Students will learn how and what to manage in the landscape and how to incorporate certain native plants to create welcoming habitats that attract wildlife, conserve natural resources, and encourage biodiversity.



Class Level: Intermediate to Advanced.



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Suggested reading: Bringing Nature Home, Doug Tallamy



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Instructor Bio:

Deborah Perkins is a wildlife ecologist with 30 years of experience and a lifelong commitment to conservation. As the owner of First Light Wildlife Habitats, Deb co-creates biodiverse habitats with stewards throughout the Northeast. Since 2010, she has provided recommendations, plans, and designs for over 7,000 acres of habitat. Before that, she was a roving biologist – conducting fieldwork and wildlife research throughout North America in a wide range of habitats, from the high deserts of New Mexico to the remote tundra of the Canadian Arctic.
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 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 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. Scholarships are available for families with a financial need. To request an application, please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org.
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
Wednesday, July 30
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 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: ex 1 )
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 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.
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 you can choose any type you like, 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 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



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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.



//

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 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


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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



//



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 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 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

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