Mixed Media Classes & Workshops
Create art inspired by nature using a variety of natural materials and products.
|

|
Create & Take Art Experience
125-12-14-19 Saturday, December 14, 2019 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Level No experience required Supplies All supplies included to complete 2 projects You-Choose-Two Join our most popular Arboretum instructors for a day of create-and-take art, perfect for treating yourself or giving as gifts! Custom-select your perfect day with your choice of 2 projects listed below. Each project lasts 2 hours; 30 minutes for lunch.
Bengala Dyed Scarf Chiaki O'Brien, awarded the Jerome fiber artist grant in 2013 to study the Bengala process in Japan. She is the only person in Minnesota teaching this technique. Bengala is a natural Japanese dye made from soil, ‘environmentally safe' and fun to use! All materials are included as well as a dozen of dye colors and tools to play with.
- Learn about the history and cultural significance bengala
- Pre-fix the material by kneading
- Create the scarf's patterns by knotting, folding and tie-dyeing
- Open the dyed bundle to see your finished scarf
The final reveal of your completed scarf is the most fun--you'll feel like you are opening an unexpected present! NOTE: this dye has natural rubber latex in it, so this is not a good class for people who have latex allergy.
Felted Ball Bracelet Jean Manrique, instructor with a passion for transforming natural materials into clothing & jewelry Make a fun, colorful and unique bracelet out of wool fibers for yourself or as a gift! Receive detailed instructions and guidance while allowing lots of room for creativity!
- Learn & practice wet-felting
- Use your skills to create a beautiful set of felted balls
- String the balls together with elastic string to make a bracelet
Once you learn this technique, you'll be able to use your skills to make necklaces, earrings, cat toys, stress balls, dryer balls and more. This will be your "go to" accent piece all winter long.
Nature Notecards Ann Solyst, professional artist and illustrator Have you ever just wanted to relax and let your artistic impulses emerge? This is the session for you. Learn the basics of watercolor, acrylic and colored pencil in this fun, relaxed card making workshop.
- Receive instruction on mixing colors, composition and design
- Explore properties of each medium: watercolor, acrylic paint and colored pencil
- Create several designs with inspiration and guidance from instructor
- Complete your own assortment of notecards & matching envelopes and/or gift tags
There will be a 30 minute lunch break. Bring a lunch from home, plan to purchase in the Arboretum Cafe, or pre-order an Optional Box Lunch (add $14) Optional Box Lunch (add $14) Served with potato chips, Craveworthy Cookies® and beverage, you will have your choice of sandwiches (select your preference at registration) Thai Beef Wrap; Mozzarella, Red Pepper, Balsamic & kale ciabatta; Turkey, feta, spinach & sundried tomato ciabatta
Limit 60, Check-in at Snyder Building- Fireplace Room (2nd floor)
$69 member/$89 non-member, includes Arboretum admission

|
|
 |
Kiln Glass Discovery: Floral Dish
Select a session Saturday, February 15 MORNING 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (125-02-15-20-01) Saturday, February 15 AFTERNOON 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m (125-02-15-20-02) Jon Rees, artist/educator: Foci - Minnesota Center for Glass Art
Level All levels Supplies All supplies included Get introduced to kiln-fired fused and slumped glass! Create a glass tile that will be transformed into a lovely floral dish to be displayed in your home or given as a gift.
- Learn properties of glass and kiln-firing
- Understand how glass changes form and reacts to changing temperatures
- Learn the basics of cutting and assembling sheet glass
- Create and assemble your own floral design on a 5"x 5" glass tile
Your design will be fused together off-site in a kiln, and will be available to be picked up 2 weeks after class at the Arboretum. You may choose to have your dish fired a second time in order to achieve a bend or "slump" in the glass (no extra cost).
Limit 10, Marion Andrus Learning Center - Inside a Plant Lab

|
Sold out. Add your name to the waitlist, we will contact you if a spot opens! Saturday, February 15 MORNING 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. $69 member/$89 non-member
|
includes Arboretum admission
|

|
Saturday, February 15 AFTERNOON 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m $69 member/$89 non-member
|
includes Arboretum admission |
|
|
|
The Power of Balance: Stone Sculptures for your Garden
125-02-15-20 Saturday, February 15, 2020 9:30 a.m.-noon Peter Juhl, stone balancing artist, www.temporarysculpture.com
Level No experience necessary Supplies Use an assortment of the instructor's practice rocks during class Dazzle your friends with a new skill that looks like magic and combines elements of meditation, sculpture, and performance art.
- Create impossible looking balances using ordinary stones!
- Learn and practice simple techniques using shape, weight and friction
- Gain insights on photographing your creations including design and composition
- Receive helpful tips on more advanced balancing
You'll leave grounded, refreshed, and able to repeat your balancing act in your own garden or anywhere with stones. NOTE This workshop is designed for adults; because a general understanding of gravity and physics is discussed, suggested minimum age for this class is 12. Limit 24, Learning Center - Tree Place

|
$42 member/$57 non-member |
includes Arboretum admission |
|
|
|
 |
Nature Sketchbooks: Finding Sanctuary in Winter
125-02-20-20 Thursdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m., February 20 & 27, 2020 Pam Luer, professional artist specializing in nature based motifs. A licensed product designer for the gift and home decor industry
Level All levels welcome Supplies Bring-Your-Own OR Supply Kit Included; see pricing options
This workshop will introduce you to a sketchbook practice - Learn how to draw from life with careful observation. Collect impressions that help capture your subjects for later exploration or contemplation. Begin to work in a sketchbook as an artistic practice Become inspired from new tips and techniques using very few tools Learn about orchids from Ricky Garza, our Arboretum orchid specialist Enjoy rare books and illustrations shared by Horticulture Librarian Kathy Allen Enjoy the lush tranquility of the Meyers -Deats conservatory and the spectacular blooms from this year's flower show as you learn to observe and draw in new ways while expanding your understanding of the natural world. Bring from Home Bag lunch, beverages and/or snacks (Visitor Center Cafe will also be open for purchases)
Limit 12, Oswald Visitor Center - MacMillan Auditorium A/C
view video of a similar Pam Luer workshop in 2017
Pam Luer's Minnesota Landscape Aboretum Class Feb 15 & 22, 2017 from Gary B on Vimeo.
 |
Select a price option: Bring-Your-Own Supplies See supply list $79 member/$99 non-member, includes Arboretum admission
All Supplies Included in a Take-Home Kit (value $60) supply kit will be waiting for you in class Registration Deadline for this option is Saturday, February 1 $139 member/$159 non-member |
|
|
|
|
Gerbera Daisy Tile in Cast Glass: Pâte de Verre
125-02-29-20 Saturday, February 29, 2020 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Donna Rice, Fine art glass sculptor who has created glass for Tiffany, featured artist of the 2020 Arboretum Flower Show
Level No experience required Supplies All supplies included Pâte de Verre (French, meaning "glass paste") is an ancient form of kiln casting that involves the careful placement of colorful, crushed glass into refractory plaster molds. Explore this process as you create your own 4" x 4" x .25" cast glass Gerbera Daisy tile that can be displayed in a small stand or framed.
- Pre-select one of 4 cheerful colors when you register: Red, Orange, Yellow or Pink
- Learn the process and history pâte de verre
- Observe and practice the wax and plaster modeling process
- Cast your own one-use plaster mold from a silicone Gerbera Daisy
- Fill your unique mold with powdered glass and prepare your tile for kiln firing
Tiles will be kiln-fired and finished off-site and returned to the Arb for pick-up within 2-3 weeks. Bring from Home Bag lunch, beverages and/or snacks (Visitor Center Cafe will also be open for purchases)
Limit 14, Oswald Visitor Center - Azalea Classroom

|
$99 member/$129 non-member |
includes Arboretum admission and supplies |
|
|

|
Contemporary Japanese Weaving - SAORI
Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (125-03-14-20) Chiaki O'Brien, SAORI Certified Instructor; former instructor at SAORI head office in Japan
Level No experience necessary Supplies All supplies will be provided to make and bring home a completed weaving Create a delightful hand-made gift for yourself or a loved one as you enjoy a relaxing weaving experience. SAORI weaving is a gentle, mindful and meditative process which emphasizes improvisation and creative expression. This contemporary weaving method founded in Japan in 1968, literally means "weaving with individual dignity." It is a meditative art form where the weaver finds themselves completely absorbed and fully immersed into the weaving in front of them.
- Use a simple foot powered loom, perfect for beginners!
- Break free of rules and regulations employed in traditional weaving
- There are no mistakes in this style of weaving
- As you create, opportunities, discoveries, and techniques are shared with the group
- Complete your own unique textile, perhaps a scarf, table runner or wall hanging
Bring from home Feel free to bring any personal items you may wish to be woven into the work, such as handspun yarn, strips of fabric, feathers, or sticks.
Limit 10, Marion Andrus Learning Center - Tree Place

|
|
Sold out. Add your name to the waitlist, we will contact you if a spot opens! Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $89 member/$119 non-member |
includes Arboretum admission and all supplies |
|
|
Give the Gift of an Arboretum Educational Experience

Join the experience-giving trend this holiday season...your thoughtfulness will not only benefit the recipient, but will benefit the Arboretum, too! Learn more
|
Classes Catalog
View online
Request a catalog in the mail
Email Subscriptions
- Subscribe here to opt-in to your choice of Arboretum Education email alerts. You'll only receive emails on the topics you select, so you can keep your inbox interesting and relevant to you! (Every email contains easy instructions for opting out at any time.)
Questions?
Arboretum Education Office Hours Mon - Fri, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sat - Sun, noon - 4 p.m. Email Arboretum Education at arbedu@umn.edu Call Arboretum Education at 612-301-1210
Member Perk!
Arboretum Members may invite non-members to attend a class with them at the discounted member rate! Simply register for all participants at the same time in the same order and select the "member" rate for each person at checkout.
Cancellation Policy
Prior to registering, please review the cancellation policy
Waitlist
The best chance of being enrolled in a sold out class is to add your name to the waitlist. Click the orange "waitlist" button and complete the steps, or call 612-301-1210. There is no obligation to register if a spot opens. If the waitlist shows enough demand, additional class sessions may be added.
Program Quick Links
FREE & LOW COST PlantMaker Studio StoryTime Q&A at the Yard & Garden Desk
YOUTH & FAMILIES Youth+Adult Together Programs Ages 3-5 with adult Ages 5-12 with adult Homeschool Days
ADULTS Gardening & Horticulture Classes Gardening - General Houseplants Edible Gardening Landscape & Design Floral & Botanical Crafts Schoolyard Gardens Conference Pollinators Pollinators - Misc Fine Art & Crafts Classes Painting & Drawing Mixed Media Floral & Botanical Crafts Jewelry & Wearable Art Fiber Arts Stone Balancing & Sculpture Open Art Studio Photography Classes Photography Special Access Experiences Food & Wine Classes Dine with a Chef Cooking Classes Wine Edible Gardening Garden-to-Plate Workshop Day Books Book Club Nature Appreciation Birds Trees Signature Guided Walks Shinrin-yoku Nature-Based Therapeutics Shinrin-yoku
Bios Instructors Arboretum Staff Education Department Statistics
Share your feedback
Your opinions are important! The Arboretum strives to create classes that are relevant, useful and provide value. Use this form to share anonymous feedback about educational programming with the Arboretum Education Team.
|