Chicago Botanic Garden

for immediate release

Nurture Your Creativity at the Garden

School of the Chicago Botanic Garden Offers
Botanical Arts Certificate

 

Media Only:
Julie McCaffrey
(847) 835-8213
jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (Nov. 6, 2008)—The Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden offers a certificate of merit program in botanical arts for those who want to nurture their creativity, improve their artistic skills and experience plants, nature, and our shared environment in new ways.

This program provides a unique opportunity for artists of all levels to focus on the wonders of nature, learn from accomplished artists and teachers, and to utilize the Garden as a studio. Courses in drawing, painting, and color theory will help candidate’s develop their technical skills and gain a further understanding of art and the creative process. This studio art program allows artists to discover their hidden talents and explore a more personal relationship with plants and the environment.

“Many students who complete the program use their course work as part of their portfolio to exhibit in galleries or to take Master level art courses,” said Amelia Simmons-Hurt, manager of certificate programs, School of the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Require courses offered this spring include:

· “Botanical Drawing 2” – Six Saturdays, January 17 through February 21, 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $287. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $229. Class is in the Design Studio.

· “Botanical Drawing 1” – Eight Tuesdays, March 17 through May 19 (no session April 14 & May 5), 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost is $349. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $279. Class is in the Design Studio.

· “Outdoor Sketching” – Six Fridays, April 24 through May 29, 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $249. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $199. Class is in the Design Studio.

· “Watercolor 1” – Six Wednesdays, May 6 through June 10, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost is $287. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $229. Class is in the Design Studio.

The program consists of 10 core courses, a choice of 60 instructional hours of elective courses, and a portfolio review. Students may select any combination of elective courses, tailoring the program to their personal learning objectives and interest. To earn a certificate, a grade of “S” (sufficient), at least one portfolio-quality finished piece is required to pass each course.

For more information about certificate programs, visit the Chicago Botanic Garden’s website at www.chicagobotanic.org/certificate. Or, contact Amelia Simmons-Hurt at (847) 835-8293 or at school@chicagobotanic.org.

Parking is free for program registrants. For information on professional development opportunities, request a School catalog by calling (847) 835-8261, or visit the Chicago Botanic Garden website at www.chicagobotanic.org/school.

###

Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $15; free for members. On Tuesdays, senior citizens age 62 and older pay just $7 for parking. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. The Garden is also breaking new ground in urban horticulture and jobs training through a 15-acre project in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago called Windy City Harvest. The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.