Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden

Half-day Symposia

We know you're busy, so we designed a program that will only take one afternoon, but will give you ideas that will last a lifetime. Both green-industry professionals and homeowners can benefit from these programs as they introduce us to new and innovative concepts that can be applied to current projects, relayed to a client, or used to get one step closer to your dream home and landscape.

SIGN UP FOR BOTH HALF-DAY SYMPOSIA AND SAVE 10%! ($106 member/$133 nonmember)

The Art and Business of Garden Design

Tuesday, October 7, 2008
1 – 4 p.m.

Please register early, as we anticipate this program will be very popular. Check-in begins at 12:30 p.m. in the Fairchild Room of the Regenstein Center and the symposium begins at 1 p.m. in the Alsdorf Auditorium of the Regenstein Center.

World-renowned garden designer Jon Carloftis will take you down his design career's path, starting at his old- fashioned Kentucky home and ending with New York city's rooftops and balconies, where he designs for the stars. Avid gardeners, interior designers, and landscape designers alike will find inspiration from this fun and educational afternoon. Among many awards and accomplishments he has achieved in his career, two of Jon's gardens were featured in HGTV's Secret Gardens of New York. He has appeared on ABC's Good Morning America and twice on the Martha Stewart Living show, and his porch design was recently featured in Oprah's O At Home magazine. Jon's unique talent for enhancing the elegance of nature offers just the right approach to anyone who needs a little help or inspiration figuring out how to make the entire puzzle pieces fit together when designing their world.

PHOTO: Jon Carloftis Join Jon, whose light and humorous approach to education will keep you on your toes and wanting more. He'll retell the story behind several design projects he has created, showing you the before and after, and all the in-between as he walks you through the entire process of creating a garden, from the first visit to strategizing, finding all the right players (sub-contractors), installation and maintenance. He'll even share his secrets of using a person's interior design to get a good flow for what will work outside. Jon will give you an insider's approach on how he comes up with ideas to write his approximately 12 magazine articles each year, and the background story on how he writes and produces books.

There will be ample opportunity for questions and answers, as well as a scheduled book signing during our refreshment break. If you are stuck in a design rut or not sure where to start, or just interested in having a fun and educational afternoon, this is the symposium for you.

Read more about Jon Carloftis

Alsdorf Auditorium
SYM5013 ($59/$74)

Register Online
The registration deadline is September 30.

Stone by Design: The Artistry of Lew French

Saturday, October 18, 2008
1 – 4 p.m.

We invite you to join us for a very special afternoon with internationally acclaimed stone master Lew French. Come hear the behind-the-scenes stories about his amazing work as you enjoy stunning images of his projects shot by photographer Allison Shaw. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers, and we're also holding a book signing during our refreshment break. This relaxed-pace symposium is ideal for anyone in the interior design industry, landscape designers, stone workers, and all people who love art or nature.

With its discussion of contemporary hearths of rustic slate, sculptured walls of great granite slabs, and stacked and rounded fieldstones, this symposium will inspire design lovers to incorporate stonework in home interiors and exteriors, whether as an artful water feature, a playful fireplace, or a carefully crafted garden pathway. Along the way, Lew provides charming narration for each project: how an idea came to be; how a stone-splitting technique is executed; even how one of his most difficult pieces, a three-year-long project, was saved from ruin the day it was completed.

PHOTO: "Stone by Design" by Lew French. The symposium content will complement his book, Stone By Design, which was a #4 bestseller on Amazon.com. More than just a stunning tribute to the work of Lew French and his unique vision and craft, the book celebrates both the function and form of stone. It's the perfect inspiration for anyone interested in adding the character, versatility, and beauty of stone to their home or landscape.

Registration Information

Preregistration is required. You may register online, by phone, by fax, or by mail.

Click here to register online.

Phone the registration service at (847) 835-8261 and press 1 after the greeting.