Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden

Workshops

Beginning Bookbinding

In this workshop you will construct, sew, and cover a 64-page, multisectioned case-bound book. Fine acid-free paper and supplies will be provided; participants may bring two to four landscape-format printed pages (8.5 x 11 inch) they wish to include as centerfolds for the sections. Various bookcloths will be available to further personalize the volume, which will be a sampler and springboard to showcase skills we book artists continue to explore. The instructor will bring examples of simple folios and fancy stitched pamphlets on handmade papers to consider. Lunch is on your own. A supply list will be sent.

Kathy Judge, Library Technical Assistant, Lenhardt Library, Chicago Botanic Garden
Wed., Jan. 14, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Design Studio
BOA0031 $79/$99

Jewelry Workshop

Inspired by the beauty of nature, you'll have fun creating spectacular jewelry from shells, freshwater pearls, and floral designs in broken china. Professional jewelry designer Bonnie Arkin will inspire and guide you in designing your own one-of-a-kind pieces. Simple techniques of bead stringing, soldering, hole drilling, copper foiling, and jewelry cleaning will be taught. A supply list will be sent.

Bonnie Arkin, Artist/Designer
4 Mon., Jan. 19 – Feb. 9, 7 – 9 p.m.
Annex 1
BOA0061 $79/$99

Mosaic Workshop

Discover the joy and beauty of mosaic art in the pique assiette tradition. Pique assiette, or "broken plates," incorporates a wonderful blending of color, form and texture. Work under the guidance of Bonnie Arkin to complete a unique mosaic from shards of china, ceramic, or glass. A supply list is given at the first class, but you can start collecting dishes now! An advanced class is scheduled to begin April 23.

Bonnie Arkin, Artist/Designer
4 Tues., Feb. 10 – Mar. 3, 7 – 9 p.m.
Annex 1
BOA0111 $79/$99

4 Tues., Apr. 21 – May 12, 7 – 9 p.m.
Annex 1
BOA0121 $79/$99

Garden Art Mosaic Workshop

Brighten your porch, patio, deck, yard, or garden with an eye-catching mosaic conversation piece. This fun mosaic class is blooming with creativity, inspiring you to create colorful art for your garden. Mosaic the numbers for your address, a one-of-a-kind mailbox, a stepping stone, a funky folk-art masterpiece for the garden — even a bowling ball!

Bonnie Arkin, Artist/Designer
4 Thurs., Mar. 12 – Apr. 2, 7 – 9 p.m.
Annex 1
BOA0181 $79/$99

Living Pansy Wreath Workshop

Welcome the arrival of spring with a pansy wreath to brighten your front door! In this class you will create a lush, colorful living wreath by planting a moss-lined wire frame with pansies and ivy. Karen Thomson will discuss the proper care of your new wreath, how to maintain it over the winter, and how to recondition old topiaries. Please bring an apron, rubber gloves, and scissors. All other materials are provided and included in the fee.

Karen Thomson, Topiary Designer, Thomson Topiaries
Wed., Apr. 1, 9:30 a.m. – noon
Annex 1
GAR0191 $59/$74

Spring Hanging Basket: Pansies and Sweet Peas

In this popular workshop, make a moss-lined hanging wire basket full of pansies and dwarf sweet peas to brighten your porch or patio early in the season. Both of these spring beauties thrive in the season's cool weather and provide an early splash of color in your garden. Please bring gloves and a shallow box or lid in which to take your baskets home.

Nancy Clifton, Program Specialist, Chicago Botanic Garden
Tues., Apr. 7, 10 a.m. – noon
Annex 1
GAR0221 $49/$62

Flower Towers

Join Tim Pollak for the inside scoop on how the Chicago Botanic Garden creates the incredible flowering columns or "towers" displayed in the Heritage Garden during autumn. Then, create your own miniature flower tower full of pansies, daisies, and other cool-season flowers. You will also learn how to choose the right plants, grow them at home, and place the towers in your garden for optimum display. Friends and neighbors alike will be dazzled by this unusual and stunning way to grow flowers. Please bring an apron and a pair of gloves.

Tim Pollak, Outdoor Floriculturist, Chicago Botanic Garden
Sun., Apr. 14, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Production Head House
GAR0231 $69/$87

Mosaics: Beyond the Basics

Join Bonnie Arkin for the next level in mosaics! This class is for those students ready for more challenging projects and will focus on more intricate designs and techniques. A supply list is given at the first class. Prerequisite: Mosaic Workshop.

Bonnie Arkin, Artist/Designer
4 Thurs., Apr. 23 – May 14, 7 – 9 p.m.
Annex 1
BOA0221 $79/$99

Fifteen-Minute Flower-Arranging Ideas

Fresh flower arranging doesn't have to be complicated to be beautiful. The old saying "Keep it simple" applies to this workshop for fast yet fabulous designs. Nancy Clifton will demonstrate simple designs for everyday arrangements that range from casual to elegant. You will then create an easy arrangement of 15 roses in a mint julep cup. Please bring a floral shear or hand pruners to class and a small, tall-sided box to carry your arrangement home. All other materials are included in the fee.

Nancy Clifton, Program Specialist, Chicago Botanic Garden
Tues., Apr. 28, 10 a.m. – noon
Burnstein Hall
BOA0271 $59/$74

Topiaries for Your Garden

Whether you tuck them away in your garden, decorate your countertop, or adorn your shelves with them, topiaries will add a touch of whimsy or elegance to your home and garden. Under the guidance of Karen Thomson, you will create your own live topiary. Choose from a variety of frames, including geometric shapes, rabbits, turtles, cats, and dogs. Bring scissors, rubber gloves, and an apron.

Karen Thomson, Topiary Designer, Thomson Topiaries
Wed., Apr. 29, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Annex 1
GAR0311 $59/$74

Garden Sculpture Workshop: The Rhythms of Stone

Award-winning sculptor DJ Garrity leads a fascinating exploration of three-dimensional form and the creative energies awakened through the ageless process of stone sculpture.

DJ Garrity, Sculptor
Tues. – Fri., May 5 – 8, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Outdoor Classroom (Children's Garden)
SPP0012 $599/$720

Living Flower Arrangements with Summer Bulbs

Join internationally recognized bulb expert Brent Heath for this hands-on workshop featuring often misunderstood and underused summer bulbs. A brief slide presentation will be followed by a discussion of many different varieties of bulbs and how they are best suited for midwestern gardens. Brent will then demonstrate how to use the layering method of potting a container to maximize the blooming season and how to maintain your container to keep it looking its best. You will then create your own bulb garden to take home. Please bring gloves. Fee includes all materials.

Brent Heath, Owner, Brent and Becky's Bulbs
Sat., May 9, 9 – 11 a.m.
Annex 1
GAR0201 $79/$99

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

To check whether your class choice has been filled or canceled, please phone the registration service at (847) 835-8261 and press 2 after the greeting, or check the class schedule online.

Preregistration is required. You may register online, by phone, by fax or by mail. Payment at the time of registration is mandatory with check or credit card. Checks should be payable to the Chicago Botanic Garden. No purchase orders will be accepted.

Click here to register online.

Fax registration form with payment by credit card to the Education Registrar at (847) 835-6874. Phone the registration service at (847) 835-8261 and press 1 after the greeting. Payment with credit card is required.