Rocky Mountain Gardening Elective

This course is designed for the Front Range gardener beginner. The basics of what is needed to adjust gardening skills from other climates to the Front Range’s finicky climate are covered. If you have never gardened here before or are looking for more success, this is the class for you! Learn the skills necessary to become an enthusiastic gardener. Annuals, perennials and vegetables are discussed, along with trees and shrubs that thrive in our climate, elevation and varying soils. Plant selection, planting and troubleshooting is discussed.

Subsequent weeks focus on the elements, water needs, fertilizers and organic gardening.

Instructor: Patti O'Neal

Price: $90, $80 members

Special Instruction: Please bring a glass jar of soil to class. (Must be see through glass jar to study layers of your own backyard native soil)

The prairie was designed for growing grasses, such as wheat. It is only natural that a craft grew from that popular crop: wheat weaving. Learn why grasses-especially wheat-are good for weaving, discover some of the many varieties of wheat and make some small items using basic wheat-weaving patterns. Bring a sack lunch. Appropriate for adults and children ages 12 and up.

Price:  Member $15, Non-member $17

Location: Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Avenue, Aurora, CO 80013

Rocky Mountain Gardening Elective

Berries are easy fruits to grow and make luscious-eating whether fresh, frozen or preserved. New developments are increasing the types we can grow here. Come find out the types of berries that do well in our climate and soil, what varieties are recommended, where to purchase and how to manage and prune for best results. Grapes for our area are also discussed.

Instructor: Carl Wilson, Denver horticulturist, speaker and retired CSU Extension Agent

Price: $33, $28 members

Beyond Ordinary

Beauty is in the details, and sometimes in the unexpected! Investigate the less glamorous side of botany: the dead parts, buried parts, dull parts, backs and bottoms. Practice composition, scale and view to find and portray beautiful botanical elements in a finished watercolor painting. Use all your watercolor skills and learn a few new techniques to enhance your work. The results will excite and surprise, and you’ll grow with your new point of view.

Prerequisite: Botanical Illustration in Watercolor I.

Fee: $265 member, $315 non-member.

Date(s):

Tue, Jan. 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, 6-9 p.m.

Instructor: Laurence Pierson

Cultivate presence through breath-linking movements in this vinyasa yoga class cued in both English and Spanish. Cues will be the same in both languages, and those familiar with yoga will find a common language through the traditional Sanskrit names of the poses. This flowing, dynamic class is beneficial for all practitioners, and teaches important foundations while leaving space for more advanced practitioners to play.

Cultive el hecho de estar presente a través de movimientos enlazados con la respiración en esta clase de vinyasa yoga, instruido en inglés y español ambos. Las instrucciones serán las mismas en ambos idiomas, y para aquellos estudiantes familiarizados con la practica de yoga reconocerán los nombres de las poses en sánscrito. Esta clase fluida y dinámica es beneficiosa para estudiantes de todos niveles, enseña y reafirma fundaciones elementales mientras que al mismo tiempo provee espacio para estudiantes mas avanzados a explorar y divertirse en su tapete!

Price: $10 general public

Instructor: Noemi is a renaissance woman! She created an innovative bilingual yoga class format, based on the language centers of the brain. It’s mission is to serve as a cultural bridge by bringing diversity and inclusivity to yoga rooms around the world! Noemi has worn some fun hats in this lifetime, among those: legal advocate, former competitive gymnast, environmental activist, professional dance performer, beer judge, and her favorite hat as of late: Multilingual Yoga Instructor! Her signature Bilingual Yoga program has been featured by NBC Universal as an impactful grassroots outreach community offering by introducing this wellness practice to underserved demographics. Several editorial articles call Noemi an “Influencer and Inclusionary”, and her work is showcased at art exhibits by world-class museums, cultural and academic institutions.

Noemi’s classes utilize her varied skillset and worldly academic training to deliver an alignment based practice with creative sequencing and fun transitions, while intelligently deconstructing postures safely aided by props, along with soul-quenching philosophy and yogic mythology, sprinkled with breath facilitation and meditation. Her teachings foster a challenge to cultivate respect and empathy both inwardly and outwardly through educational tools. Join her in rising the vibration of your world!

Join us at Chatfield Farms to explore Colorado birds. We will be looking at various bird habitats, exploring citizen science applications, and helping you bring birding as a tool back to your classroom.

Appropriate for K-12 teachers.

Fee: $55 Member/ $65 Non-Member

0.5 semester hours of graduate level relicensure credit from the Colorado School of Mines is available on the day of the class for an additional $40.

Date(s): Saturday, 1/25/2020, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Bold and Beautiful: Illustrating the Flora in the Conservatory on Mylar

When it’s cold outside, winter blooms in the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory! Expand your options in colored pencil. Mylar film provides a perfect surface for smooth, brilliant colored pencil work. Learn the skills specific to this surface, including pencil application and layering techniques, how to make the back of the surface enhance the front, and how to erase colored pencil from Mylar for quick corrections and special effects. See how layering your drawing over other surfaces expands the possibilities for your finished work. Beautiful winter blooms provide the inspiration for lush plant portraits and fresh techniques.

Prerequisite: Botanical Illustration in Colored Pencil II.

Fee: $310 member, $360 non-member.

Date(s):

Mon, Feb. 17, 24, March 2, 9, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Instructor: Susan DiMarchi

Botanical Illustration in Colored Pencil I

You’ve learned to layer colored pencil; now learn techniques to draw effectively in this medium. Apply your drawing skills and learn new methods specific to colored pencils. Techniques include layering, building and burnishing in color. This versatile, portable medium is perfect for sketching on location as well as producing studio pieces. Learn through instruction, demonstration and practice on small studies of botanical subjects. You’ll be ready to produce a finished plate in Botanical Illustration in Colored Pencil II.

Prerequisites: Light on Form, Color Layering for Colored Pencil.

Fee: $265 member, $315 non-member.

Date(s):

Thu, Feb. 20, 27, March 5, 12, 19, 9 a.m. – noon

Instructor: Susan DiMarchi

Wed, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 1-4 p.m. (106)

Instructor: Susan DiMarchi

Botanical Illustration in Pen and Ink I

Pen and ink is at the heart of botanical illustration. Expand your drawing repertoire as you learn techniques to create line, form and texture in black and white. “Expressive line” and “stipple” become part of your artistic vocabulary as you practice this traditional medium with modern and versatile technical pens. Step-by-step instruction, demonstration and practice will give you the foundation you need to draw any botanical subject accurately and skillfully.

Prerequisite: Light on Form.

Fee: $265 member, $315 non-member.

Date(s):

Thu, Jan. 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, 9 a.m. – noon

Instructor: Renee Jorgensen

Mon, March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 1-4 p.m.

Instructor: Marjorie Leggitt

Botanical Illustration in Pencil I

Learn to draw! Begin with an overview of the specific elements of botanical illustration. Learn the skills of careful observation and realistic drawing in graphite pencil, including line drawing, shading and perspective. Step-by-step added techniques help you render accurate perspective, texture and detail. This is the entry course for every program student and a prerequisite for all required courses to follow. You’ll emerge from this class with the tools you need to draw anything.

No prerequisites.

Fee: $285 member, $335 non-member.

Date(s):

Tue, Jan. 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, 1-4 p.m.

Instructor: Laurence Pierson

Fri-Sun, Feb. 14-16, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Instructor: Charlotte Ricker

Thu, March 26, April 2, 9, 23, 30, 9 a.m. – noon

Instructor: Renee Jorgensen

Fri-Sun, May 8-10, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Instructor: Charlotte Ricker

Wed, May 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24, 6-9 p.m.

Instructor: Laurence Pierson

Botanical Illustration in Pencil II

Simple and classic, pencil drawing is a timeless art form. Expand on the drawing skills you learned in Botanical Illustration in Pencil I as you reinforce and refine your knowledge of graphite pencil. Learn additional techniques for shading, texture, perspective, depth and composition. A good drawing is the basis of botanical illustration in any medium. Group instruction and individual attention are tailored to help you complete a botanical plate in this subtle and striking medium.

Prerequisites: Light on Form, Botany for the Botanical Illustrator, Composition for Botanical Illustration, Perfecting Perspective.

Fee: $265 member, $315 non-member.

Date(s):

Wed, Feb. 19, 26, March 4, 11, 18, 1-4 p.m.

Instructor: Randy Raak

Botanical Illustration in Watercolor Pencil I

This class will explore the versatility of watercolor pencils. We’ll begin with color studies to explore the qualities of watercolor pencils as they translate from pencil into liquid color. You will experiment with graphite, ink and colored pencil as complementary media. You’ll use these new skills to create a finished botanical plate in this fresh and fluid medium.

Prerequisites: Light on Form, Color Mixing, Color Layering for Colored Pencil.

Fee: $265 member, $310 non-member.

Date(s):

Thu, Jan. 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, 1-4 p.m.

Instructor: Renee Jorgensen

Rocky Mountain Gardening Required Course Group I

This class provides an overview of basic plant biology, including structure, development, transpiration, photosynthesis and plant chemistry.

Students will gain essential knowledge for acquiring high-level pruning skills, for designing gardens based on specific plant requirements of the Rocky Mountain region, and for understanding interactions between plants and their microenvironments.

Required Text- Botany for Gardeners by Brian Capon, found online or in most book stores.

Price: $255, $213 members

Instructor: Sheridan Samano

Botany for the Botanical Illustrator

What is the difference between a carpel and a pistil? Where can I find the stamen? The science of the subjects you draw determines what you see! Put away your pencils for this enlightening lab class designed specifically for students of botanical illustration. Take a close look at plant anatomy and learn to recognize botanical details that will make your drawings more accurate and realistic. Learn plant morphology through detailed instruction and supporting visuals. Your botanical art will improve when you understand the subjects.

No prerequisites.

Fee: $315 member, $370 non-member (18 hours).

Date(s):

Wed, Feb. 19, 26, March 4, 11, 18, 25, 9 a.m. – noon

Instructor: Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski

Fri-Sun, March 6-8, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Instructor: Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski

Thu, May 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 9, 6-9 p.m.

Instructor: Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski

Learn how to create a simple vegetable or habitat garden in your schoolyard, either in the ground or in containers. Get tips on gardening, plants suitable for the school year season and ideas on how to incorporate a schoolyard garden curriculum into your classroom curriculum. Appropriate for K-12 teachers.

$55, Member; $65, Nonmember

0.5 semester hours of graduate level relicensure credit from the Colorado School of Mines is available on the day of the class for an additional $40.

Café Botanique is a part of the Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate Program and is open to Botanical Art and Illustration students, Gardens' members, the general public, academia and artists. The 30-40 minute talk starts at 6:30 p.m. and is followed by a discussion. This lecture offers one elective credit hour in the BI-program. Fee: $5.

Those lucky enough to have hiked Cherokee Ranch know that there are a wealth of habitats and a rich flora that distract your eyes downwards, even as the vistas of the rugged backbone of the Rockies and distant misty towers of downtown Denver tempt you to look further away.

Whoever says winter is the “dormant” season? Wise naturalists know that nature does not sleep, you can now SEE those birds flitting in the bare branches. Buds are set on everything, and there is much more than just bark, branches and berries to liven a walk. You can see two species of Chickadees and Nuthatches that never stop in their search for food and there are a few last lingering hints of flowers. You will be surprised at how many evergreens there really are; not just pines and junipers and Oregon Grape, but many of our native shrubs and forbs keep living foliage and rosettes through the winter: they are still hard at work chlorophyll pumping! You might also be surprised to know that some Dark-eyed Juncos fly all the way from the Pacific Northwest and even Canada to winter at Cherokee. Other winter species include Flicker, Woodpeckers and a resident Red-tailed Hawk. What better time and place than Cherokee Ranch in the bright, winter light.

Price: $20 member, $25 non-member

* Plants don’t really care how you dress for the field trips but BIRDS DO!! It is easier to see birds if you DO NOT wear white or other very bright colors –i.e. yellow, orange or red. Also, bring your binoculars: they can be used for both birds and plants

* Please wear comfortable shoes and bring your own supply of water for a 2 hour adventure

*Directions and details for your hike will be emailed to your email address approximately one week before your hike

Color Layering for Colored Pencil

Colored pencil presents a special challenge: mixing color directly on your drawing! Learn to use a simple color-mixing method adapted to the application of colored pencils. Two-, three- and four-color mixing will get you to the gorgeous greens, radiant reds and luscious lilacs you’ve been missing. Learn to determine shadow colors for vibrant results. Practice color matching with a variety of plant material as you create your own extensive color workbook to speed color selection and application for all future colored pencil drawings.

No prerequisites.

Fee: $370 member, $420 non-member. Fee includes supplies (specified in the supply list).

Date(s):

Fri-Sun, Jan. 24-26, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Instructor: Susan DiMarchi

Fri-Sun, March 27-29, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Instructor: Susan DiMarchi

Fri-Sun, June 5-7, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (105)

Instructor: Susan DiMarchi

Color Mixing

The first step to watercolor painting is mixing colors. Learn a system for combining colors consistently to eliminate frustrating trial and error. Exercises, demonstrations and discussion will show you how to achieve the broadest possible spectrum. Learn about paint properties and important information about choosing pigments. Practice mixing colors to match a variety of plant material. You’ll gain confidence and skills to improve your color work.

No prerequisites.

Fee: $265 member, $315 non-member.

Date(s):

Tue, Feb. 18, 25, March 3, 17, 24, 1-4 p.m.

Instructor: Constance Sayas

Wed, June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 1, 9 a.m. – noon

Instructor: Constance Sayas

Color Mixing

The first step to watercolor painting is mixing colors. Learn a system for combining colors consistently to eliminate frustrating trial and error. Exercises, demonstrations and discussion will show you how to achieve the broadest possible spectrum. Learn about paint properties and important information about choosing pigments. Practice mixing colors to match a variety of plant material. You ll gain confidence and skills to improve your color work.

No prerequisites.

Fee: $310 member, $405 non-member.

In-class sessions: Fri-Sat, Jan. 31 – Feb. 1, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

*All assignments are to be completed no later than March 6, 2020.*

Instructor: Constance Sayas

The Off-Site Learning Approach

Following the two-day concentrated classroom instruction, three internet sessions cover the remaining course elements. The successful completion of final artwork (a plate) one month (30 days) after the conclusion of the on-site session is the culmination of each of the distance learning courses.

Students must use a scanner or digital camera to record their weekly achievements and email the high-resolution image to the instructor and the school manager. All student questions, as well as instructor answers, recommendations and suggestions are handled by email. The student must send a scan of the final plate to the instructor and the school manager in order to receive credit for the course.