Tactile Art: Expanding Access to Information

Ann Cunningham, Matthew Gesualdi and Nicole Johnson

Join three leaders in the emerging field of tactile graphics to see how tangible pictures can expand access to information. Explore how your ideas and art could be shared with a wider and more diverse audience!

Ann Cunningham teaches art at the Colorado Center for the Blind. Ann has created accessible children’s books and public artwork for institutions across the U.S.

Matthew Gesualdi, holds a B.A. in Industrial Design and an M.A. in Educational Leadership, with expertise in 3D printing. He is currently a member of the Denver Art Museum’s Access Advisory Group.

Nicole Johnson is pursuing a Ph.D. within the ATLAS Institute at the University of Colorado Boulder. She produces tactile graphics for higher education textbooks.

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.One thing is for sure, you will never be bored outside at Cherokee! This adventure is a walking tour, allowing time to observe and learn about the plants and birds found in this environment.

This year we are starting much earlier for better birding. But the plants will already be awake!

In Fall the Sumac and plums are turning color in the gullies, and the oaks are showing some burnished bronze. Fall is a fabulous season on Cherokee Ranch: Senecio, Aster and Goldenrod are everywhere. Blazing star paints purple spikes in the tousled mats of buffalo grass. The Spotted Towhee bird can be overlooked in the spring and summer, is more visible now since many of the spring and summer residents have started their fall migration. Two species of Jays – Scrub and Steller’s can now get the attention they deserve. They can be “missed” in spring and summer as we look at the other species.

Tour Guides: Panayoti Kelaidis and Lynn Willcockson

Price: $25, $20 member

Special Instructions: Please wear comfortable shoes and bring your own supply of water for a 2 hour adventure. 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.

Children over10 years of age are permitted in this program.

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

Hike location:

Cherokee Ranch and Castle

6113 N Daniels Park RD

Sedalia, CO 80135

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. One thing is for sure, you will never be bored outside at Cherokee! This adventure is a walking tour, allowing time to observe and learn about the plants and birds found in this environment.

Price: $25, $20 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.

Children over10 years of age are permitted in this program.

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

Tour location:

Cherokee Ranch and Castle

6113 N Daniels Park RD

Sedalia, CO 80135

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. ONLINE Zoom-session

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, July 24-26, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Instructor: Susan DiMarchi

Fri-Sun,Sep. 25-27, 9 a.m.  2:30 p.m.

Instructor: Susan DiMarchi

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

Tue, Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17, 1-4 p.m.

Instructor: Constance Sayas

The arrangement of line, shape and color in artwork is itself an art form. The difference between a pleasant picture and amazing artwork is often found in composition. This course begins with a study of recognized masters and contemporary illustrators. Learn how to use compositional elements and principles in your botanical illustration. Create your own thumbnail compositions and develop insight and expertise to enhance your future illustrations.

No prerequisites.

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

Date(s):

Mon, Jan. 13, 20, 27, Feb. 10, 17, 1-4 p.m.

Instructor: Marjorie Leggitt

Fri-Sun, Aug. 7-9, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Instructor: Marjorie Leggitt

Push your drawing skills into a new realm. Carbon dust has been a mainstay medium for medical and scientific illustrators for more than 75 years. Using a combination of pencil lines and dust washes applied with brushes, this medium produces rich tonal renderings with the value range of charcoal and the precision of watercolor. You’ll be introduced to the various tools associated with carbon dust, including carbon pencils, brushes, blenders and fixative. Choose a subject well-suited to the technique and learn to use methodical layering to create a flawless continuous tone. Complete the finer details with pencil for a finished carbon-dust rendering.

Prerequisite: Botanical Illustration in Pencil II.

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

Date(s):

Tue, Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17, 9 a.m. – noon

Instructor: Randy Raak

Do you need fresh ideas for your pots and containers? Here at the Gardens, we have outdoor containers year-round that go beyond the expected with novel texture and color combinations. Explore the variety of fun and unexpected container gardens at the Gardens with a docent-led tour to learn how to create your own edible, fragrant or pollinator-attracting containers.

Price: $16, $12 member, $10 student

Special instructions: Tours are outdoors; dress accordingly for the weather. Water, sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended. Please bring booking confirmation. Masks are required.

Notes: Prices include admission to the Gardens. Tours with low registration are subject to cancellation. For safety reasons, tours are currently limited to five participants.

Presented and Managed by the City of Aurora

Immerse yourself in the beauty and history of the high plains shortgrass prairie through a guided nature hike. Experience the prairie in the soft morning light while catching some breathtaking views of the Colorado front range and the chance to view resident wildlife.

The City of Aurora's Parks, Recreation & Open Space department's mission is to encourage active lifestyles and create healthy environments for people, nature and community.

Price: $5

Location: Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Avenue, Aurora, CO 80013 Phone 303-326-8380

Embossing is an art form used to raise a shape from the surface of paper. The embossed shape casts a delicate shadow and, when combined with color, creates an elegant effect. We provide decorative letter and flower patterns, and you learn how to design, cut a stencil and choose the best paper surfaces for embossed subjects. Finish your project with ink or colored pencil accents and leave the class with an elegantly embossed design.

No prerequisites.

Fee: $$290 member, $$340 non-member.

Date(s):

Wed, April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20, 6-9 p.m.

Instructor: Renee Jorgensen

This is how we do it! This online Zoom class introduces you to the tradition of botanical Illustration for scientific purposes, and the curriculum of Denver Botanic Gardens School of Botanical Art and Illustration. Learn the basic steps for illustration and get introduced to the main media (graphite, ink, colored pencil and watercolor) taught in the School. Carefully explained demonstrations, simple exercises and helpful critiques will show you how to draw what you see botanical world.

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

Dates and Times: Mon, July 13, 20, 27, Aug. 3, 10, 1-4 PM MDT

Instructor: Meredith Feniak

Join us as we create miniature lands for our mystical garden friends. Discover which plants fairies fancy as you design, plant and landscape a tiny fairy oasis.

Family Make and Take programs offer a space for children and their grownups to connect with natural materials and create together. These self-guided and self-paced programs are designed to provide a creative environment that sparks imagination. The Gardens provides the space and supplies. You and your family provide the ideas and creativity!

Audience: Materials provided are appropriate for families with children ages 5 and up.

Price: $15 per project fee non-members; $12 per project fee members. Each project fee includes one garden container, plant and access to a variety of natural and manmade materials to use for decoration.

Please note, the program fee does not include admission to the main Gardens. Both members and non-members must reserve or purchase general admission tickets to the Gardens if you plan to visit them before or after your program.

Registration Instructions: Pre-registration is required. Program registration will not be available onsite. 

The number of project fees should equal the number of people making an individual fairy garden.

The following safety procedures and requirements are in place for attending onsite classes during COVID-19:

• All adults and children over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask.

• Class sizes are reduced to follow social distancing protocols. Materials used during the program will not be shared between participant groups and will be disinfected between each use.

• The program will take place entirely outdoors. Access to buildings will be limited to restrooms only.

• Please practice social distancing  keep at least six feet away from visitors not in your party.

If the program is sold out, we encourage you to add your family's name to the waitlist.

Free online learning for children and families! Join us for our free summer programming and discover new weekly plant topics from the comfort of home! School-age children and families explore plants and connect with the Gardens in this donation-based program. This 30-45 minute live program is held virtually using Zoom.

July 8: Painting with Plants

July 15: Fun in the sun!

July 22: Mud Painting

July 29: Live Reptiles!

Audience: Families with school-age children

Price: Free, registration is required.

Registration Instructions: Only one registration is needed per household. Registration closes at 4:00 p.m. the day before program.

The day before the session you will receive email on how to join the program electronically.  

If the program is sold out, we encourage you to add your family's name to the waitlist. More program times may be added to accommodate waitlists.

Come out to the Plains Conservation Center and learn about the birds that frequent the prairie and then complete a bird project together.

Family Workshops at Plains Conservation Center offer families a fun, hands-on guided opportunity to learn about the prairie and the people, plants and animals that live or have lived on the prairie. Workshops include a guided exploration of the topic and a hands on project for adults and children to create together. This workshop is designed for families with children ages 4-10.

Price:  $12 per person

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

81 mins | Rated Not Rated | Documentary
Directed by Louie Schwartzberg
Starring Paul Stamets, Tony D. Head, Michael Pollan, Eugenia Bone, Andrew Weil and Dennis J. McKenna,

Fantastic Fungi  is a descriptive time-lapse journey about the magical, mysterious and medicinal world of fungi and their power to heal, sustain and contribute to the regeneration of life on Earth that began 3.5 billion years ago.

Narrated by Academy Award-Winner Brie Larson,  Fantastic Fungi  takes us on an immersive journey into the magical earth beneath our feet: an underground network with the potential to heal and save our planet. Through the eyes of renowned scientists and mycologists, we become aware of the beauty, intelligence and solutions the fungi kingdom offers us in response to some of our most pressing medical, therapeutic and environmental challenges.

Ferns predate most other plant species on Earth, and the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory is home to specimens of many varieties that continue to thrive today. Their delicate structures and textures are fascinating to study and a pleasure to illustrate—in fact, ferns have been illustrated for more than 1,500 years! Working in pencil and brush, you’ll develop pigment-free values and master seamless gradations from lightest light to darkest dark without the usual graphite sheen. Concentrate on the stem-like rhizomes, leafy fronds and sporangia underneath the leaves. Learn to draw complex detail without losing overall form. All the skills that you learn in this class can be transferred to any other medium, improving your overall confidence in your artistic skills.

Prerequisite: Botanical Illustration in Pencil II.

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

Date(s):

Tue, March 24, 31, April 14, 21, 28, 9 a.m. – noon

Instructor: Randy Raak

Energize your photography and find sources of inspiration all around you. In this course we’ll cover places where you can find inspiration, subjects to inspire your photography and challenges to get you to see the world with fresh eyes.

This session will be held online. Details on how to join the class will be emailed the day before the program.

Price: $26, $22 member

Instructor: John Bosley

John Bosley is a wedding and portrait photographer in Denver, CO. He is also a writer for PhotographyLife.com, a top-ranked photography blog, and co-creator of an educational video series about photography.

Presented and Managed by the City of Aurora

Discover Aurora's true nature under the light of the full moon and learn a little about its history with this guided nature hike.

The City of Aurora's Parks, Recreation & Open Space department's mission is to encourage active lifestyles and create healthy environments for people, nature and community.

Price: $5

Location: Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Avenue, Aurora, CO 80013 Phone 303-326-8380

Immerse yourself in the Gardens with a horticulturist as your guide. Gain insight into living museum collections and walk away with gardening tips from an expert. Please note that every tour has its own emphasis and is led by a different horticulturist.

Wednesday, July 22, 10 a.m.: “Medicinal Plants” with Blake Burger, horticulture specialist

Tuesday, September 15, 9:30 a.m.: “Fall Garden Preparation” with Mike Bone, curator of steppe collections

Price: $19, $15 member

Special instructions: Tours can be both indoors and outdoors; dress accordingly for the weather. Water, sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended. Please bring booking confirmation. Tours are one hour long. Masks are required.

Notes: Prices include admission to the Gardens. Tours with low registration are subject to cancellation. These tours are not available for private parties. For safety reasons, tours are currently limited to five participants.

Gift memberships take up to 72 hours to be activated. Please allow 7-10 business days for the gift packet to be mailed to your gift recipient.

If you are renewing a gift membership click here

membership card (Only valid for named card holder)

1 person admitted per visit (card holder)

Advance ticketing for Summer Concert Series (Day 5)

3 one-time use guest passes

Entry to our Member Mornings where the Gardens are open just to members

Access to the Gardens' quarterly magazine