Chicago Botanic Garden Classes, Chicago

Inspired by the little treasures you save and love, we will cleverly combine old and new elements to create spectacular jewelry. Bring your special and sentimental keepsakes, single earrings, buttons, charms, chains, family photos, and found objects and let Bonnie Arkin inspire your creativity.  You will learn to solder, wire wrap, and string....

Create either a charming rustic reindeer or a holiday tree of willow. The reindeer is 4 to 5 feet from hooves to the tips of antlers. The holiday tree is 5 to 6 feet tall, and can be decorated with twinkly lights and more for the holidays, and then used as a vine support for the summer. Please bring a hammer, hand pruners, and work gloves. No experience...

Creating and enjoying a bird oasis connects us to nature and helps sustain bird populations. A small Chicago bird garden is showcased to illustrate how to attract more than 100 bird species.  Tips include landscape enhancements, practices, and plant selection, with an emphasis on natives/nativars. Learn about migration, species diversity, habitat,...

Learn to create an enjoyable backyard space that is functional and fun. Explore the design and development of dining and entertaining areas (such as decks and patios), children’s play spaces, and outdoor storage and utility areas. Learn how to screen and focus views to create a sense of enclosure for private areas with comfort and security.

Discover how to effectively convey landscape design ideas to your clients through successful perspective drawing. You will explore concepts through fundamental exercises in producing basic one- and two-point perspective drawings, acquire techniques to improve your drawing skills, including using color pencil, and learn to create a perspective through...

Bungalows and Arts and Crafts-inspired houses are typically charming smaller homes found in cities and suburbs across the country. These popular style homes are appealing because they were often designed to be in harmony with nature and outdoor living. Discover how plants, hardscape, and other elements can enhance your own bungalow garden.

Learn to make mouthwatering Indian street food and chai tea in this cooking class, featuring vegetarian snack recipes that are perfect for parties.  Make a delicious platter of vegetable pakoras: tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, and spinach dipped in gram (chickpea) flour to make crunchy fritters. Complete the party spread with masala chai, a must-have...

Explore the mystery of owls at night. Learn owl behavior and identification, as well as the places these fascinating birds are likely to be seen. After an indoor discussion, you will enjoy a guided walk in the woods to look and listen for these enigmatic birds. Dress for the weather, and bring a flashlight and binoculars.

Gouache is a medium known for its intense color and opacity. Learn how to work light on dark to capture the details found in fall's pods and remnants of the summer season. You will work in the traditional English style using dry brush. Gouache and paper will be provided by the instructor.  Prerequisite: Watercolor I or previous experience. ...

Rosemary, bay leaves, thyme, basil, and oregano are staple herbs for cooks, and there are many more that are just as easy to grow. In summer, herbs attract pollinators and add fragrance to the garden, and in winter, they can brighten a kitchen counter or windowsill. Discover the joy of growing, harvesting, and using your own fresh herbs.  This...

This advanced class will further your knowledge of selections and layers, allowing for photo enhancement and manipulation. Projects include black and white with color accents, old photo restoration, and abstract art creation.  Requirements for the course are a laptop computer with a current version of Adobe Photoshop installed and a digital...

This class is for those students who have participated in Rejuvenated Jewelry and are ready to learn more techniques and explore many creative ideas. We create spectacular jewelry from vintage broken jewelry, watches, tin, and china. Bring your grandma’s jewelry box and collected treasures.  Prerequisite: Rejuvenated Jewelry or consent of...

Explore the creation of photographic images beyond color, looking into the shadows and textures that lay beneath nature’s color spectrum, using plants and objects found at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Tonality and dynamic range, the potential of depth of field, and the zone system of shooting in black and white will be discussed.  Digital SLR...

How do you take your plans from the drawing board to creating the garden without being overwhelmed by the amount of work and money? Learn how to develop a shopping list and timeline to phase the work over several seasons. You’ll receive some useful tips on budgeting, purchasing plants, and working with landscape professionals.

Are you interested in learning more about how to work with youth in an urban agriculture or school garden setting? Would you like to know more about structuring a youth development program centered on sustainable agriculture and food systems during the summer or school year? Please join the Windy City Harvest Youth Farm staff for a day of focused learning,...