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Continuing Education Classes
Get Started On a New Career!
Learn about our certificate programs in Horticulture and Floral Design.
Summer 2009 registration is
now open.
Browse all classes by start date below, select a class category from the drop-down menu, or type a word into the search box to find specific areas of interest or instructors. Click on a class title to view more information.
Summer 2009 Classes
| Summer 2009 Classes | Category | Instructor | Start Date | |
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Soil Management
The planning that goes into creating a beautiful garden is wasted if the soil is poor. Learn about soil structure, fertility, and water availability to understand what happens underground. Learn about different ways to improve the soil through amendments and other techniques. Lectures are supplemented by hands-on lab sessions. Students receive a copy of the BBG handbook, Healthy Soils for Sustainable Gardens.
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Certificate in Horticulture | Uli Lorimer and Cayleb Long | Apr 28, 2009 |
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Urban Garden Maintenance
Professional horticulturists teach you the ins and outs of maintaining a city garden. Master the tools and techniques for plantcare, pruning, planting, transplanting, and other essential tasks. Learn about site assessment, maintaining flower borders, trees, shrubs, containers, grass, and groundcovers. Each class session focuses on a different maintenance topic.
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Certificate in Horticulture | Michael Mauro and BBG Staff | Jun 16, 2009 |
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Woody Landscape Plant IdentificationSection A
Woody plants—including shade trees, conifers, small trees, and shrubs—form the backbone of a well-planned landscape design. This course will help you master the identification and uses of many woody plants found in urban landscapes. Classroom lectures and hands-on labs are augmented by sessions on the BBG grounds.
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Certificate in Horticulture | Chris Roddick and Michael Mauro |
Apr 30, 2009 |
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Woody Landscape Plant IdentificationSection B
Woody plants—including shade trees, conifers, small trees, and shrubs—form the backbone of a well-planned landscape design. This course will help you master the identification and uses of many woody plants found in urban landscapes. Classroom lectures and hands-on labs are augmented by sessions on the BBG grounds.
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Certificate in Horticulture | Chris Roddick and Michael Mauro |
Jul 9, 2009 |
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Herbaceous Landscape Plant IdentificationSection A
Herbaceous plants accentuate other features in the landscape. When used effectively, they can provide almost year-round bloom. Learn identification methods, landscape uses, and diseases and pests of the perennials and annuals most commonly used in the urban landscape. Classroom lectures are augmented by sessions on the BBG grounds.
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Certificate in Horticulture | Cayleb Long | May 20, 2009 |
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Herbaceous Landscape Plant IdentificationSection B
Herbaceous plants accentuate other features in the landscape. When used effectively, they can provide almost year-round bloom. Learn identification methods, landscape uses, and diseases and pests of the perennials and annuals most commonly used in the urban landscape. Classroom lectures are augmented by sessions on the BBG grounds.
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Certificate in Horticulture | Cayleb Long | Jul 22, 2009 |
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Pest Management
Skilled gardeners must be able to identify and control common insect pests and diseases. In this class, learn which pests might attack your garden and how to control them. Proper site selection, plant selection, soil conditioning, and other integrated pest management (IPM) practices are discussed. Safe application of pesticides is also covered.
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Certificate in Horticulture | Linda Ameroso and Uli Lorimer |
Jun 16, 2009 |
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Basic Flower ArrangingSection AThis class covers the elements of floral design and the tools of the craft through
lectures, workshops, and critiques. Get a thorough introduction to basic techniques, including flower and foliage conditioning, greening an arrangement, and making bows. Create arrangements in a variety of styles: round, triangular, vertical line/mass, and three-sided, crescent, and seasonal arrangements. Learn to consider color, line, and texture. You will receive a toolbox to keep.
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Certificate in Floral Design | Robb Moss | May 13, 2009 |
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Basic Flower ArrangingSection B - Fast TrackThis class covers the elements of floral design and the tools of the craft through
lectures, workshops, and critiques. Get a thorough introduction to basic techniques, including flower and foliage conditioning, greening an arrangement, and making bows. Create arrangements in a variety of styles: round, triangular, vertical line/mass, and three-sided, crescent, and seasonal arrangements. Learn to consider color, line, and texture. You will receive a toolbox to keep.
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Certificate in Floral Design | Rose Edinger | Jun 8, 2009 |
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Intermediate Flower ArrangingSection ALearn advanced styles and complicated design mechanics with a variety of fresh
flowers. This class allows you to be more expressive in your designs. You'll master techniques for parallel designs, vase
arrangements, and working without floral foam, among other topics. Lectures, hands-on workshops, and critiques are
included. Prerequisite: Basic Flower Arranging.
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Certificate in Floral Design | Robb Moss | Jun 21, 2009 |
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Intermediate Flower ArrangingSection B - Fast TrackLearn advanced styles and complicated design mechanics with a variety of fresh
flowers. This class allows you to be more expressive in your designs. You'll master techniques for parallel designs, vase
arrangements, and working without floral foam, among other topics. Lectures, hands-on workshops, and critiques are
included. Prerequisite: Basic Flower Arranging.
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Certificate in Floral Design | George Vallo | Jul 13, 2009 |
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Dried and Silk ArrangementsDried and silk materials offer unique advantages—as well as challenges—to the designer because of the long life of the arrangements and the light weight of the material. Learn the techniques and current styles you'll need to design with dried and silk flowers. You will work with silk and dried materials alone and in combination. Please bring clippers or a floral knife.
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Certificate in Floral Design | Joan E. Prior | Aug 6, 2009 |
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Spring Arrangements from the Garden |
Floral Electives | Robb Moss | May 17, 2009 |
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Design on a Budget |
Floral Electives | Rose Edinger | Jun 14, 2009 |
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Summer Party PlanningLearn how to plan a fantastic party using the botanical bounty of summer. Students
will design a seasonal outdoor party and an elegant indoor party and with appropriate linens, flower arrangements, and
other decorative elements. Each student will create two centerpieces to take home. Bring floral clippers and/or a floral knife.
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Floral Electives | George Vallo | Jun 20, 2009 |
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New York City Flower Market TourSection A |
Floral Electives | George Vallo | May 16, 2009 |
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New York City Flower Market TourSection B |
Floral Electives | Nancy Kitchen | Jun 2, 2009 |
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Citizen Pruner CertificationIt's time to take care of those trees on your block! Completion of this course certifies NYC citizens to care for and prune young street trees. Learn to identify street tree species and the many factors that cause diseases. Also learn how to help trees survive a harsh urban environment. You will receive an instruction manual and information about tools at the first session. Taught in collaboration with Trees New York.
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Gardening and Landscaping | Christopher Roddick | Apr 27, 2009 |
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Window Box Design WorkshopExplore new possibilities for your summer window boxes! See examples of beautiful designs and get the recipe to create them. Learn what every window box gardener needs to know about soil, height, sun, and plant layout. Bring photos of your windows and get expert tips on which plants to use and how, with references for where to buy your materials.
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Gardening and Landscaping | Jim Russell | May 16, 2009 |
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Vegetables in ContainersMany vegetables thrive in containers, making them perfect for windowsills or on
decks, terraces, and rooftops. Learn which varieties do best in containers and how to care for them so that they reward you with a delicious and bountiful harvest!
Urban Agriculture Series!
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Gardening and Landscaping | Leda Meredith | Jul 18, 2009 |
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Edible Weeds |
Gardening and Landscaping | Leda Meredith | Jul 18, 2009 |
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Chickenomics: The Art of Raising ChickensFresh eggs and high-quality fertilizer are just two of the many benefits of having
your own chickens. In this class you will learn the basic requirements for raising urban chickens: how to build henhouses
and coops, heating needs, types of food, keeping pests away, nurturing chicks and hens, and collecting those first eggs. There will be handouts for resources in the metropolitan area as well as online sites.
Urban Agriculture Series!
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Gardening and Landscaping | Rose Unes | Aug 2, 2009 |
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Beekeeping BasicsAre you curious about beekeeping? You don't need a hive of your own to enjoy this
course. Whether you're interested in the benefits of natural honey and wax products or looking to raise your ecological
awareness, this course will get you buzzing! We will cover everything from beekeeping practices in an urban environment
to the history of keeping bees and the current plight of honeybees all over the world. Learn about bee sociobiology (including the roles of queen, worker, and drone), pollination, and more.
Urban Agriculture Series!
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Gardening and Landscaping | Andrew Coté | Aug 2, 2009 |
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City Gardens High and LowDo you have a quirky city space but not a clue how to create a garden in it? Join the
author of The City Gardener's Handbook for a slide lecture and discussion on how to assess a potential garden site—whether it's a rooftop, balcony, or even (lucky you!) a yard. This short course will give you a start on design and get you thinking about the plants that best fit your situation, considering light, wind, privacy, space, and budget.
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Gardening and Landscaping | Linda Yang | May 17, 2009 |
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Gardening for FragranceA rose by any other name won't smell as sweet unless it is one of the fragrant
varieties! Learn which plants will grace your garden with fragrance and appeal to more than just the eye. This class also looks at the botany of fragrance, including why plants produce aromatic chemicals. Weather permitting, we'll tour BBG's Fragrance Garden. Each participant will take home the latest BBG handbook, Fragrant Designs.
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Gardening and Landscaping | Leda Meredith | Jun 27, 2009 |
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Plants from Sea to LandHow do sea plants differ from those that sprout from land? This workshop held in
collaboration with the New York Aquarium (part of the Wildlife Conservation Society) explores the biology and ecology of a variety of local and exotic specimens from land and sea and the art of preserving plant specimens of all types. Study wildflowers to understand how they live bound to the earth while their relatives float at sea. Learn how sea plants—from single-celled algae to underwater kelp forests—sustain and enrich our lives with oxygen, food, medicine, and commercial products (puddings, toothpaste, and nondairy creamers)! Students will collect sea plants to identify and press. Dress for a beach walk.
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Nature and Birding | Merryl Kafka, Lisa Breslof and Paul Harwood |
May 31, 2009 |
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Life in a Flash:
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Nature and Birding | Paul Keim | Jun 28, 2009 |
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BBG at Night:
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Nature and Birding | Paul Keim | Jul 7, 2009 |
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BBG at Night:
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Nature and Birding | Paul Keim | Aug 5, 2009 |
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Urban HerbsWhen times are tough, simple pleasures take on more meaning. If you're cooking
more and eating out less, you can deliciously transform the simplest recipes with fresh herbs from your garden! Learn how
to plant and use popular annual and perennial herbs, including basil, chives, lavender, mint, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, with
Ellen Spector Platt, author of three books about herbs. Get tips on the layout of an herb garden, planting requirements, propagation,
pruning, harvesting, and preserving, along with cooking and craft demonstrations and a tasting of three recipes. After class, students can visit the annual BBG plant sale to get their herb garden started!
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Herbs, Health, and Cooking | Ellen Spector-Platt | May 7, 2009 |
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Tai Chi Chuan I (Indoors)Section ATai chi chuan (“supreme ultimate force”) is a Chinese martial art emphasizing how one's yin and yang can be brought to balance. Regular practice of tai chi chuan improves blood circulation, relaxes your mind and body, increases your chi (internal energy), and gives you a good night's sleep. The class is held outside on BBG grounds (except Tai Chi Chuan I), weather permitting. Wear comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement.
This class includes step-by-step instruction in the principles of this ancient Chinese exercise. No previous experience is necessary.
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Herbs, Health, and Cooking | Kwok Kay Choey | May 29, 2009 |
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Tai Chi Chuan I (Indoors)Section BTai chi chuan (“supreme ultimate force”) is a Chinese martial art emphasizing how one's yin and yang can be brought to balance. Regular practice of tai chi chuan improves blood circulation, relaxes your mind and body, increases your chi (internal energy), and gives you a good night's sleep. The class is held outside on BBG grounds (except Tai Chi Chuan I), weather permitting. Wear comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement.
This class includes step-by-step instruction in the principles of this ancient Chinese exercise. No previous experience is necessary.
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Herbs, Health, and Cooking | Kwok Kay Choey | Jul 10, 2009 |
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Tai Chi Chuan IISection A |
Herbs, Health, and Cooking | Kwok Kay Choey | May 29, 2009 |
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Tai Chi Chuan IISection B |
Herbs, Health, and Cooking | Kwok Kay Choey | Jul 10, 2009 |
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Tai Chi Chuan IIISection A |
Herbs, Health, and Cooking | Kwok Kay Choey | May 29, 2009 |
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Tai Chi Chuan IIISection B |
Herbs, Health, and Cooking | Kwok Kay Choey | Jul 10, 2009 |
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Natural NibblesGet out of the junk-food rut by learning to make tasty, healthy snacks at home. Using
local produce and other nutritious ingredients, you can make an assortment of dried fruits and veggies, granola, crackers,
and other goodies great for lunchboxes and snack time. Learn the basics of drying foods with a dehydrator or just your oven.
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Herbs, Health, and Cooking | Sandra McLean | Jun 28, 2009 |
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Tasting the Land:
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Herbs, Health, and Cooking | Robert Herold | Jun 13, 2009 |
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Botanical JewelsLearn the art of making colorful glasslike ornaments with resin using preserved
dried flowers, leaves, seeds, colorful ground spices, fabrics, paper, and other small objects. The class covers basic techniques of jewelry making and design; each student creates opaque or transparent resin beads to make a ring, pendant, or earrings, and everyone leaves with a distinctive and colorful piece of original jewelry.
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Botanical Crafts | Margarita Poulson | Jul 19, 2009 |
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Flowering Plant Morphology: Botany and IllustrationFrom poppies to oranges, flowering plants exhibit some of the most diverse structures
in the plant kingdom. Learn the basic morphology of angiosperms (plants with flowers) in this inspiring hands-on course to explore your inner scientist and artist. Each session is in two segments: First study morphology with Dr. Susan Pell:
then get lessons and practice drawing the plant structures with botanical illustrator Wendy Hollender. Students in
the Horticulture Certificate Program may take this course for a grade (as an elective).
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The Arts | Susan Pell and Wendy Hollender |
May 14, 2009 |
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Evening Painting and DrawingSpend relaxing, enjoyable evenings at BBG through the summer months, recording on paper the transition from gorgeous spring blooms to vivid summer annuals to cool green landscapes and waterlilies, using watercolor and colored pencils. Receive expert tips on the technique of your choice, and learn new ways to achieve beautiful, lifelike effects when depicting flowers. Bring your own materials; a supply list will be mailed to you upon registration.
This class is not listed in the printed catalog.
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The Arts | Adele L. Rossetti | May 19, 2009 |
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Nature Poetry WorkshopExplore writing poetry outdoors with inspiration from the Garden. This workshop is ideal for beginning poets as well as experienced ones. Class will read and discuss poems by contemporary American masters, including Brooklyn resident Walt Whitman. Students will engage in creative assignments both in and out of class. Work will be critiqued in a supportive atmosphere, with individual attention from the instructor.
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The Arts | Susan Hartman | May 19, 2009 |
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Summer Painting in the GardenSection AEnjoy the beauty of BBG in June as you paint trees, flowers, and landscapes outdoors.
Practice contour drawing with either pencil or brush as well as spontaneous and layered techniques. This class is appropriate for all levels. Bring your own supplies; a materials list will be sent upon registration.
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The Arts | Judith Kunhardt | May 13, 2009 |
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Summer Painting in the GardenSection BEnjoy the beauty of BBG in June as you paint trees, flowers, and landscapes outdoors.
Practice contour drawing with either pencil or brush as well as spontaneous and layered techniques. This class is appropriate for all levels. Bring your own supplies; a materials list will be sent upon registration.
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The Arts | Loretta Poole | May 9, 2009 |
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Exploring PastelsSection ADevelop your understanding of color and composition using pastel, an opaque medium
that allows layering and building of color much like oil paint. Integrate live plant material from the Garden into still-life portraits,
and work outdoors when possible to capture the beauty of early spring. This class is suitable for all skill levels and incorporates basic
drawing principles for the beginner. A supply list will be sent to you upon registration; all other materials are provided.
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The Arts | Enid Braun | May 21, 2009 |
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Exploring PastelsSection BDevelop your understanding of color and composition using pastel, an opaque medium
that allows layering and building of color much like oil paint. Integrate live plant material from the Garden into still-life portraits,
and work outdoors when possible to capture the beauty of early spring. This class is suitable for all skill levels and incorporates basic
drawing principles for the beginner. A supply list will be sent to you upon registration; all other materials are provided.
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The Arts | Enid Braun | Jun 18, 2009 |
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Chinese Brush PaintingNature is the theme. Simplicity is the key. With a bamboo brush, Chinese ink, and rice
paper, learn the picturesque origins of Chinese characters. Get individual instruction in this ancient art form, and develop your own style. All levels welcome. Materials fee includes inks, brushes, and rice paper.
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The Arts | Kwok Kay Choey | Jun 13, 2009 |
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Inspired by Nature:
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The Arts | Elizabeth Meggs | Jun 13, 2009 |
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Drawing for Absolute BeginnersStarting off with simple contour exercises, this class will teach you how to use line to delineate shapes—from still life to landscape. With each drawing you do, you will build skill and confidence to make finished drawings or as a foundation for painting. Subjects include art reproductions, still life, and, of course, BBG's beautiful landscape. Media include pencil, pen, and colored pencils. A supply list will be sent to you upon registration.
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The Arts | Nan Carey | Jun 14, 2009 |
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Botanical Etching WorkshopLearn drypoint etching techniques from this summer's featured artist at the Steinhardt Conservatory Gallery, Briony Morrow-Cribbs. Students will tour the exhibit with the artist, then return to the classroom to sketch an image appropriate for a drypoint, transfer the image to a Plexiglas plate, and etch their plate with an etching needle. The class will also cover various techniques for inking a plate and print it using an etching press. Students will take home their etching plate and several hand-pulled prints.
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The Arts | Briony Morrow-Cribbs | Jul 25, 2009 |
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Botanical Illustration:
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The Arts | Wendy Hollender | Jun 15, 2009 |
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Scientific Illustration: Flora and FaunaAnimals and plants offer a wondrous variety of intricate forms and colors to the careful observer. This class will introduce you to the techniques scientific illustrators use to make complex forms simpler to understand and to draw; mix
realistic color; and work from live models in motion. Students begin by studying plants at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (first three sessions), and then move on to animal models at Prospect Park Zoo (final three sessions). The class is open to students at all levels of proficiency but does require determination and patience: Making realistic images is slow and work-intensive—but uniquely satisfying! A supply list will be sent to you upon registration.
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The Arts | Adele L. Rossetti | Jun 23, 2009 |
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Botanical and Floral WatercolorExplore the beauty and luminosity of the watercolor medium through nature. You will learn new techniques and increase your drawing and painting skills through discussion, demonstration, exercises, and one-on-one attention. All
skill levels are welcome. Bring your own materials. A supply list will be sent to you upon registration.
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The Arts | Albert Massimi | Jul 8, 2009 |
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Beauty and the Botanical BeastJoin BBG plant experts for a fascinating tour of numerous interesting habitats in the New
Jersey Pine Barrens. The expedition will search for beautiful orchids and beastly (but also beautiful!) carnivorous plants. We hope
to see pink lady's slipper (Cypripedium acaule), dragon's mouth (Arethusa bulbosa), grass pink (Calopogon tuberosus), twayblades (Liparis species), pitcher plants (Sarracenia species), sundews (Drosera species), and, if we're lucky, a species of bladderwort (Utricularia), an aquatic carnivorous plant!
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Trips and Tours | Gerry Moore and David Horak |
Jun 6, 2009 |
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The Magic Hour:
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Trips and Tours | Karen Bell | Jun 15, 2009 |
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Wicked PlantsJoin us for an afternoon with Amy Stewart, author of Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities, an A to Z of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate, and otherwise offend. Drawing on history, medicine, science, and legend, Amy will present tales of bloodcurdling botany to entertain and enlighten gardeners and nature lovers. Learn about the plant that killed Abraham Lincoln's mother and the shrub that ignited a global war. From strychnine to castor bean, from poison sumac to monkshood, from carnivorous plants to weeds that spontaneously combust, Stewart introduces an unforgettable cast of characters and tells their tales with her own wicked sense of humor. The talk is accompanied by dazzling photographs and historical images, copper engravings, and even a few botanical villains in seed and plant form.
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Lectures | Amy Stewart | May 31, 2009 |
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Great Rosarians of the World Lecture Series IXBrooklyn Botanic Garden, in cooperation with the Manhattan Rose Society, will serve
as the 2009 principal host of the Great Rosarians of the World lecture series—East Coast. Two outstanding rosarians will be
honored for their work in promoting the love of roses and helping bridge the gap between two major factions in the hobby,
modern roses and old garden roses. Stephen Scanniello is best known for the transformation of BBG's Cranford Rose Garden into a world-acclaimed rose garden during his tenure as its curator. He is currently president of the Heritage Rose Foundation. Marilyn Wellan is the immediate past president of the American Rose Society. She is only the second woman to hold that position in the society's 116-year history and was recently elected to the board of trustees of the Heritage Rose Foundation. The day will begin with a panel discussion: “Grow Easy Roses,” followed by the award presentation and lectures by Stephen and Marilyn. A reception follows in the rotunda.
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Lectures | Stephen Scanniello and Marilyn Wellan |
Jun 6, 2009 |
This material is from Classes & Events, the guide to all educational programs at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. If you would like a printed copy sent to you, or if you would like to receive e-mail updates, please fill out this form.
Check back in late July for Fall 2009 class listings.
