Art Courses at the Botanic Gardens

Read theWellesleymagazine article about celebrating WCBG's botanical treasures through art.

2021-2022 Art Classes

NEW!Friends Spring-Summer 2022 Program Brochure

NEW!Instructor Bios for Spring-Summer 2022 Programs

As of Feb 8, 2022 - Registration is open for Spring/Summer 2022 botanical art classes! Access brochure at above link.

(For horticultural lectures, please click on the menu choice: Lecture, Programs & Travel)

Fall-Winter 2021-2022 Program Brochure

Spring-Summer 2021 Program Brochure

Registration Form

Fall-Winter 2021-2022 Programs Instructor Bios

2021 Spring-Summer Programs Instructor Bios

Questions? Contact WCBG Friends:wcbgfriends@wellesley.edu..

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, classes are online or have limited in-person sessions; the latest information will be shared via email. If you are not already receiving our emails, please send your name and email address towcbgfriend@wellesley.edu.

Especially for Beginners - look for these art courses in the program brochure:

Foundations of Botanical Drawing and Painting
Suitable for anyone starting their study of botanical painting, as well asthose with some experience.
Education Director Sarah Roche introduces you to the traditional art and science of botanical drawing and painting. Instructional focus includes observational skills, drawing, composition, design, and watercolor techniques. Fall topic: Core Values. Studying the apple, a New England fall fruit, will help introduce the concepts of form, color mixing and depicting texture, using graphite and then watercolor.
Drawing and Painting for the Petrified
Get started painting! All abilities and anxiety levels welcome.
In this relaxed, informative seminar with plenty of helpful demonstrations,you will develop your drawing and painting skills. Education Director Sarah Roche encourages your observational skills to grow in this relaxed seminar with plenty of helpful demonstrations. Experiment with line drawings and the accurate representation of botanical forms. Leap into watercolor painting with a series of fun watercolor exercises. All three sessions will take place in person at Mass Hort. Class size is limited to 12 to maintain social distancing.
Please bring to the first class: 9x12sketch paper, HB (No. 2) pencils, and white plastic eraser. Sarah will discuss brushes, palettes and watercolor paper necessary for the remaining classes. Samples of paint are provided.