art

Observation of the natural world is the first step in creating a successful painting. Documenting objects and specimens in the field lets you gather ideas, gain inspiration, and discover how nature arranges its landscapes. This workshop brings you through Mt. Cuba’s grounds in search of habitats with fungi, foliage, and other materials to draw or paint in a sketchbook. Please bring your lunch. A detailed list of required materials is provided with registration. This program takes place in person at Mt. Cuba Center on Thursday, September 5, 2024. About the Instructor: Margaret Saylor is the editor/designer of ASBA’s The Botanical

Create stunning silk scarves using leaves and other natural materials in this one-day workshop. Learn how to bundle and wrap fabric and plant materials so that prints come out clearly and with maximum color. Discover how color-shifting occurs in the dye bath, how mordants assist the dye process, and how different fabrics and techniques affect the resulting color. Students will complete two full-length silk scarves. Bring your lunch. This program takes place in person at Mt. Cuba Center on Friday, October 4, 2024. About the Instructor: Sara Setzer is a fiber artist who specializes in the art of felt work.

Capture the essence of nature while learning the beginning steps of three-dimensional needle felting. Local textile artist Sara Setzer demonstrates how to create beautiful designs of moths, butterflies, and bees using wool and other natural fibers in this relaxed crafting session. Leave with your own hoop framed piece of original art, ready to hang and admire. No experience needed. Bring your lunch. This program takes place in person at Mt. Cuba Center on Sunday, October 6, 2024. About the Instructor: Sara Setzer is a fiber artist who specializes in the art of felt work. Inspired by nature, she creates eco-dyed

Decorate the harvest table this season with a runner, placemats, or napkins made using natural dyes extracted from goldenrods, walnuts, and indigo. Diane Keesee discusses the historic uses of dyes and how to identify and responsibly harvest local dye-producing plants. Preparation and dyeing techniques using natural mordants and modifiers are presented. Try your hand at these heritage skills and share them with your friends and family this year. This program takes place in person at Mt. Cuba Center on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. About the Instructor: Diane Keesee has a passion for creating interesting signature cocktails, spirit infusions, shrubs, and

Join artist Emma Brittain as she guides you in discovering the art of identifying subtle colors and enhancing the vibrancy of your drawings. In this class, participants will learn to use artist-grade colored pencils to sketch a great blue heron. The primary emphasis will be on refining colored pencil techniques and honing the ability to perceive the myriad of colors hidden within the feathers of a common bird. A sketchbook or drawing grade paper and 24 or more pack of Prismacolor brand colored pencils is recommended.This program takes place online Thursday, May 29, 2025. About the Instructor: Emma Brittain is

Cyanotype, also known as sun prints, is a camera-less photographic printing process that allows the artist to explore shape, light, and an appreciation of nature. In this class, students will learn the history of this process, use the sun as a UV light source, and create cyanotypes using plant materials harvested from Mt. Cuba. No prior experience is necessary, and all supplies will be provided. This class includes walking in and out of the classroom to expose prints to sunlight and using chemicals that may stain clothes. This program takes place in-person at Mt. Cuba Center Saturday, May 31, 2025

Create a table runner or a set of napkins made using dyes extracted from natural sources like indigo. Diane Keesee discusses historic uses of dyes and how to identify and responsibly harvest local dye-producing plants. Preparation and dyeing techniques using natural mordants and modifiers are presented. Try your hand at these heritage skills and share them with your friends and family this year. This program takes place in-person at Mt. Cuba Center Saturday, June 7, 2025. About the Instructor: Diane Keesee has a passion for creating interesting signature cocktails, spirit infusions, shrubs, and bitters, using unique seasonal ingredients. She has

Create stunning silk scarves using leaves and other natural materials in this one-day workshop. Learn how to bundle and wrap fabric and plant materials so that prints come out clearly and with maximum color. Discover how color-shifting occurs in the dye bath, how mordants assist the dye process, and how different fabrics and techniques affect the resulting color. Students will complete two full-length silk scarves. Bring your lunch. This program takes place in-person at Mt. Cuba Center Friday, October 3, 2025. About the Instructor: Sara Setzer is a fiber artist who specializes in the art of felt work. Inspired by

Do you have art supplies that you no longer need, but are still in working condition? Would you love to find free materials that you do need? Then come to Lansdowne’s Fall Art Supply Exchange! At this event, you can bring art supplies you no longer want (but are still usable) for others to take, and pick up new supplies for yourself from what others have brought. The event will take place on October 18th at Utility Works. Drop-off of supplies will open at 11 am and end at 2 pm, and the “shopping” period for supplies will last from

Create your own beautiful wood-burned artwork in this one-of-a-kind workshop. Discover different woodburning techniques, compare how different types of wood burn, and explore your artistic side by creating various textures, shapes, and designs with a simple to use wood burning pen! Leave this workshop with unique ornaments or a set of four wood-burned coasters that will make the perfect holiday gift or addition to your tree. Woodburning supplies, gift wrapping materials, and festive holiday snacks are provided! This program takes place in-person at Mt. Cuba Center Saturday, December 13, 2025. About the Instructor: Nicole DeLizzio is an Arborist at the Mt.

Create your own beautiful wood-burned artwork in this one-of-a-kind workshop. Discover different woodburning techniques, compare how different types of wood burn, and explore your artistic side by creating various textures, shapes, and designs with a simple to use wood burning pen! Leave this workshop with your own wildflower-themed project. Woodburning supplies are provided. This program takes place in-person at Mt. Cuba Center Saturday, January 31, 2026 (Rain Date: Saturday 2/7). About the Instructor: Nicole DeLizzio is an Arborist at the Mt. Cuba Center. She holds a BS in Agriculture and Natural Resources with a minor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Create a one-of-a-kind, no-knit, durable tote bag, ideal for carrying a bottle of wine and more! Using merino wool and other fun fiber accents, Sara Setzer walks you through the ancient craft of wet felting, from selecting and arranging your wood fibers to the finished product. Expand your knowledge of fiber arts and go home with a truly unique hand-crafted tote. Please bring your lunch. This program takes place in-person at Mt. Cuba Center Saturday, March 21, 2026 (Rain Date: Saturday 3/28). About the Instructor: Sara Setzer is a fiber artist who specializes in the art of felt work. Inspired

Capture the essence of nature while learning the beginning steps of 3-dimensional needle felting. Local textile artist Sara Setzer shows you how to create beautiful floral designs using wool and other natural fibers in this relaxed session of crafting. Leave with your own hoop-framed piece of original art, ready to hang and admire. No experience needed! Bring your lunch. This program takes place in-person at Mt. Cuba Center Sunday, March 22, 2026 (Rain Date: Sunday 3/29). About the Instructor: Sara Setzer is a fiber artist who specializes in the art of felt work. Inspired by nature, she creates eco-dyed and

Mt. Cuba’s unique collections of native plants are a natural fit for the art of botanical drawing. Using specimens from Mt. Cuba’s gardens, learn how to draw flowers, foliage, and stems realistically in this entry-level program. Start with the elements of line, shape, and form, and progress to developing your own personal drawing style. Begin with Learning to Draw Spring Wildflowers or dive into the upper-level courses if you already have the basics. $165 per course or enroll in the entire series | $446 A detailed list of required materials is provided with registration. Learning to Draw Spring Wildflowers: Four

Learn techniques using different lighting to your advantage to express emotion in your photos, tell stories through your photos using varying angles, and more tips to further develop your skills in the art of capturing nature with a lens. Students should bring a smartphone or other camera they are comfortable using to practice the techniques learned. If you have a tripod and are interested in learning how to better utilize it, bring it along. Please dress for the weather. This program takes place in-person at Mt. Cuba Center Saturday, April 11, 2026 (Rain Date: Sunday 4/12). About the Instructor: David

Mt. Cuba’s premier collection of native trilliums provides a spectacular floral display each spring. Capture the ephemeral nature of trillium in this unique paper botanical workshop. Learn basic botanical components of trilliums while creating a realistic paper replica of two pedicellate trillium species – one erect and one nodding, Trillium grandiflorum and Trillium erectum. Join instructor Cynthia Woodsong, a North Carolina Master Naturalist whose work focuses on making paper replicas of US native flowering plants as botanically accurate as possible. No previous experience is needed but good finger dexterity and steady hands are helpful. All materials will be provided for

Create your own beautiful wood-burned artwork in this one-of-a-kind workshop. Discover different woodburning techniques, compare how different types of wood burn, and explore your artistic side by creating various textures, shapes, and designs with a simple to use wood burning pen! Leave this workshop with your own wildflower-themed project. Woodburning supplies are provided. This program takes place in-person at Mt. Cuba Center Saturday, April 25, 2026. 🥬 Gift or take home About the Instructor: Nicole DeLizzio is the Stewardship Manager at the Willistown Conservation Trust. She holds a BS in Agriculture and Natural Resources with a minor in Wildlife Ecology

Bring yourself to the next level with drawing native wildflowers from Mt. Cuba’s unique collections. Continue to learn basic botanical drawing skills, such as composition, scale, and perspective, while introducing simple color techniques that add another dimension to your work. A series of step-by-step exercises, instructor demonstrations, and one-on one feedback sessions provide a strong foundation in botanical drawing. Students may work in watercolor or colored pencil. A detailed list of required materials is provided with registration. This program takes place in-person at Mt. Cuba Center Four Thursdays: 4/30 through 5/21. About the Instructor: Margaret Saylor is a working studio

Among the most cherished of Mt. Cuba’s plant native wildflowers collection, Trillium graces the spring forest floor with quiet elegance. Its three-petaled form, unfolding in shades of white, pink, and maroon, signals renewal and the awakening of our woodlands. Revered for its simple symmetry and deep ecological roots, Trillium invites us to slow down and notice the beauty that endures. In this workshop, transform that fleeting moment of spring into something everlasting. Inspired by specimens from Mt. Cuba’s native gardens, you’ll shape, texture, and connect copper to create a lifelike Trillium adornment—an homage to the forest’s gentle bloom. Learn traditional