Creative Arts

Creativity inspired by nature and gardens!

We have regular garden arts classes with the instructors below, but please check our calendar for occasional arts based classes with other guest instructors.

Instructors

Basketry Classes with Joan Carrigan

Joan Carrigan is a full time basketmaker and basketry teacher living on Salt Spring Island, BC. Over the past 25 years, her passion for baskets has led her to study, travel and explore many different techniques and materials within the medium. Joan studied Fine Art and Art History at the University of Guelph and her love of history prompted her research in traditional techniques. Her background in fine art has encouraged her enthusiasm for the sculptural and creative potentials that the medium offers. Her inspiration comes from the plant materials she respectfully harvests from nature. Joan’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Joan teaches extensively both close to home and in Europe and finds this to be a very rewarding aspect of her career.

Joan’s classes are taught in-person and online. They are suitable for beginners and participants that are more advanced.
Online classes are a great option for those that may not be able to attend in person.

I thoroughly enjoyed the class. Joan is a wonderful communicator and teacher. Thanks so much for offering this online opportunity. Although I’d love to be able to attend a class in Victoria, or B.C., it’s impossible for me just now. I’m very grateful that so many people have facilitated this option.

These classes are popular, so if you would like to go on the interest list to get notices when new classes open for registration, sign up below.

Joan’s next classes will be held in 2025 – join the interest list.

Willow chair workshops with Andrew Kent

Join artisan Andrew Kent from The Willow Way for this full day workshop.  In one day, with Andrew Kent’s expert instruction, you can make and take home your own Bent Willow Rustic Chair. This is a great introduction to rustic building. Learn how to make a square frame from pieces of alder & work with different sizes of willow to create your chair. This is a full day workshop and best done with a helper. The cost is for one or two participants to build one chair. All tools provided.

Click on the date below to learn more and to register for upcoming workshops in 2024.

Next class in January 2025 – join the interest list.

These classes are popular, so if you would like to go on the interest list to get notices when new classes open for registration, sign up below.

Watercolour classes with Richard Wong

Richard Wong is a professional wildlife artist in Victoria, BC. All Richard’s classes are relaxed, fun and fully supported. He offers safe classes for beginners who want to try watercolour for the first time or those wanting to learn more techniques. He offers both in-person and online classes. Most of Richard’s classes are on Japanese art paper and participants will learn how to create a beautiful watercolor painting of local wildlife. Participants return again and again to enjoy these inspiring and positive classes with Richard.

Click the date below to learn more and to register for Richard’s Watercolour classes.

Saturday November 17: Christmas and Winter Watercolour Miniatures

These classes are popular, so if you would like to go on the interest list to get notices when new classes open for registration, sign up below.

Finger Painting without the Paint workshop

Have FUN in the Gardens with Artist and Author Wendy Picken. Explore the mixed medium techniques she has developed over the past 30 years. Learn how to create beautiful flowerscapes while exploring the Gardens on paper. This class is suitable for beginners and is a great refresher for those who have taken the class before. All supplies are included.

Wendy Picken is well known for her whimsical, bold and colorful floral work. She has been an artist on the Saanich Peninsula for the past 35 years. She has illustrated and self published 2 books for children, her latest release is titled ‘Rainbees & Honeybows’.

Click the date to learn more and to register  for her upcoming workshop.

2025 classes coming soon – join the interest list

These classes are popular, so if you would like to go on the interest list to get notices when new classes open for registration, sign up below.

Upcoming Events

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YP Kids – Garden Nature Academy Fall 2024

November 14 @ 9:30 am - 12:00 pm$300.00 - Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific

The Gardens at HCP is our classroom and we explore all of it; from the native plant and ethnobotany trails to the HCP Kids Garden  and to the surrounding trails […]

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Christmas & Winter Themes: Watercolour Miniatures with Richard Wong

November 17 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pmHorticulture Centre Of The Pacific

Adult Community Education | 3 Hour Workshop This workshop comes around once a year in time for the season. Join us for a lovely Sunday afternoon at the Gardens at […]

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YP Kids – Garden Nature Academy Fall 2024

November 21 @ 9:30 am - 12:00 pm$300.00 - Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific

The Gardens at HCP is our classroom and we explore all of it; from the native plant and ethnobotany trails to the HCP Kids Garden  and to the surrounding trails […]

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HCP Kids – Pro-D Day Camps 2024 – 2025

November 22 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm$45.00 - Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific

These non-instructional day camps feature an outdoor program that includes time in our very own HCP Kids Teaching Garden where we grow food, learn to support natural systems and enjoy […]

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