Garden 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.

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.

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.

Creative Classes with Sheila Weitman

Come get creative with Sheila. Sheila is a horticultural therapist who offers a series of creative classes that foster a sense of community and peace within the classroom. Some of the classes offered are hanging herbariums, leaf lanterns, kokedama and more!

Sheila has over 3 decades of experience working in the horticulture trade. She completed the Horticulture Technician Certificate from Camosun College in 1991 and from that time has designed, installed
and maintained gardens throughout southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, in private and public settings. Sheila completed Ecological Landscape Design from Gaia College in 2008 which provided a solid foundation for creating ecologically focused landscapes and gardens. Since receiving a certificate in Horticulture Therapy in 2017 Sheila has provided Horticulture Therapy (HT) and Therapeutic Horticulture(TH) to individuals and groups in Long Term Care and Mental Health and Addictions programs. She is a member of the Canadian Horticulture Therapy Association(CHTA) and a volunteer with Feeding Ourselves and Others at Serenity Farm. www.feedingourselvesandothers.com In 2022, Sheila became a Morning Altars Practitioner after completing Day Schildkret’s certificate program which celebrates the melding of nature, art and ritual. https://www.morningaltars.com Through nature based creating Sheila offers us the opportunity to engage in the soothing practice of nature connection.

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.

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

Link

26

Garden Nature Academy – Fall 2023

September 26 @ 9:00 am - 11:30 amHorticulture Centre Of The Pacific

Garden Nature Academy - Fall Session is Now open! The outdoors offer safe and seasonal opportunities for your preschooler to explore through play, games, songs and activities! These outdoor sessions […]

Link
Link

27

Garden Friends (Parent & Child) Autumn 2023

September 27 @ 9:00 am - 10:30 am$110 - Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific

Children love to explore our gardens while observing and experiencing nature. Together, we will engage in a series of nature activities. Each session includes a garden wander, sharing circle and […]

Link
Link

27

Stories in the Garden – Autumn 2023

September 27 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm$75.00 - Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific

Imagine a gentle nature walk with your child to calm and inspire you both, followed by a story. Plan to bring along your favourite story blanket and snack. Age: 3 […]

Link
Link

28

Garden Nature Academy – Fall 2023

September 28 @ 9:00 am - 11:30 amHorticulture Centre Of The Pacific

Garden Nature Academy - Fall Session is Now open! The outdoors offer safe and seasonal opportunities for your preschooler to explore through play, games, songs and activities! These outdoor sessions […]

Link