Nurture your inner artist with a class in botanical drawing, painting, or photography or by attending one of our hands-on, nature-inspired craft workshops. Our classes, taught by accomplished, professional artists, will allow you to increase your skills while enhancing your understanding of the natural world.
Location: Most classes will take place at BRIT or at the FW Botanic Garden. Some classes and workshops will be taught off campus and/or may include field trips to other locations around North Central Texas.
Cost: Class tuition varies depending on the length of the class and materials needed. Please see the individual class listings for exact prices.
Who should attend: GROW Adult Ed classes are designed for adults 18 and older. Interested children 14 and older are invited to attend classes with a parent or guardian if both individuals purchase a seat. Please don't hesitate to contact Erin Starr White if you have any questions about this policy.
Helpful Tip: Since you never know where GROW Adult Ed might take you, we recommend that participants dress comfortably in clothes that are appropriate for both indoor and outdoor adventures. A sweater is recommended for air conditioned environments, and closed toe shoes are always a good idea. Please check individual class listings for any specific requirements and, as always, don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you at a GROW Adult Education class soon!
Nurture your inner artist with a class in botanical drawing, painting, or photography or by attending one of our hands-on, nature-inspired craft workshops. Our classes, taught by accomplished, professional artists, will allow you to increase your skills while enhancing your understanding of the natural world.
Capturing Wanderlust is a course in painting contemporary landscapes in watercolor inspired by a love of scenery and travel. Created for those with some experience in watercolor, the course will still include a review of materials and basic techniques in watercolor, and will engage students in an ongoing discussion of the unique qualities of this luminous, serendipitous medium. In this 4-week course, students will harness watercolor to paint a different landscape each week, including one of their choosing, guided by the instructor through demonstration and experimentation. The subject matter will touch upon themes of natural beauty and light as manifested in clouds, land, and water. Materials not included, but a supply list is provided.
Instructor: Brenda Ciardiello
Wednesday, January 8, 15, 22 & 29 (6 pm – 9 pm)
Registration Deadline: January 6
$215/$200 member
Supply List: www.dickblick.com/lists/wishlist/RS1PFTPXGIEFJ/publicview/ (you will receive a short list of additional supplies before the first class)
Come learn the earliest method of forming clay with local artist Kendall Davis. This method starts with a ball of clay and pinching the walls of the pot into a cup form. There will be the option to turn the cup into a planter with a drainage hole. Supplies and clay will be provided. Finished pieces will be taken to Kendall’s studio to be fired and glazed; they can then picked up from her store.
Instructor: Kendall Davis, Kendall Davis Clay
Saturday, January 11, 2020 (10 am – noon)
Registration Deadline: January 9
$65/$55 member
Have you always wanted to learn to draw the natural world in color? Then this Beginner's Class is for you! This is an introduction to colored pencil appropriate to beginner and intermediate artists; students will learn techniques for colored pencil success including layering, color theory, and special considerations for various colored subjects. Materials not included, but a supply list will be provided.
Instructor: Samantha Peters
Saturday, February 1, 2020 (10 am – 3 pm)
Registration Deadline: January 30
$95/$85 member
In this four-week course we will focus on four different Texas landscapes (Hill Country, West Texas desert, swamp, and the coast) and the plant life that inhabits each region. Participants will draw from photographs, live plants, and plant specimens from BRIT’s herbarium. We will learn basic drawing and watercolor skills, as well as some techniques to paint with acrylic. Each class will start with a brief lecture about the day’s subject followed by a live demonstration. You will leave each class with a beautiful scientific illustration of a Texas native plant. Materials not included, but a supply list is provided.
Instructor: Erika Duque
Wednesday, February 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2020 (6 – 8 pm)
Registration Deadline: February 3
$165/$150 member
Meet professional photographer and educator Edgar Miller in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Conservatory to photograph Butterflies in the Garden! We begin in the classroom, where you will learn the techniques and settings that will allow you to capture these ephemeral beauties in both the controlled environment of the conservatory and in open local flowerbeds. Afterward, you’ll enjoy a full hour of private time in the exhibit, allowing you to practice what you have learned without worrying about the crowds. You will leave with amazing photos and knowledge to use on future butterfly “catching” expeditions! Bring your cameras, lenses, and tripods to create lasting memories. This workshop takes place both indoors and out. Comfortable clothes are recommended. Participants are encouraged to share their photos by using #britAdultEducation.
Instructor: Edgar Miller, Edgar Miller Images
Saturday, March 4, 2020 (8:30 – 10 am)
Registration Deadline: March 2
$38/$28 member
In this imaginative watercolor class, butterflies are the inspiration for unique paintings informed by a variety of styles. Discover your own approach to capturing this beloved pollinator in color. Each student will take home a unique piece of butterfly-inspired art, as well as inspiration to carry them to their next watercolor project. Materials not included, but a supply list is provided.
Instructor: Swetha Kalluri
Saturday, March 7, 2020 (10 am – noon)
Registration Deadline: March 5
$40/$35 member
Explore the pollination dance of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in this hands-on photography class on Fort Worth Botanic Garden and BRIT grounds. Pollinators are both a calming and enlivening sight and capturing their dance brings new challenges to many photographers. Join professional photographer and educator Edgar Miller to learn tools to photograph the variety of pollinators visiting our gardens. Starting in the classroom, you will learn the techniques, settings, and equipment needed to capture the vibrant promenade of winged friends. Afterward, venture into the gardens to practice what you’ve learned. You will leave with exceptional photographs and knowledge to use on your solo adventures! Bring your cameras, lenses, and tripods and create lasting memories. This workshop takes place both indoors and out. Comfortable clothes are recommended. Participants are encouraged to share their photos by using #britAdultEducation.
Instructor: Edgar Miller, Edgar Miller Images
Saturday, March 7, 2020 (10:30 am – 12:30 pm)
Registration Deadline: March 5
$35/$30 member
Meet professional photographer and educator Edgar Miller in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Conservatory to photograph Butterflies in the Garden! We begin in the classroom, where you will learn the techniques and settings that will allow you to capture these ephemeral beauties in both the controlled environment of the conservatory and in open local flowerbeds. Afterward, you’ll enjoy a full hour of private time in the exhibit, allowing you to practice what you have learned without worrying about the crowds. You will leave with amazing photos and knowledge to use on future butterfly “catching” expeditions! Bring your cameras, lenses, and tripods to create lasting memories. This workshop takes place both indoors and out. Comfortable clothes are recommended. Participants are encouraged to share their photos by using #britAdultEducation.
Instructor: Edgar Miller, Edgar Miller Images
Wednesday, March 28, 2020 (8:30 – 10 am)
Registration Deadline: March 26
$38/$28 member
