July events scheduled at Garvan Woodland Gardens

Garvan Woodland Gardens recently announced its activities for July. All events are at the botanical garden, 550 Arkridge Road, unless otherwise noted.

Visit http://www.garvangardens.org or call 262-9300 for reservations, when required.

Art exhibits

Art exhibits in the Magnolia Room are free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

• “Garbanzo Gardens,” Brushstrokes Art

Club, July 1-31.

Brushstrokes is an art club formed in Hot Springs Village to foster a sense of community and support for those with an interest in the visual arts. Through meetings and various programs such as demonstrations by members and guest artists, Painting of the Month recognition awards and opportunities to exhibit their work, Brushstrokes is able to encourage the artistic growth of all members. Brushstrokes also sponsors national and local professional artist workshops for Brushstrokes members and nonmembers.

Special events

• Beat the Heat: Gardening in the Shade, July

18, Magnolia Room, noon to 1 p.m. Garvan horticulturist and garden manager Minnie Shelor shares the top performers for shade based on the success at the garden and recommendations for Southern gardening. Free to members or with paid admission to Garvan Woodland Gardens. Reservations required. Register online or call 800-366-4664.

• Stone’s Throw Brewing Presents “Ice Cream and Beer Pairing with Loblolly Creamery,” July 6, Magnolia Room, 6-8 p.m.

Beat the heat this July with a doubleheader lineup of Arkansas flavor. Stone’s Throw Brewing of Little Rock teams up with Loblolly Creamery. Admission is $30 for members and

$45 for nonmembers. Reservations required; call or register online.

• Fairy and Wizards Tea, July 11, Magnolia Room, 3 p.m.

Children are the honored guests at this popular summertime tea. The food and beverage event is served in the traditional English teastyle with patrons enjoying assorted scones, finger sandwiches and desserts, all accompanied by a variety of flavorful hot and cold teas. Children are encouraged to dress as fairies or wizards for this fantasy-filled afternoon while the Gardens’ own Tea Fairy entertains with a short lesson in tea etiquette, followed by stories to delight the young fairies in attendance. Admission is $28 for members, $33 for nonmembers and $12 for children ages 12 and younger. Reservations required.

• Wine and Beer Tasting with Chateau Aux Arc Vineyards, July 13, Magnolia Room, 6-8 p.m.

Admission is $30 for members and $45 for nonmembers. Reservations required. Call or register online.

• Nolen Buffalo presents Beer and Cheese Making, July 15, Magnolia Room, 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m.

Nolen Buffalo, of the Water Buffalo in Little Rock, is returning to the garden. The first class will focus on cheese making. Cheese made from goat milk is called chevre, and Buffalo will make chevre cheese in class from locally sourced goat milk. He will also discuss making farmhouse style cheese. Participants will sample some farmhouse cheese made a few days prior.

After a lunch break, Buffalo will demonstrate the process of making beer using grains and no additional extract sugars. The entire process of converting starches from grains into sugar, rinsing those grains of the sugars, and then adding hops to a boiling pot is referred to as “all grain” brewing. Each step will be covered from both a scientific and practical perspective. It is highly recommended that participants have either attempted to make beer using extract methods or have read extensively about the beer making process to get the most out of this class. Admission for both sessions is $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers. Door prizes will be given out. Reservations are required; call or register online.

• Art and Wine with Dee Garrett, July 21, Magnolia Room, 6-8:30 p.m.

Back by popular demand, local artist Dee Garrett presents an acrylic painting workshop for artists at the beginner level. The subject for this class will be derived from seasonal garden inspiration. Participants may enjoy complimentary wine and cheese as they practice their techniques, creating 8-by-10-inch finished pieces on canvas. All materials are provided. Participants must be 21 years of age or older. Admission is $44 for members and $60 for nonmembers. Limited seating. Reservations required; call or register online.

Recommended for kids

• Macroinvertebrate Stream Study, July 3 and 10, Garden streams and trails, 8-11 a.m.

Macroinvertebrates, organisms that lack an internal skeleton and are large enough to be seen with the naked eye are an integral part of wetland and stream ecosystems. Participants will make observations about water quality based on the presence and absence of common macroinvertebrate species. Space is limited. Recommended for children ages 8-12. Children younger than 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Call or register online.

• Critter Crawl: Arkansas Night Life, July

20 and 27, Pratt Welcome Center and garden grounds, 8-9:30 p.m.

Join Garvan naturalist Lydell Lively on a night hike through Garvan Gardens, observing the sights and sounds of the natural state’s nocturnal community. Native species will hopefully be observed, such as owls, fox, raccoons, deer and bullfrogs. These after-hours hikes are reserved for Garvan Woodland Gardens member children only. Recommended ages are 8-12. Children younger than 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Call or reserve online.