February events scheduled at Garvan Woodland Gardens
Garvan Woodland Gardens recently announced its activities for February. 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 exhibit
• Brenda Bennett and Darlene Garstecki Art Exhibit: “Two Artists-Two Mediums,” Feb. 1-28, Magnolia Room.
Brenda Bennett, an award-winning oil and acrylic painter, depicts a variety of subjects, including landscapes and wildlife. She does not gravitate toward one type of subject matter in particular, though, and explains that her paintings choose her. “In essence, my day-to-day experiences dictate my work,” she said in a news release.
Darlene Garstecki is an award-winning contemporary fiber art designer from Hot Springs Village. Her fiber art is a result of her passion for nature, travel and photography. She incorporates her photographs into realistic fiber art for the home or business using bright, clear hues and thread/bead embellishments to enhance each piece to add texture and depth, the release said.
Workshops
• Bonsai for Beginners — 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 22, Magnolia Room.
Garvan Horticulturist Bryan Carlan leads a workshop for beginning bonsai gardeners. He will discuss plant selection, container and materials sources, and techniques for producing a bonsai specimen that will endure the years. Each participant will leave with a potted bonsai style tree. Admission is $35 for members,
$50 for non members. Limited seating. Advance registration required. Register online or call 800-366-4664.
• Japanese Maple Grafting Workshop — 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 24, Magnolia Room.
Arkansas native Larry Morphew presents an informative session on Japanese maples and grafting techniques. Most Japanese maples sold commercially have been grafted. Grafting is a very old method of reproducing plants, especially those that are difficult to grow from seed and cuttings. Japanese maple falls into this category. Growing Japanese maple cultivars from seed is difficult, since the tree’s flowers openly pollinate, meaning they accept pollen from most other maples in the area. Given this, it is never certain the resulting seedling will have the same looks and qualities as the desired cultivar.
Following the presentation, Morphew will assist participants with producing their very own grafted specimens. Rootstock, scion (plant with the desired characteristics), and grafting tools are provided. Admission is $35 for members, $50 for non members. Limited seating. Advance registration required. Register online or call 800-366-4664.
• Mosaic-Making Workshop — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 27-28, Magnolia Room.
Local artist and Garvan staff member Suzie Burch presents a two-day creative workshop. Each participant will design and create a dimensional mosaic birdhouse art piece.
Following the principal “One person’s trash is another’s treasure,” mosaic art can be made by up cycling materials often found at the flea market or the neighborhood yard sale. While all materials are provided, students are encouraged to bring old trinkets, stones, and other pieces of “junk” they would like to include in their finished piece of art.
Day one will find students designing and placing pieces. Day two will allow students to grout and cure the finished product. Admission is $35 for members, $50 for non members. Limited seating. Advance registration required. Register online or call 800-366-4664.