March events scheduled at Garvan Woodland Gardens
Garvan Woodland Gardens recently announced its activities for March. All events are at the botanical garden, 550 Arkridge Road, unless otherwise noted.
Visit http://www.garvangardens.org or call 262-9300 for information, or visit http://www. garvangardens.org/purchase_tickets/default.aspx for online registration and tickets.
Art exhibit
Art exhibits in the Magnolia Room are free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
• Brenda Bennett and Darlene Garstecki Art Exhibit: “Two Artists — Two Mediums.”
Bennett is an award-winning oil and acrylic painter, according to a news release from the garden. Her canvasses depict 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.
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.
Special events
• Beauty & the Bride: Hot Springs Bridal Expo — 1-4 p.m. March 11, The Hotel Hot Springs & Spa.
Meet dozens of vendors from around the region to help plan the perfect Hot Springs destination wedding. A Hot Springs Wedding Giveaway package will be awarded to one lucky bride at the conclusion of the expo. Must be present and visit all vendor booths to win.
Admission is $10 per person at the door. Sponsored by GWG, Signature Events, Arkansas Bride and Hotel Hot Springs.
• The Muses “Celtic Spring” concert — 3 p.m. March 11, Anthony Chapel.
The Muses Creative Artistry Project returns to Anthony Chapel just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. This annual concert welcomes spring with a unique blend of energetic, beautiful, and ethereal Irish and English ballads, including settings of Shakespeare sonnets and Robert Burns poems and traditional favorites performed in the style of “Celtic Women” by professional singers, dancers, instrumentalists, and area young artists.
Advance tickets are $35 and are available for purchase by visiting http://www.themusesproject. org or by calling 501-609-9811.
• Mrs. Garvan’s Tea — 3 p.m. March 13, Magnolia Room.
This delightful afternoon tea features a living-history presentation of Verna Garvan, the garden’s benefactress. Enjoy traditional tea fare, be entertained by Susan Harper’s expert depiction, and take a stroll through the garden’s spring blooms before or after the tea.
Admission is $32 for members and $37 for nonmembers. Reservations required; seating is limited. Reserve online or call 800-366-4664.
• Celebrate Spring! — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. March
24.
Beginning at 9 a.m., a ribbon cutting and grand reopening of the Garden of the Pine Wind will take place and John Powell will be on site to help dedicate his new design. After the ribbon cutting, Powell will give a walking tour of the Garden of the Pine Wind. Tour is free for members and $15 for nonmembers. Advance reservations required and spots are limited.
Children’s activity booths will be set up from
9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers stationed with fun activities for children of all ages. Booths will include face painting, rock decorating, wand making, origami, and paper flowers/wishes. Activities are included with admission.
The Beer Garden opens at the Garvan Pavilion at 11 a.m. Bubba Brews Brewing Company and Buffalo Brewing Company will be located at the Garvan Pavilion, along with food trucks, to help celebrate spring. Beverages and food will be available for purchase in this area, and the breweries will be serving a custom draft made especially for Garvan Gardens. Valid IDs are required to purchase alcohol. The Chipmunk Café will be open and serving crowd favorites as well.
Admission is free for members, $15 for adult nonmembers, $5 for ages 4-12 and free for children younger than 3 years old.
Workshops and classes
• Horticulture “Minnie” Series — noon to 1 p.m., Magnolia Room.
Garvan Horticulturist Minnie Shelor presents a miniseries that culminates with the completion of a container garden.
The schedule is:
March 6 — Introduction to Landscape Design. April 17 — Foundations of Container Gardening.
June 12 — Application of Container Design
($20 materials fee).
Admission is free for members and $15 per class for nonmembers. Participants may bring their own materials. Register online or call 800366-4664. Online registration requires separate ticket purchase for each class.
• Estate Planning and Wealth Management Seminar — 10 a.m. or 6 p.m. March 8, Magnolia Room.
Bobby Brown Private Wealth Advisors present two informational sessions.
Admission is free for members and $15 for nonmembers. No reservation required.
• Fly Fishing 101 — 1-3 p.m. March 10, Weyerhaeuser Bonsai Learning Center.
Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters presents an introductory class for the beginner fly fisher. Following a brief discussion of commonly used flies, participants will be instructed in proper casting technique.
Admission is $20 per person. Reservations required. Register online or call 800-366-4664.
• Arkansas Forestry Series, Magnolia Room. The Arkansas Forestry Commission presents the following lecture series:
March 15 — Forestry in the Ouachita Mountain Region, 10-11:30 a.m.
April 19 — Fruit Tree Planting and Care, 1011:30 a.m.
May 24 — Tree ID Lecture & Hike: 2-4 p.m. Admission is $10 per class for members and
$20 per class for nonmembers. Reservations required. Register online or call 800-366-4664.
• Hydroponic & Aquaponic System Design —
9:30-11:30 a.m., plus construction time, March 24, Magnolia Room.
Nolen Buffalo of The Water Buffalo in Little Rock presents a demonstrative lecture on the benefits, limitations, and design aspects of hydroponic and aquaponics gardening systems. Following the lecture, participants who wish to construct their own systems will receive guidance, materials, and tools to make and take a basic “bubbling bucket” hydroponic system.
For members, lecture-only admission is $20 and lecture and system build admission is $45; for nonmembers, lecture-only admission is $30 and lecture and system build admission is $55. Reservations required. Reserve online or call
800-366-4664.
• Gardening 101: Spring Edition — 10 a.m. to noon March 26, Magnolia Room.
The Southern Inspiration Garden serves as the classroom for a hands-on approach to learning about gardening.
Admission is free for members and $15 for nonmembers. Reservations required. Reserve online or call 800-366-4664.
• Concepts in Irrigation — 10 a.m. to noon March 31, Magnolia Room.
Work smart, not hard, and save water while doing it. Master Gardener James B. Moore, Jr. and friends present a practical dissection of common irrigation kits available at local retailers. Moore and company explain the utility and disadvantages of various types of irrigation systems.
Admission is $10 for members and $20 for nonmembers. Reservations required. Reserve online or call 800-366-4664.
For kids
• Homeschool Focus — Meet in Bonsai Learning Center.
Each of the Homeschool Focus classes are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and provides children with a hands-on project to help solidify the learning.
The classes and dates are Build an Herb Garden, March 14, 10-11 a.m. and March 17, 2-3 p.m.; DIY Earth Day Eco Bags, April 21, 10-11 a.m.; and Build a Butterfly Garden & Feeder, May 16, 10-11 a.m. and May 19, 2-3 p.m.
Admission is $10 per child or participating adult per class. Reservations required. Reserve online or call 800-366-4664. Online registration requires a separate ticket for each class.
• Garvan Rocks! — March 19, 9-11 a.m. or 1-3 p.m., Magnolia Room.
Join local artist Sissy Hubbard as she shares the generations-old tradition of drawing on stones. Participants will create their own Garvan Rocks and hide them in the garden for others to find if they choose. Geared to children aged 12 and younger.
Admission is $10 per child or participating adult. Reservations required. Reserve online or call 800-366-4664.
• Natural State Ecology Day Camps — 9 a.m. to
3:30 p.m. March 20-22.
The Garvan Education Department offers nature-themed day camps for children ages 8-12. Each day will feature hiking, art projects, journaling, and sharing. Students will enjoy activities that explore the amazing ecology of the Natural State. Call for information about early drop off and extended care for children.
Admission is $55 per day. Reservations required. Reserve online or call 800-366-4664. Online registration requires a separate ticket purchase for each day desired.
Health and Fitness
• Group Health Walks — March 19-June 29, 9 a.m. Meet in Welcome Center.
The organized health walks are designed to stimulate the heart and senses. Pets and strollers are welcome.
The schedule is Mondays, 3 miles in 52 minutes with fitness buff Sharon Turrentine; Wednesdays,
2 or more miles at a comfortable, conversational pace led by artist Dee Garrett; and Fridays, 2 or more miles at a challenging pace, alongside nature enthusiast Ginger Ladehoff.
Admission is free for members and $15 for nonmembers. No reservations are required.