These one-hour, guided programs for kids and adults will give you a whole new look at spring at the Arboretum.  .

Identify plants in winter, stroll among the conifers with Kunso Kim, the Assistant Director of Collections, search for winter birds and animal tracks, see live birds of prey, discover your inner botanical artist, capture the winter landscape through photographs, and more. Find them all at The Morton Arboretum.

Plein Air Painting

Amy Wright, the Arboretum’s current visiting artist, has worked for more than 20 years as a freelance muralist and natural science  illustrator, working in oil, acrylic, watercolor and colored pencil. She specializes in combining animal and habitats in large scale realistic murals for science centers, museums, zoos and aquariums. Her most recent works may be see at the Boston Museum of Science, Buttonwood Park Zoo, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the New England Aquarium.

Lucky art students joined Amy the weekend of August 14-16 painting outdoors using the magnificent trees, gardens and sweeping vists of The Morton Arboretum. Classes were held at locations that are ideal for morning and afternoon light over the course of three days. Subject matter included lighted woodland paths, clower garden walkways, naturalized vistas and painted studies of large trees. Supported by instruction and demonatration, student explored value, color temperature, composition and nine ways to successfully show depth in a painting. Students were able to work in the medium of their choice.

If you have an interest in this kind of unique and very special opportunity, let us know! Contact our Education Department at The Thornhill Education Center. Learn more about our adult education and Botanical Art Programs.

Jacqueline Solfronk, PhD