Make your own gourd clock
Using a flat section of gourd, you'll create your own design and add the clock mechanism. All materials included except for clock batteries. Bring an apron or old clothes as the color products may stain. Join terri schmit - "the gourd girl" and founder of the Wisconsin Gourd Society for this hands-on fun!

Sunday, June 7, 9 am-1 pm
Registration Deadline: May 28
Cost: $38/$30 member | Course Number: 20-27

SUMMER ARTS FOR ALL!
Co-Sponsored by VSA Arts of Wisconsin

Allow the beauty of the gardens to awaken your senses and inspire your creativity! Each week we will tour flowers in bloom and have fun with various art materials and techniques. This three-week adaptive art class is open to all abilities and is taught by VSA Teaching Artist Suzanne DuChateau. Participants must bring an assistant if support is needed for ambulation or fine motor activities. Space is limited -- register early! Ages 16 and up.

REGISTER THROUGH VSA ARTS OF WISCONSIN

Tuesdays, June 16, 23 & 30, 5:30 - 7 pm

Registration Deadline: May 20
Cost: $39 per person

Contact: Julie Shannon, Program Director, at 608-241-7583

MOSAIC GARDEN STEPPING STONE

CLASS FILLED
Join mosaic artist Megan Cain and create a beautiful garden stepping stone. Learn the basic techniques for creating custom, decorative mosaic stepping stones using glass or tile pieces. You will complete one stone in this one-session course, plus learn the skills to create more on your own.

Monday, July 20, 6:30-9 pm

Registration Deadline: July 13
Cost: $38/$30 member| Course Number: 21-08

FIVE-BOARD PRIMITIVE BENCH
Join rustic artist Dan Soman and make your own primitive five-board bench. Use it for garden or home seating, displaying potted plants, or as a coffee table. Learn the basic techniques for creating custom primitive benches using wood, paint, and wood distressing techniques. Dan will provide wood boards, tools, paint, and instructions needed to create a bench that is no more than 36 inches long. Bring your own hammer and small handsaw, if available. Please make arrangements for a vehicle large enough to transport your bench.

Sunday, July 26, 12:30-4:30 pm

Registration Deadline: July 20
Cost: $55/$44 member| Course Number: 21-01

HERB HARVESt

Herbs can be enjoyed during every season when you preserve your herbal harvest. Join Lauri Lee of Herb Matters for a hands-on workshop to learn how to make items for your herbal pantry that you get to take home. We will use fresh herbs to make herb vinegar, pesto, and herb butters. You will also learn how to harvest and dry herbs that you will use to create specialty culinary and tea herb blends. Tasting, recipes, fresh, and dried herbs, handouts, and bottles and jars are provided.

Thursday, August 13, 6-8:30 pm

Registration Deadline: August 6
Cost: $35/$28 member| Course Number: 21-03

sAND-CAST LEAF BIRDBATH
Join Schonheit Gardens' Nursery Manager Jane Gahlman and use large leaves like hosta and burdock to create a sand-cast birdbath. Your finished birdbath will be leaf-shaped, complete with veins and color accents. This class is divided into two sessions to allow concrete drying time. Dress to get dirty.

Tuesday & Thursday, August 18 & 20, 6:30-8:30 pm

Registration Deadline: August 11
Cost: $50/$40 member| Course Number: 21-02

little sprouts gardening
Summer is just around the corner and that means it's time for little sprouts to learn the basics of gardening! Join Olbrich for down-in-the-dirt fun as we work with real tools, prepare a garden bed, and plant some seeds to take home. Come prepared to get messy! Ages 2-5. Class will be cancelled in inclement weather.

Tuesday, June 2, 10-11 am   CLASS FILLED

Registration Deadline: May 26
Cost: $4 member/$5 public | Course Number: 50-10

Thursday, June 4, 10-11 am   CLASS FILLED

Registration Deadline: May 28
Cost: $4 member/$5 public | Course Number: 50-11

Saturday, June 6, 10-11 am   CLASS FILLED

Registration Deadline: May 28
Cost: $4 member/$5 public | Course Number: 50-12

Tuesday, June 9, 10-11 am   CLASS FILLED

Registration Deadline: June 2
Cost: $4 member/$5 public | Course Number: 50-13

SUMMER ARTS FOR ALL!
Co-Sponsored by VSA Arts of Wisconsin

Allow the beauty of the gardens to awaken your senses and inspire your creativity! Each week we will tour flowers in bloom and have fun with a variety of art materials and techniques. Join us for this three-week adaptive art class that grows your nature appreciation and lets your creativity flourish! This class is open to all abilities and is taught by VSA Teaching Artist Tiffany Stein. Participants must bring an assistant if support is needed for ambulation or fine motor activities. Space is limited -- register early! Ages 10-15.

REGISTER THROUGH VSA ARTS OF WISCONSIN

Tuesdays, June 16, 23 & 30, 1:30-3 pm

Registration Deadline: May 20
Cost: $39 per person

Contact: Julie Shannon, Program Director, at 608-241-7583

GARDENS AFTER DARK

Do gardens ever go to bed? What happens in the garden after the sun sets? Take a walk through the Gardens to discover blooming plants, fireflies, bats, and other creatures of the night. Plant a "moon garden" of plants that bloom after dark to take home. Ages 6-9.

Sunday, June 28, 7-8:15 pm

Registration Deadline: June 18
Cost: $12/$10 per child member | Course Number: 61-02

PLANT A PIZZA

Have you ever grown a pizza? Join us in the Children's Garden to learn about the herbs, fruits, and vegetables used to make pizzas and then plant pizza ingredients in a container garden to take home. Ages 6-9.

Sunday, July 5, 1-2 pm

Registration Deadline: June 25
Cost: $12/$10 per child member | Course Number: 61-07

butterfly story & Art adventure
Join us weekly for a series of story and art adventures. During each session, we will read a book about butterflies and insects, then create art to take home. Held in conjunction with Olbrich's Blooming Butterflies. Register for one session or the series. Ages 4-8.

Thursday, July 16, 1-2 pm

Registration Deadline: July 9
Cost: $10/$8 per child member | Course Number: 70-05

Thursday, July 23, 1-2 pm

Registration Deadline: July 16
Cost: $10/$8 per child member | Course Number: 70-06

Thursday, July 30, 1-2 pm  

Registration Deadline: July 23
Cost: $10/$8 per child member | Course Number: 70-07

Thursday, August 6, 1-2 pm  

Registration Deadline: July 30
Cost: $10/$8 per child member | Course Number: 70-08

butterflies & blooms
Discover and learn about the butterflies and bugs that live in the Gardens and the beautiful flowers and plants that they are attracted to. We will explore the Gardens and then plant flower seeds in a container garden to take home. Ages 6-9.

Friday, July 17, 10-11 am

Registration Deadline: July 9
Cost: $10/$8 per child member | Course Number: 70-01

Friday, July 24, 1-2 pm

Registration Deadline: July 16
Cost: $10/$8 per child member | Course Number: 70-02

Friday, July 31, 1-2 pm  

Registration Deadline: July 23
Cost: $10/$8 per child member | Course Number: 70-03

Friday, August 7, 10-11 am  

Registration Deadline: July 30
Cost: $10/$8 per child member | Course Number: 70-04

toddler story & stroll
Join us weekly for a morning or afternoon series of stories and walks through the Gardens. During each session, we will read a book about insects or plants, then experience the Gardens through our senses. Held in conjunction with Olbrich's Blooming Butterflies. Register for one session or a series; morning and afternoon programs are the same in one day. Ages 1-4.

Mornings:

Tuesday, July 21, 10-11 am

Registration Deadline: July 14
Cost: $4/$3 per child member | Course Number: 51-02

Tuesday, July 28, 10-11 am

Registration Deadline: July 21
Cost: $4/$3 per child member | Course Number: 51-03

Tuesday, August 4, 10-11 am

Registration Deadline: July 28
Cost: $4/$3 per child member | Course Number: 51-04

Afternoons:

Tuesday, July 21, 1-2 pm

Registration Deadline: July 14
Cost: $4/$3 per child member | Course Number: 51-05

Tuesday, July 28, 1-2 pm

Registration Deadline: July 21
Cost: $4/$3 per child member | Course Number: 51-06

Tuesday, August 4, 1-2 pm

Registration Deadline: July 28
Cost: $4/$3 per child member | Course Number: 51-07

breakfast for the butterflies
Come to this special behind-the-scenes class and help Olbrich get ready for a busy day of Olbrich's Blooming Butterflies. Work side-by-side with the staff as you feed the butterflies, birds, and fish in the Bolz Conservatory and learn about where the butterflies come from and how the chrysalis cases are set up. Ages 8-12.

Wednesday, July 22, 8:30-9:30 am

Registration Deadline: July 15
Cost: $8/$7 per child member | Course Number: 70-40

Wednesday, July 29, 8:30-9:30 am

Registration Deadline: July 22
Cost: $8/$7 per child member | Course Number: 70-41

Wednesday, August 5, 8:30-9:30 am

Registration Deadline: July 29
Cost: $8/$7 per child member | Course Number: 70-42

Garden Walks                                                           back to top

Join Olbrich staff for fun and informative garden walks. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Walks are rain or shine, and will be cancelled only in the event of dangerous lightening. All walks meet in the main lobby.

edibles & ice cream
Enjoy creamy bliss as you discover edibles in the Gardens. Tour the Children's Garden (an organic vegetable garden) and Herb Garden with Olbrich Horticulturist Samantha Peckham. Learn about various vegetables and herbs, and how they are grown. Samantha will discuss layouts best suited to vegetables and design elements in the Herb Garden.

Tuesday, July 28, 5:30-7 pm
Registration Deadline: July 21
Cost: $10/$8 member | Course Number: 31-01

Tuesday, August 11, 5:30-7 pm

Registration Deadline:  August 4

Cost:  $10/$8 member | Course Number: 31-02

family walks:  Flashlights & Fireflies
Bring your flashlight along as we dance with fireflies and explore the Gardens by moonlight. We will visit the Thai Pavilion and Rose Garden, Olbrich's two lighted gardens, and then head to darker places to look for nighttime creatures. Limit one session per family. An adult caregiver is required with each child; adult attends free. Ages 5-8.

Thursday, June 25, 8-9 pm   CLASS FILLED
Registration Deadline: June 18
Cost: $4/$3 per child member | Course Number: 31-21

Thursday, August 27, 8-9 pm   CLASS FILLED
Registration Deadline: August 20
Cost: $4/$3 per child member | Course Number: 31-22

Meditation in the Gardens
Join Kevin Walsh, MM, RN, Certified Heart Rhythm Meditation Teacher, and Jody Curley, MA, Certified Heart Rhythm Meditation Instructor and Tai Chi Chuan Teacher, for a unique combination of Tai Chi and Heart Rhythm Meditation. Together, these two practices help to decrease reactivity to stress, enhance mental focus and clarity, and expand the sense of well-being. Held outdoors, unless inclement weather.

Meditation in the Gardens Information (PDF)

Mondays, 6-7:30 pm - June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and July 13, 20, 27

Registration Deadline:  May 25

Cost:  $80 per person | Course Number: 21-34

Gentle Yoga & mindfulness photography
Gentle yoga and mindfulness photography are explored on the first Tuesday evening of each summer month. Introductory instruction is provided with an opportunity to practice both. Beginners are warmly welcome! Bring your own yoga mat and any film or digital camera. Register for one session or more. Part of each session held outdoors, unless inclement weather.

Tuesday, June 2, 6-8 pm   CLASS CANCELLED
Registration Deadline: May 26
Cost: $30/$25 member | Course Number: 21-52

Tuesday, July 7, 6-8 pm
Registration Deadline: June 30
Cost: $30/$25 member | Course Number: 21-53

Tuesday, August 4, 6-8 pm
Registration Deadline: July 28
Cost: $30/$25 member | Course Number: 21-54

Yoga
This is a participative experiential class for gardeners, nature enthusiasts, and yoga students. Held outdoors when weather permits. Comfortable, loose fitting clothing and a portable mat are recommended; feel free to bring a water bottle. Instructor, Jonathan A. Garber RMT, is a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher. Check with the instructor concerning holiday weeks. Meet in the Rose Garden; inclement weather, meet in the Lobby.

ON-GOING
Mondays, 5:30-6:45 pm, Check with instructors concerning holiday weeks.
Thursdays, 7:30-8:45 am, Check with instructors concerning holiday weeks.
Registration: Walk In
Cost: $12/session or 9 sessions for $80