Butterflies of the Desert Southwest - Plant Pollinators
Learn to illustrate spectacular butterflies native to the Sonoran Desert. This class will teach you how to accurately illustrate a number of butterfly species by understanding their anatomy. You will learn to capture proportions, wing venation and beautiful patterning by observing real butterflies. This class will also teach you how to recognize butterfly species and their native food plants. Instructed by Lynn Reeves Limit 15.

Wednesdays / October 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18 / 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Member: $215 / General Public: $270

Wildflowers of the Desert
Learn the basics of botanical painting using the beautiful wildflowers of the Sonoran Desert as subjects. Students will be introduced to drawing skills, parts of the plants and watercolor techniques that will precisely define the flowers. All skill levels are welcome. Insturucted by Elaine Hultgren. Limit 15.

Wednesdays / October 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18 / 6 - 9 p.m.
Member: $215 / General Public: $270

Beginning Botanical Drawing
This is a foundation class that introduces students to the basics of drawing. Students will learn the vocabulary of drawing, develop observation skills, complete a sequence of exercises using graphite as the primary medium, and will be introduced to the technical properties of drawing materials. This class will get you past staring at that blank sheet of paper to start drawing. Instructed by Jim Astholz Limit 15.

Fridays / October 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20 / 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Member: $215 / General Public: $270

Prickly Pear - from Bud to Bloom
Learn the fundamentals of  using colored pencils while creating a beautiful artwork that portrays the prickly pear plant in its various flowering and fruit stages. Colored pencils are an excellent material for botanical art as they are neat, easy to control and useful for fine detail. Students will learn about the variety of pencils available and basic techniques. Instructed by Elliot Everson. Limit 15.

Saturdays / October 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21 / 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Member: $215 / General Public: $270

Highway Hotshop Classes and Demonstration The Desert Botanical Garden is bringing back glass art with local artist/instructors Josh Dopp and Adam Frus and their mobile studio Highway Hotshop. A wide variety of classes and demonstrations will be offered from February 15-19 in the beautiful outdoor setting of the Binns Wildflower Pavilion. Public Glass Blowing Demonstrations Watch Adam and Josh create fantastic works of art before your eyes while you browse items available for purchase. Monday - Wednesday / February 15- 17 / 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Friday / February 19 / 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Free Introduction to Glass Working These three-person, experience based classes will offer each participant 25 minutes of bench time to complete one or more projects chosen from the following list: flowers, ornaments, marbles, decorative squiggles and paperweights. The remainder of the time will be spent helping the other students complete their pieces. Materials and color will be provided and are included in the price of the class. Completed projects will be available for pick-up the following day. Limit three students per session. Monday, Tuesday OR Wednesday / February 15, 16 OR 17 / 2 - 3:30 p.m. OR 3:30 - 5 p.m. OR 6 - 7:30 p.m. OR 7:30 - 9 p.m. Price is for one session only. Member: $70 / General Public: $85 Monday, February 15 Please call 480-481-8146 to register for sessions. 3:30 p.m. session is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list. 6 p.m. session is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list. Tuesday, February 16 Please call 480-481-8146 to register for sessions. 6 p.m. session is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list. Wednesday, February 17 Please call 480-481-8146 to register for sessions. 6 p.m. session is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list. Beginning Glass Blowing These three-person classes are designed to allow participants to create one or more projects from a listing of more elaborate blown vessels including: drinking cups, flower vases, cacti and bowls. Each participant will be allotted 50 minutes to complete a project. The remainder of the time will be spent helping the other students complete their pieces. Materials and color will be provided and are included in the price of the class. Completed projects will be available for pick up the following day. Limit three students per session. Thursday / February 18 / 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. OR 1 - 4 p.m. OR 6 - 9 p.m. Friday / February 19 / 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Member: $180 / General Public: $215 Thursday, February 18 9 a.m. session is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list. 1 p.m. session is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list. 6 p.m. session is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list. Friday, February 19 1 p.m. session is FULL. Please call 480-481-8146 for wait list. Highway Hotshop Diner Catch the hottest show in town when Adam and Josh put on a fantastic glassblowing show. This interactive demonstration will answer your “how’d they do that?” questions. This dinner theater-like evening will include a fantastic catered meal and drinks themed as TVs favorite diner, Mel’s. Limit 30. Friday / February 19 / 6 - 9 p.m. Member: $90 / General Public: $110 Click here to register for February 19 Diner.

Be inspired by the natural beauty of your surroundings and experience botanical arts at the Desert Botanical Garden. These popular offerings are suitable to a variety of interests and abilities, and all are welcome. The courses are taught by talented, experienced instructors and are limited to 15 students to ensure a personalized and encouraging atmosphere. Materials lists are provided following registration.

A Botanical Art Sampler for Beginners
Have you ever wanted to dabble in botanical art but been unsure if it is for you? Here is your chance to try four different mediums: graphite, colored pencil, watercolor, and pen and ink techniques used in traditional botanical illustration. Open the door to the beautiful world of botanical art by rendering a plant in all four mediums. Instructed by Elaine Hultgren. Limit 15.

Thursdays / January 7, 14, 21, 28 / 6 - 9 p.m.
Member: $170 / General Public: $205

Click here to register on-line for January 7 class.

Colored Pencil - an Overview
Colored pencils are an excellent material for botanical (and other) art because they are neat, easy to control, useful for fine detail and portable. Beginning students will learn about the variety of pencils available and basic techniques. A series of color charts and a simple botanical subject will be completed. More experienced students will build on these skills and learn new techniques to convey plant texture, color variation and fine detail. Several botanical subjects, including flowers, leaves, stems or succulents, will be drawn from actual plants. Instructed by Elliot Everson. Limit 15.

Wednesdays / Jaunuary 13, 20, 27 / 6 - 9 p.m.
Member: $130 / General Public: $160

Click here to register on-line for January 13 class.

The Art of Agave and Yucca
This class focuses on outdoor sketching and classroom creation of your own plant portrait using the Garden’s new Berlin Agave Yucca Forest for inspiration. Be as creative or detailed as you choose, while guided through field drawing and observational note taking, as you transform your sketches into works of art. Ideal for watercolor, colored pencil or mixed media. All levels and styles, from traditional to abstract, are welcome. Instructed by Lynn Reves. Limit 15.

Fridays / January 22, 29, February 5 / 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Member: $130 / General Public: $160

Click here to register on-line for January 22 class.

Colored Pencil: New Options
Experiment with colored pencil on alternative surfaces such as black or colored papers, mylar, wood or stone. Use color pencil techniques, including blending and layering colors, burnishing and using colorless blenders to create natural plant textures, color and detail on unique surfaces. Subjects could include nightblooming flowers on black paper, a plant sprouting from a crack in a rock done on stone, or dry leaves and stems on wood. Instructed by Elliot Everson. Limit 15.

Thursdays / February 4, 11, 18, 25 / 6 - 9 p.m.
Member: $170 / General Public: $205

Click here to register on-line for February 4 class.

Small Plant Portraits in Watercolor and Colored Pencil
Take a guided tour with step by step instructions on how to combine the translucence of watercolor with the detail and texture possibilities of colored pencils and learn a bit of botany and botanical history along the way. Plant subjects will be available in class or bring one or two of your favorites from home. Portraits will be small in order to do several during our class time together. Instructed by Elaine Hultgren. Limit 15.

Saturdays / February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 6 / 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Member: $200 / General Public: $240

Click here to register on-line for February 6 class.

The Art of Hummingbirds
A favorite of many home gardeners and outdoors lovers, hummingbirds are important plant pollinators. Take a closer look at our resident hummingbirds, their favorite nectar plants, and learn how to paint their beautiful iridescent feathers. Students will learn techniques to create accurate color markings and proportions of hummingbirds and proper placement in botanical illustrations. Students will work in pencil and watercolor. All levels welcome. Instructed by Lynn Reves. Limit 15.

Fridays / February 19, 26, March 5, 12 / 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Member: $170 / General Public: $205

Click here to register on-line for February 19 class.

Open Art Studio
Join fellow artists of all skills in our new guided open art studio at the Garden. Each Monday night session will be staffed with one of our top notch art instructors to provide you with feedback, guidance and encouragement as you pursue your artistic endeavors. Limited equipment, such as lights and lenses, will be available. Price is for one session only. Limit 15.

Mondays / January 18, 25, February 1, 8, 15, 22 / 6 - 9 p.m.
Member: $20 per session / General Public: $25 per session

Click here to register on-line for January 18 class
Click here to register on-line for January 25 class
Click here to register on-line for February 1 class
Click here to register on-line for February 8 class
Click here to register on-line for February 15 class
Click here to register on-line for February 22 class