Cacti and Succulents Workshop - Wintergardens Sunday Art Sessions

Come join us at the Domain Wintergardens for a fun and creative Sunday art session! In this workshop, you will learn how to observe and draw cacti and succulents from the Wintergardens plant collections. Let your creativity flow as you connect with nature and fellow botanical art enthusiasts. Jennifer will guide you through this fun and explorative practice using nature journaling principles to observe and capture a plant subject. No experience necessary, just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to learn!

We will meet at the beautifully renovated Temperate House at the Auckland Wintergardens and then move to the Domain Nursery to observe specimens which have been curated for us by our expert team. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to go behind the scenes and create together. See you there!

Your workshop fee includes:

• Three hour botanical art workshop

• Morning tea and coffee

• All materials including paper, pencils, clipboard, watercolour pencils and brushes. You are welcome to bring your own materials

• A donation to Friends of the Domain for their generous support with plants and premises

Important to know:

Numbers for each workshop are strictly limited to 10 for maximum interaction. Please check your workshop date to avoid disappointment.

Cancellations: As we are unlikely to be able to fill a spot at short notice, cancellations within 48 hours of the event are non-refundable but replacement attendees will be accepted.

Accessibility: Please note that this series is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible in this instance, due to steep paths and stairs in the venue.

What are the Wintergardens Sunday Art Sessions? In 2024 Jennifer will be running a programme of small-group botanical art workshops at the Domain featuring varied and interesting subjects which highlight the amazing work and plant collection of the Wintergardens.

PROGRAMME - all bookable now

10 March - Bright tropical flowers

7 April - Spectacular leaves

5 May - Sweet pansies and violas

19 May -Stunning cyclamen

28 July - The winter vege garden

11 August -Luscious tulips

25 August - Elegant orchids

15 September - Daffodils and narcissi

20 October - Cacti and succulents

17 November - Amazing carnivorous plants

About your tutor:

Jennifer's mission is to reconnect people to nature and help them express their creativity in their own individual way. She is a botanical artist who has served as artist-in-residence at Auckland Botanic Gardens and teaches at Te Uru Contemporary Gallery. She has exhibited internationally and was selected to represent New Zealand as part of the Botanical Art Worldwide Exhibition. You can see more at www.jenniferduval-smith.com

Student Feedback on Jennifer's previous botanical art classes:

"Warm and inviting, Jennifer has a way of getting us started drawing no matter how much experience with drawing we have"

"Fun, informative, great teaching style"

"Absolutely amazing information and I would most certainly attend future classes"

"Well run, organised and all abilities made to feel welcome"

"Had fun doing something I had never done before - really fun!

"It was so nice to be amongst others who appreciate nature and all of it's beauty"

“Today was both a treat and a real privilege! Thank you for your time and expertise… I learnt a great deal. The pace was perfect and I loved the sensory extension…”

"Jennifer was awesome, took us through step by step, especially about the observation aspect and construction of the subject, I would go to her classes again.”

"This class will change how I approach drawing, for the better"

" I discovered that I really enjoyed the act of focused observation… I know that attempting to draw something will make me much better acquainted with my subject’s characteristics. The… guide was excellent and I will use that going forward - especially useful for me when trying to articulate what makes a plant different from a somewhat similar variety.

·“I liked the way (Jennifer) got people involved and went around encouraging people

Host or Publisher The Friends of Auckland Botanic Gardens