October at Garvan Woodland Gardens Features Fall Festival, Photography Workshops

Garvan Woodland Gardens

A variety of textures and colors make up the fall foliage at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Garvan Woodland Gardens celebrates fall with classes in sustainable landscaping, fruit production, photography and more, with a Halloween-themed fall festival at the end of the month.

The "Mixing It Up" Art Exhibit on display in the Magnolia Room throughout the month of October will feature the work of three Hot Springs Village artists — Shelia Halderman, Marlene Gremillion and Linda Shearer.

The artists work in mediums including pastels, watercolor and Chinese brush painting to create landscapes, florals, still life compositions and contemporary images.

"Landscape for Life" is a five-session series scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to noon each Wednesday from Oct. 3-31 in the Magnolia Room and Millsap Bride's Hall. The series will teach participants to embrace sustainable practices while improving or developing a property. Participants will design their own projects with help from instructors. Local industry professionals will serve as guest speakers. More information can be found at landscapeforlife.org. 

The Tai Chi Series "Strength in Motion" will be held on Thursdays from Oct. 4 to Nov. 15 on the Great Lawn and Garvan Pavilion. The Beginner Short Staff class is from 1-2 p.m., and the Advanced Short Staff class is from 2-3 p.m. The Oaklawn Center on Aging will lead this ancient, low-impact practice that increases flexibility, balance and strength. Loose, comfortable clothing and comfortable footwear are recommended. 

"Beginning Digital Photography" will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 6 in the Magnolia Room, led by Eli Vega, award-winning photographer and author. The interactive class will teach participants the basics of digital photography, from shutter speeds to composition. Lunch from the Chipmunk Café is included.

A "Landscape Drawing Series" will continue from 9:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 11 and Nov. 10 in the Weyerhaeuser Bonsai Learning Center. Using the garden as inspiration, each student will produce an original nature still life drawing. Local artist Ginger Ladehoff will lead the classes. Participants are encouraged to bring their own pencils.

"Fruit Production in the Home Garden" will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 13 in the Magnolia Room. Elena Garcia, University of Arkansas horticulture professor, will discuss planting guidelines, cultivar selection and crop management.

The "Vinyasa Yoga Series" will continue from 2-3 p.m. Oct. 20 and Nov. 10 on the Great Lawn, led by Audra Ladehoff. Vinyasa yoga is a flowing practice linking breath to movement in a continuous sequence of poses. Many people feel stronger, more energized and grounded as they practice.

The fourth annual "Celebrate Fall!" event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 27 on the garden grounds. Activities include train rides, trick-or-treating and selecting a free pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, as long as supplies last. Children's activities will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and include face painting, spooky science experiments, wand making and pumpkin decorating. Bubba Brew's Beer Garden and food trucks will open at 11 a.m. Visitors are invited to wear costumes.

"Photographing Fall Color" will be held from 1-5 p.m. Oct. 28 in the Magnolia Room, led by local photographer Julia Mann. Intended for beginning and intermediate photographers, the class will explore what makes a pleasing image, touching on composition, point of view, framing, depth of field and color. The Garden of the Pine Wind, with its Japanese maples, will be the centerpiece of attention. Instruction will be focused on shooting with an interchangeable lens DSLR or mirrorless camera, but people with other cameras are welcome to attend. A tripod is useful but not required.

The 10-week series "Spanish Language for Beginners" continues from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays through Nov. 15 in the Magnolia Room. The program will feature keys to pronunciation, vocabulary and phrase building, verb conjugation, listening skills and cultural differences among Spanish-speaking countries. Textbooks and/or workbooks will be provided, and no previous experience is needed.

"Group Health Walks" will be held at 9 a.m. three days a week through Nov. 16. On Mondays, Sharon Turrentine will lead a three-mile walk in 52 minutes. On Wednesdays, Ginger Ladehoff will lead a two-plus-mile walk at a challenging pace. On Fridays, Dee Garrett will lead a two-plus-mile walk at a comfortable, conversational pace. Groups meet first in the Welcome Center, and pets and strollers are welcome.

Garvan Woodland Gardens is the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas and part of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. The garden is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12 and free for children ages 3 and younger. Some events and activities are free. Some require a fee, advanced registration or prepayment.

For more information about these events or to check on upcoming events, call 501-262-9300 or 800-366-4664.