May at Garvan Gardens Features Mother's Day Concert, Bonsai Workshops, Winemaking Class

Garvan Woodland Gardens

Azaleas bloom near stones steps at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Garvan Woodland Gardens celebrates warm weather with a selection of classes, concerts and activities for children and adults.

Paintings by Judy Ladd will be on display from May 1-31 in the Magnolia Room. She works in oils, watercolors and acrylics, exploring subject matter ranging from abandoned desert buildings to underwater sites. Local subject matter includes interesting sites, pets and buildings.

"Landscape for Life" is a five-session series that will be held from 1-3 p.m. each Wednesday from May 1-29 in the Magnolia Room and Millsap Bride's Hall. The series will encourage 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. 

"Bonsai for Beginners: Nursery Stock to Pot" will be held from 10 a.m. to noon May 4 in the Magnolia Room. Bryan Carlan, Garvan Gardens horticulturist, will discuss plant selection, container and materials sources, and techniques for producing a specimen that endures. Each participant will produce a potted bonsai-style tree.

The "Botanical Illustration Series" will continue from 2-4 p.m. May 4 in the Magnolia Room. The topic is Hydrangea macrophylla (bigleaf hydrangea). Ginger Ladehoff, a local artist, will instruct students in drawing techniques, and Rush Fentress, Garvan Gardens biologist, will discuss the botany behind the subject matter. All materials will be provided, but students may bring their own pencils if desired.

"Introduction to Winemaking" will be held from 10 a.m. to noon May 11 in the Magnolia Room. Nolen Buffalo, with The Water Buffalo Brewing and Gardening Supply, will make wine using locally sourced fresh fruit. He will discuss the various ingredients and techniques used by winemakers locally and around the world.

The 12th annual "Mother's Day Bell Choir Concert" will take place at 3 p.m. May 12 in Anthony Chapel. The Ringers of Hope bell choir from Ouachita Hills Academy will perform. The concert will conclude the group's 18th touring season and will include a special section of stories and music geared toward children.

"Homeschool Focus" classes will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon May 15 and 29. Students will meet in the Weyerhaeuser Bonsai Learning Center and move to the Bob and Sunny Evans Tree House in the Evans Children's Adventure Garden. The topics are "Pollinators and Plant Reproduction" on May 15 and "Macroinvertebrate Stream Study" on May 29. Each class is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and provides children with a hands-on project to help solidify their learning. Lessons are geared toward children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

"Bonsai Series: Spring/Summer Care and Maintenance" will be held from 10-11 a.m. May 16 in the Weyerhaeuser Bonsai Learning Center. Bryan Carlan will present a review of seasonal care, tips and techniques for budding bonsai gardeners.

The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design will present Design Camp the week of June 24-28. Registration for the camp continues through May 24, at a cost of $275 for Garvan Gardens members or $375 for the general public. Need-based full and partial scholarships are available. The camp is open to students going into ninth through 12th grades this fall. Design Camp offers students the opportunity to learn through hands-on projects, tours, presentations and discussions led by architecture, landscape architecture and interior design faculty of the Fay Jones School. For more information, visit the Fay Jones School website, or contact Ansley Higinbothom at higinbot@uark.edu or 479-575-4907.

"Spanish Language 102: 12 Weeks" will continue from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays through May 28 in the Magnolia Room. The program picks up where the fall introductory class left off, covering chapters 7-14 of Exploraciones by Mary Ann Blitt and Margarita Casas. The curriculum features keys to pronunciation, vocabulary and phrase building, verb conjugation, listening skills and cultural differences among Spanish-speaking countries.

"Group Health Walks" will continue at 9 a.m. three days a week through May 31. On Mondays, Sharon Turrentine will lead a three-mile walk in 52 minutes. On Wednesdays, Ginger Ladehoff and Dee Garrett will lead a two-plus-mile "Halfway Hike." On Fridays, Rush Fentress will lead a two-plus-mile walk called "The Weekender." Walks will be held rain or shine. Participants should meet in the Welcome Center, and pets and strollers are welcome.

The Tai Chi Series "Strength in Motion" features three classes this spring. "Qigong Tai Chi" meets from 1-2 p.m. Wednesdays through June 26. "Beginner Short Staff" meets from 1-2 p.m. Thursdays through June 27, and "Advanced Short Staff" meets from 2-3 p.m. Thursdays through June 27. The Oaklawn Center on Aging leads this ancient, low-impact practice that increases flexibility, balance and strength. Loose, comfortable clothing and comfortable footwear are recommended. Classes meet on the Great Lawn or near Garvan Pavilion.

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.