Join us at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for a special First Friday celebrating our Art of Nature exhibition and the beauty of plants. This month’s event is Flora-themed, highlighting the incredible diversity of local plant life and the artists inspired by it. Meet Art of Nature artists, learn about their creative process,...
Join Art of Nature artist Avery Maltz for a hands-on workshop exploring botanical ink-making using locally sourced plants. In this small-group setting, you’ll learn how natural pigments are extracted and turned into usable inks. Avery will demonstrate the process step by step, showing how plant materials are simmered and transformed, and how factors like heat,...
Join Art of Nature exhibit artist Erin Ellis for an immersive botanical illustration workshop focused on the beauty and complexity of Hummingbird Sage. Found growing right outside the Museum, this fragrant native plant offers a perfect subject for slowing down and observing the intricate details of the natural world. REGISTER The workshop will begin with...
Celebrate the flower-filled month of April with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History and the Santa Cruz County chapter of the California Native Plant Society as we spotlight the science and beauty of local flora. Join graduate researcher Georgia Vasey for an engaging talk on the role of prescribed fire in restoring California’s coastal...
Celebrate First Friday this May with a special fauna-themed evening honoring our Art of Nature exhibit. Explore artwork inspired by the animals of our region, from coast to redwoods, and connect with local artists and community partners bringing these stories to life. Enjoy hands-on activities, live demonstrations, and fresh perspectives on the creatures that shape our...
Join local author-illustrator and Art of Nature artist Sophie Wood Brinker for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Birds of Santa Cruz. In this engaging talk, Wood Brinker will share her creative process for illustrating the 25 bird species featured in her book, from early field observations along the coast to the final hand-painted...
Join author Sophie Wood Brinker and Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History educator Jenny Rieke for an afternoon of birding and nature journaling at Neary Lagoon. We'll explore the lagoon's rich habitat together, then settle in to sketch and observe what we find. Art supplies are provided — no experience necessary. This event celebrates the...
