Get to know Santa Cruz’s WILD SIDE at the Museum of Natural History. Nerd out on your night out during monthly after-hours events, featuring rotating themes, vendors, and activities. Free admission to the Museum all day 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with special indoor festivities 5 to 8 p.m. Join us for Genomic June! The Museum is...
Explore the tiny side of Tyrrell Park and learn to paint in oils! In celebration of Spring, learn how to capture the beauty of nature’s miniature marvels using oil paints. From pint-sized pollinators to delicate florals, this workshop will train your eye to find, and appreciate, the artful beauty hidden under your nose. This open-air...
Join the Museum for a very special community gardening day, as we team up with the Santa Cruz County Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology! Dig in and flex your green thumb as we tackle invasive species in Pilkington Creek and plant native species in the Museum’s Garden Learning Center. Learn from horticultural experts...
Join over 40 local Santa Cruz artists as they showcase their craftsmanship! We will be featuring a wide array of goods, ranging from paintings and photography to jewelry, decor, and embroidery. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to support our community’s artisans, celebrate local talent, and grab a gift just in time for Mother’s...
As part of this Art of Nature exhibit special, join an esteemed artist as you learn the science and art behind the most adorable sea slugs around! Featuring beautiful scientific illustration displays from the exhibit, this program is perfect for aspiring artists and marine biologists alike. Taught by a professional illustrator and exhibitor, this workshop will...
Go green this Earth Day by creating a work of art from upcycled beach glass! As part of this special seasonal offering, discover the beauty of beachcombing as you create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece made from shoreline treasures. Using local and sustainably-sourced resources, participants will learn the basics of environmental sculpture and design with step-by-step instruction....
As part of this Art of Nature special, learn from one of the featured exhibitors on how to capture the intricate beauty of birds. Spotlighting local Santa Cruz species as models, participants will learn how to paint the nuanced features of these stunning seasonal subjects. In addition to learning the painting techniques, participants will also...
Learn to appreciate the diverse bird populations of Santa Cruz through a camera lens. Level-up your birding by applying photography tips, tricks, and techniques to capture these animals in action. Guided by an expert nature photographer, this open-air workshop will lead you on a nature walk to find inspiration from native fauna for your photography....
Looking for a GNEISS way to spend your weekend? Well, you won't want to take this special event for GRANITE! Celebrate Earth Day with a rockin' afternoon at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Join geologists from University of California, Santa Cruz to share your mineralogical marvels and get them identified inside the Museum's galleries. ...
As part of this Springtime special, get up close and personal with the art of butterflies! Featuring beautiful insect displays, from the rarely seen insect taxidermy collection, this program is perfect for aspiring artists and entomologists alike. Taught by a professional entomological illustrator, this workshop will begin with a scientific presentation on insects before transitioning...
Love nature, science, and art but don’t know where to start? Here is your opportunity to master a new skill and bring home your own environmentally-inspired masterpiece after just one class. Learn the basics of watercolor and gouache with step-by-step instruction by a master scientific illustrator. After a nature walk to gain knowledge of local...
Get to know Santa Cruz’s WILD SIDE at the Museum of Natural History! Nerd out on your night out during monthly after-hours events, featuring rotating themes, vendors, and activities. FREE admission to the Museum all day 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with special festivities from 5 – 8 p.m. Just like mixing a palette, we...
Let’s get festive with native flowers, succulents, and air plants! Celebrate Springtime and the wonder of wildflowers by crafting a living botanical wreath. This course will satisfy both plant and art lovers alike; learn the science of epiphytes while you design and mount native flowers, succulents, and air plants. Create a masterpiece for your seasonal decor or a treasured...
Santa Cruz has been an outdoor painting hotspot since the 1890’s, well-known across the nation as a destination for exploring art while surrounded by nature. In fact, the Seabright Community in particular has been an artistic hub for plein air painters for over a hundred years and continues to have a robust presence even today....
