This Week at Phipps: Oct. 10 - 16

By Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

There's always something new to see and do at Phipps! This weekly blog post provides a run-down of the latest happenings so you can plan your visit. Events listed below require no advance registration unless noted otherwise. 

Open Daily: 

• Fall Flower Show: Blooms Under the Big Top 
  Phipps’ Fall Flower Show: Blooms Under the Big Top will take you on a whirlwind tour of stunning circus- and carnival-inspired botanical displays.
• Garden Railroad: Our National Parks
  Garden Railroad: Our National Parks pulls into the station with miniature recreations of the beautiful National Parks of the United States, bustling with chugging trains and filled with live plants.
• Ikebana International Exhibit 
  Ikebana International Exhibit showcases the Japanese art of flower arrangement; with arrangements from the five schools of Ikebana.
• Tropical Forest Hawai‘i: Aloha ‘Aina
  Tropical Forest Hawai‘i: Aloha ‘Aina invites guests to take an exciting, immersive journey through the rich history, nature and culture of the Hawaiian archipelago. 
• Planets Earth Virtual Exhibit
  A dynamic exhibit at the Center for Sustainable Landscapes (and now online) addresses the pressing environmental issues of our time and proposes a new way of thinking about how to solve them.

Mon., Oct. 10:

• Baking with Herbs: No Yeast Breads | 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  Dina will create herb infused soda breads, one with herbs and cheese, one with currants and chai spices. To top it off we’ll make herb infused butter and herbal tea.

Tues., Oct. 11:

• Pen and Ink II | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  Pen and Ink II students will have improved stroke making and wash skills with the introduction of color through various tools and inks.
• Pasta from Scratch: Beginner | 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  Join Chef Rachel Homan to master the craft of making fresh pasta from scratch. In the beginner course we'll start with a classic spaghetti noodle and fresh tomato sauce.
• Soil Ecology | 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  Through both lecture and an hands on lab experience, students will learn about the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils and best management practices for maintaining a healthy soil.

Wed., Oct. 12:

• ​In-Person Story Time | 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
  Kids will love visiting Phipps to listen to our storyteller weave tales about gardens, fruits, vegetables, animals and other fun topics. Attend weekly sessions with a special child in your life!
• Landscape Design III: Design Development | 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  Utilizing skills learned in Landscape Design I and Landscape Design II, the student will work through design development to create a master plan.

Thurs., Oct. 13:

• Autumn Gourds in Watercolor Using Masking Fluid | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  In this 3-session class learn how to use masking fluid while painting colorful fall gourds in watercolor.
• Sustainable Gardening for Western PA | 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  Native plants are essential to a thriving backyard ecosystem – join us to learn more about what makes a plant “native” to western Pa. and how they support birds and butterflies.
• Soil Ecology | 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  Through both lecture and an hands on lab experience, students will learn about the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils and best management practices for maintaining a healthy soil.

Sat., Oct. 15:

• Botanical Drawing II | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  Continue to develop your observation and drawing skills to accurately render leaves, stems, roots and flowers in varying positions, capturing details and textures unique to the botanical subject.
• Soil Ecology | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  Through both lecture and an hands on lab experience, students will learn about the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils and best management practices for maintaining a healthy soil.
• Introduction to Printmaking with Botanical Imagery | 2 p.m. – 5p.m.
  This course will take you through the multi-step process of creating a design, carving a plate and printing your design using the linoleum block method of printmaking.

Photo ©  Phil Johnson II