This Week at Phipps: Sept. 2 – 8

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: 

• NOW OPEN: Summer Flower Show: Under the Sea
  Starting Sat., May 4, dive into the magical underworld of the ocean with whimsical displays of an array of sea creatures, unique plant foliage and fantastic flora.
• Sea Creature Creations: A Youth Art Exhibit
  In this annual exhibit in our Welcome Center, view sea creature creations from The Fairchild Challenge student participants.
• Highlands Flora Project: Fraged Plants of Southwestern Pennsylvania 
  Now open in Phipps' Garden Center, plant lovers of all ages can enjoy stunning illustrations of foraged plants commonly found in southwestern Pennsylvania. Foraged Plants of Southwestern Pennsylvania is part of the Flora Project, a collaboration between Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ Botanical Art and Illustration Program and the Allegheny Highlands Botanical Art Society.
• Youth Climate Advocacy Committee Sustainable Art and Fashion Gallery
  Now open in the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, view the handcrafted sustainable pieces crafted by Phipps’ YCAC members, who are passionate about sharing eco-friendly fashion and art habits and while encouraging youth to implement this in their own creative works.
• 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.

Wed., Sept. 4: 

• 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.
• Eat Your Landscape: Designing Good-looking Landscapes that Give You Food | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
  In this class Chris Kosin from GaiaScape will explain how to incorporate edible trees, shrubs, perennials and veggies into your yard without making it an eyesore. Learn how to make your garden not just beautiful with year round interest but also a source of homegrown food. Whether you're improving your current garden or planning a new one, this class will show you how to add good-looking edible plants without upsetting your HOA. 

Thurs., Sept. 5:

• Field Botany | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  Hone your skills and gain experience in identifying plants using a dichotomous key. In addition to spending time in the field, take part in a classroom lecture that will familiarize you with botanical Latin, floral structures, family characteristics and plant communities to aid in the process of plant identification.

Fri., Sept. 6:

• Botanical Boutique | 1 – 7 p.m.
  Phipps Garden Center transforms into a Botanical Boutique during the annual A Fair in the Park, hosted by the Craftsman Guild of Pittsburgh. Located right in Mellon Park, explore A Fair in the Park's beautiful array of artwork and make your way to Phipps' Garden Center to see a collection of local vendors and their amazing work! Guests can look forward to vendors selling houseplants, flowers, botanical illustrations, snacks, candles and so much more.

Sat., Sept. 7:

• Botanical Boutique | 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Phipps Garden Center transforms into a Botanical Boutique during the annual A Fair in the Park, hosted by the Craftsman Guild of Pittsburgh. Located right in Mellon Park, explore A Fair in the Park's beautiful array of artwork and make your way to Phipps' Garden Center to see a collection of local vendors and their amazing work! Guests can look forward to vendors selling houseplants, flowers, botanical illustrations, snacks, candles and so much more.

Sun., Sept. 8:

• Watercolor Drybrush/Limning Techniques | 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  Limning, a traditional painting method dating back to the Renaissance, has been used by botanical artists and illustrators for centuries and is still favored by those who need to portray their subjects with great precision. For this technique, tiny brushstrokes are used to build up a highly detailed image. Receive online step-by-step instruction on this watercolor technique and practice it using high-quality photos of plants and flowers that you select as references.
• Botanical Boutique | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  Phipps Garden Center transforms into a Botanical Boutique during the annual A Fair in the Park, hosted by the Craftsman Guild of Pittsburgh. Located right in Mellon Park, explore A Fair in the Park's beautiful array of artwork and make your way to Phipps' Garden Center to see a collection of local vendors and their amazing work! Guests can look forward to vendors selling houseplants, flowers, botanical illustrations, snacks, candles and so much more.

 

Photos © Paul Vladuchick