Nature Writing Classes & Floral Workshops
Classes to Celebrate Our Connection to Nature
Riverside Botanicals is a local floral studio in Madison that also offers creative, hands-on classes, connecting nature writing with botanical design. We believe our writing and floral designs are gifts that can nurture our own well-being or be shared with others. Most of our classes are one-time sessions, but we also offer 2- or 4-part series for those who want to dive deeper.
In the past, we’ve offered a variety of writing classes through our partner organization On the Yahara Writing Center, including the Mary Oliver Society, Writing Mindfulness, Reading Sound Aloud, Eco-Poetry Pioneer Series, Touching the Earth, and Poem-a-Day. We’re always open to collaborating with others who share our passion for writing and botanical art!
Upcoming Classes
Your Botanical Terrarium
Saturday, July 19, 1-2:30 p.m.
Registration deadline: July 12
Location: Olbrich Gardens
A terrarium is a closed or open container with transparent walls that allow heat and light to enter creating a great environment for plants. In this class we will be creating a botanical and artful terrarium using multiple fun organic materials from stones, twigs, dried flowers, and the plants themselves. You will leave with a gorgeous terrarium that you can keep for yourself or give as a one of a kind gift.
Registration link: TBD
Come With Me Into the Field of Sunflowers: Writing and Flower Arranging Inspired by the Poetry of Mary Oliver
Saturday, September 6, 1-3 p.m.
Registration deadline: August 30
Location: Olbrich Gardens
We will split time this session reading and discussing poetry from one of Mary Oliver’s most flower-centric collections of poetry, Blue Iris, specially the poem “The Sunflowers”, then learning how to use our chosen flower as art and expression with a professional florist and writing instructor. We hope that participants will be willing to share their own flower poetry and take home their own sunflower arrangement. The instructors will send along a PDF attachment with common reading and writing prompts before the class.
Registration link: TBD