We need nature-connection to thrive! Garden Gatherings are open to anyone in the community who is looking to add connection to nature and people into their lives. The purpose is to come together with others and explore a new form of nature-connection through art and mindfulness using our senses. All Gatherings are held in the Guelph Enabling Garden, an accessible space in Riverside Park. Each session will be led or co-facilitated by a registered Horticultural Therapist. The summer sessions could be attended as a Nature Journal Series, each session creating items that could be included in a nature journal or diary, or participants can also just attend one or two. The first session will help us practice focus and grounding, and in the final session we will create nature journals, adding anything we created and collected over the summer.
Use this form to sign up, or email ht@enablinggarden.org, or call Heidi at 519-783-1550, or come find us in the GEG. Limited space available. You may be put on a waitlist after signing up.
Mindfulness in Nature with Meaghan Mazurek
Monday July 10, 4-5:30pm
We’ll try to improve our ability to notice the things that are often missed in our busy lives. Our time will include hands-on activities and tangible tools for supporting our wellness.
Leaves as Canvas (embroidery, painting, dotting) with Wendy Schmiedendorf
Monday July 17, 4-6pm
Pressed and fresh leaves can be decorated in many ways. Join us as we explore simple embroidery and paint pen decorations to embellish and play with leaves as a unique canvas for art.
Flower and Leaf Pounding with Heather Anderson
Monday July 24, 4-6pm
Hammering some flowers and leaves transfers their colour onto natural cloth & paper. We’ll use fresh plant material from the garden & learn this unique method of capturing natural beauty. Note: this workshop will be loud. Send ht@enablinggarden.org a message for more details.
Pressing Flowers and Leaves with Heidi Torreiter
Monday July 31, 4-6pm
An age-old method of preserving the beauty of flowers and leaves, participants will have access to the plants in the garden, learn the elements of successful preservation, and get to take a homemade flower press home.
Eco-dyeing Using Leaves and Flowers with Julia Masci
Monday August 14, 4-6pm
Learn from a professional about dyes made from plants, and experience the process of eco-printing using a variety of flowers, leaves, roots and common kitchen scraps.
Nature Cyanotype Images with Heidi Torreiter
Monday August 21, 4-6pm
Participants will get to explore this unique, historical, and simple method of playing with shadows and shapes through plant material.
Nature Journals with Heidi Torreiter
Monday August 28, 4-6pm
Create a place to keep nature-inspired art & thoughts. If you have attended previous Garden Gatherings, bring those creations to include in your journal. You’re also welcome to bring your favourite nature poems, photos, thoughts, art supplies. GEG art supplies and plant material will be available to inspire your creative expression.
