Youth Art Show | All Ages
September 1st-27th | Jefferson School City Center
View the nature-inspired works by local youth artists ages 11-18. Jefferson School City Center, 233 4th St NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903.

JMRL Book Hunt | All Ages
September 1st-30th | Across the Garden
Visit our Little Library to pick up a book hunt guide, then explore the Garden to see if you can find painted book covers hidden throughout the Garden!

Botanical Art Show First Fridays Gallery Opening 5:30pm-7:30pm | All Ages
Free | McGuffey Art Center
Join us for our First Fridays Gallery Opening of the Botanical Art Show. Over 70 local artists will have their works of art on display and sale during the month of September. Registration is encouraged, but not required. McGuffey Arts Center Center, 201 2nd St NW, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Youth Art Show First Fridays Gallery Opening 5:30pm-7:30pm | All Ages
Free | Jefferson School City Center
Join us for our First Fridays Gallery Opening of the Youth Art Show. Enjoy nature-inspired works by local youth artists ages 11-18. Registration is encouraged, but not required. Jefferson School City Center, 233 4th St NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903.

Plein Air Painters at Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards 1:00pm-3:00pm | All ages
No Registration Required!
Watch the landscape come to life on canvas as rows of grapevines, rolling hills, and golden light inspire each brushstroke. Sip wine, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, and witness the artistic process unfold in real time. This relaxed, open-air experience is perfect for art lovers, nature enthusiasts, and anyone looking to slow down and savor the moment. Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards, 5022 Plank Rd, North Garden, VA 22959.

Create with Nature and Explore to Read 10:30am-11:15am | Ages 2-4
Free | BGP Tent
Create With Nature on Wednesday, September 9th from 10:30-11:15 am! Visit the Garden for a nature themed art activity with Bruce Gatling-Austin. Stay for a stroll through the Garden. Keep an eye out for story pages as you enjoy your walk. This Create with Nature is geared for ages 2-4, but all are welcome. This event is preceded by the Gordon Avenue Library JMRL storytime at 10am. Click Here to Register with Gordon Avenue Library for JMRL Storytime.

Introduction to Starting and Maintaining a Perpetual Journal with Lara Call Gastinger 10:00am-11:30am | All Ages
20 Participants | Free | McGuffey Smith Gallery, 201 2nd St NW, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Lara will introduce basic skills for starting and maintaining your own perpetual journal. She will explain how pages are set up and discuss techniques that she uses to create her nature observations. The session will include a drawing demo. This workshop is sponsored by Panorama Natural Burial. 

Sculpture from Recycled Materials with Robin Hoffman 12:00pm-1:45pm | All Ages
20 Participants | Free | 540 Belvedere Boulevard, Charlottesville, VA 22901
Turn your trash into a creative treasure with Robin Hoffman! For this workshop please bring a bag of recyclable and clean trash materials from home. We will transform these objects into three-dimensional sculptures, such as insects or botanicals. Everyone will take home a beautiful piece, or two. All supplies will be provided except the recycled materials.

Ribbon Needlework – Floral Designs 12:00pm-1:45pm | Teens & Adults
10 Participants | $100 | Poppypointe, 1747 Allied Street, Suite J, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Cynthia Thomas is a national needlework instructor based in Texas. She will be offering instruction stitching 4 simple flowers using ribbon thread. Class is geared towards stitchers with some needlepoint / cross stitch / embroidery experience. It will be taught on blank 18 mesh needlepoint canvas. Class will provide blank canvas, stretcher bars, thread and needles.

Explore Your Story Workshop 2:00pm-4:00pm | Adults
15 Participants | Free | Northside library
What’s your story? Join a free introductory session with Storyteller and Producer of Cville Stories, Barbara Fornoff, and Storyteller Charmaine Crowell White. Discover how stories are made, hear from storytellers, and start shaping your own story!

Plein Air Painters at King Family Vineyards 1:00pm – 3:00pm | All ages
No Registration Required!
Experience the magic of plein air painting as an artist brings the vineyard’s charm to life right before your eyes. Surrounded by vines, hills, and dappled sunlight, the artist will translate the vineyard’s natural palette into a work of art. Stop by to observe, sip on a glass of wine, and gain insight into the creative process. King Family Vineyards, 6550 Roseland Farm, Crozet, VA 22932.

Botanical Art Festival Celebration 5:30pm-7:30pm | Adults
Ticketed Event | McGuffey Art Center
An evening celebrating the flora of the Piedmont as rendered by local artists. This ticketed event will feature works over 70 local artists for show and sale, live music, light fair, and cocktails. Cocktail attire. McGuffey Arts Center, 201 2nd St NW, Charlottesville, VA 22902.

Youth Storytelling Workshop 10:30am-12:00pm | Ages 10-18
10 Participants | Free | BGP Tent
What’s your nature adventure story? Join acclaimed Storyteller Anthony Burcher for games, prompts, and laughs to discover your story at this free workshop.

Plein Air Painters at Blenheim Vineyards 1:00pm-3:00pm | All ages
No Registration Required!
Enjoy a unique day at the vineyard as local artists paint the surrounding landscape en plein air. With sweeping views, soft breezes, and the golden light of the vines, the setting offers the perfect muse. As you sip a glass of wine, pause to watch the canvas evolve—each brushstroke capturing the spirit of the land. It’s a peaceful, inspiring way to experience both art and nature. Blenheim Vineyards, 31 Blenheim Farm, Charlottesville, VA 22902.

Arranging Flowers from Your Garden with Floral Designer Carolyn Adams 5:00pm-6:30pm | Teens & Adults
15 Participants | $15 | 540 Belvedere Boulevard, Charlottesville, VA 22901
We all love flowers, so join us arranging fresh flowers. This class will incorporate a new method of arranging flowers and greenery, not using an oasis. It is still simple, easy, and lots of fun. You will be rewarded with an arrangement of flowers for your home.

Watercolor Botanicals for Beginners with Courtney Hopkins 5:00pm-6:30pm | Teens & Adults
20 Participants | Free | McGuffey Arts Center, 201 2nd St NW, Charlottesville, VA 22902
In this workshop, Courtney will welcome you into the vibrant and inspiring world of watercolor botanical painting. She will share her best tips for creating watercolor florals and you’ll experiment with brushstrokes, color mixing, and watercolor paint techniques in a fun and encouraging atmosphere. You will leave with a complete painting and a new way to engage with nature that fuels your creativity!

Crafts and Printing Making Table 9:30am-12:30pm | All Ages
Free | BGP
Enjoy crafts and print making with items found in the Garden!

Shenandoah Storyteller 10:00am-10:45am | Ages 5+
Free | BGP Amphitheater
For more than forty years, storyteller Susan Clark has captivated audiences with tales rich in humor, heart, and tradition. Drawing from the folklore of the Appalachian Mountains, Native American traditions, Ireland, and beyond, she weaves memorable stories that delight adult listeners with wit, warmth, and humor. Using her stage acting experience and many hours telling stories to children as a children’s librarian she immerses listeners in stories that are lively, engaging, and deeply human. From sassy rabbits to spooky graveyards to magical journeys and vivid portraits of traditional mountain life, Susan brings each character to life through expressive voice, movement, and theatrical flair.

Music in the Garden with David McCormick 11:00am-12:00pm | All Ages
Free | BGP Amphitheater
Enjoy Music by baroque violin & vielleen performer David McCormick.

Colorful Botanical Drawing Workshop with Artist Lisa Devaney 11:30am-12:30pm | All Ages
20 Participants | Free | BGP Tent
Artist Lisa Devaney will guide participants in a botanical drawing workshop by observing fresh flowers and depicting subjects on greeting cards and other surfaces. Lisa herself creates Sharpie art and acrylic marker drawings of botanical subjects and is talented at demonstrating to others how to observe and draw or paint stylistic versions of flowers.

Painting Flowers in Watercolor with Marcia Mitchell 1:00pm-2:00pm | Teens & Adults
10 Participants | Free | BGP Tent
Paint details of flowers and plants with professional artist Marcia Mitchell.

Virginia Watercolor Guild Plein Air Painting in the Garden 12:00pm-3:00pm | Teen & Adults
Free | BGP
The Virginia Watercolor Guild will be painting in the Garden! Wander the grounds and view works as they are created by the Watercolor Guild.