iStroll High Intensity Fitness

Fridays | March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 | 9 – 10 am | Performance Garden

Join us in the gardens for 60 minutes of iStroll HiiT (High Intensity Interval Training)! All fitness levels are welcome, and modifications will be demonstrated. Please bring a mat, weights, and water. Stay and enjoy the gardens after class or take your little one to the Children’s Museum Oro Valley @ Tohono Chul!

New to iStroll? Your first class is FREE! Preregistration is not required. Classes can be purchased here. Drop-ins welcome! Please arrive 15 minutes early to fill out a waiver.

$10 members | $10 + admission for the general public

Students pay instructor directly

Healing Sound Meditation

Saturday | April 8 | 8:30 – 9:30 am | Performance Garden | Free with Admission

Embark on a journey of frequency in the gardens this spring! Take a meditative stroll and immerse yourself in a sound healing experience led by TC Chicago. Sessions begin with a guided meditation allowing you to embrace the serenity of the gardens. The sound of her 28-inch gong, crystal bowls, Himalayan singing bowls, and shamanic drum will alter patterns of brain activity bringing you into a higher state of consciousness as you focus on your breath. This practice can reduce stress, promote more restful sleep, and lower your heart rate and blood pressure. Come surround yourself with nature as you enjoy this multisensory experience!

Exploring Nature Through Watercolor

Thursdays | March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6 | 1 – 4 pm | Education Center Classroom 1 | $270 members, $290 general public

Deepen your appreciation for nature by learning to capture it in watercolor! This watercolor class is great for beginners to advanced painters and will cover composition, representation of form, color mixing, and painting from photos and nature. Students will explore gesture sketching and nature journaling and will complete several small paintings throughout the six sessions. Taught by Katie Iverson, an artist, photographer, marine biologist, and Tohono Chul Docent, who will have plenty of insights about representing the flora and fauna of our beautiful Sonoran Desert region! Katie will provide supplies for the first class as well as a list of recommended materials for the remaining classes. (Students are welcome to bring any materials they have to the first class, but are discouraged from purchasing new materials until AFTER the first class.) Unlock your creative cortex and join us for some fun this spring!

Sold out! Email khayes@tohonochul.org if you’d like to be added to the waitlist.

Butterfly Bracelet – Rescheduled!

Friday | November 10 | 10 – 11:30 am | Education Center Classroom 1 | $35 members, $50 general public

Butterflies flutter in and out of our lives regularly. Frequency of butterfly sightings fluctuates from season to season. Artist, Dee Taube has a fun project to bring these delicate creatures into your life permanently! Make a beautiful bracelet with crystal beads and a butterfly focal. All skill levels are welcome, and all materials are provided. The butterfly focal piece measures approximately 1”x3/4”. Bracelet length is adjustable and made to fit each individual and includes an easy to open lobster claw clasp.

Negative Space

Canceled! Sorry for the Inconvenience

Looking for a new rim treatment, gourd artists? Pine needles treated with glycerin and adorned with copper beads make a powerful statement on this asymmetrical gourd. Gourd artist, Sue Brogdon will demonstrate a variety of finishes utilizing metallic copper. After the gourd is colored, students will make small wire beads and twisted wire for lashing the pine needles. Next, students attach two rows of pine needles. The first is a simple row lashing from hole to hole; the second row requires a wire wrap stitch and attaching the bead so it is suspended above the first row. Instructor will demonstrate how to make the second row structurally sound and how to line a gourd with handmade paper.

Students should bring plastic or latex gloves, a wire cutter, a roll (30 yards) of 26-gauge copper wire (Michaels or JoAnns), a heat tool (if you have one), sack lunch, beverage, and snacks. Instructor provides all other materials including dyed and natural pine needles.

Yoga in the Gardens

Tuesdays | April 4, 11, 18, 25 | 8:30 – 9:30 am | Performance Garden

Yoga with Mary Carhuff continues this spring! Class will begin one hour earlier as spring temperatures start to rise. Mary is a Certified Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist. All are welcome! Open your senses to an understanding of our connection to the earth while you practice amongst pollinators in a beautiful garden setting. All are encouraged to practice at their own pace and modifications will be demonstrated. Please bring your own mat and dress in layers. Stay and enjoy the beauty of the gardens after class or treat yourself to brunch at the Garden Bistro!

$10 members | $10 + admission for the general public

Students pay instructor directly | Preregistration not required

Chair Yoga in the Gardens

Tuesdays | April 4, 11, 18, 25 | 10 – 10:45 am | Performance Garden

This outdoor class with Mary Carhuff is ideal for anyone who struggles with earth (floor) poses. Class will begin one hour earlier as spring temperatures start to rise. Mary is a Certified Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist. This balance focused class is broken up into seated yoga followed by standing poses using the chair for balance. Chairs will be provided. All are encouraged to practice at their own pace and modifications will be demonstrated. Please bring a water bottle and dress in layers. Stay and enjoy the gardens after class and get to know your fellow yogis!

$10 members | $10 + admission for the general public

Students pay instructor directly | Preregistration not required

Desert Tree Pruning

Friday | April 7 | 10 am – 12 pm | Education Center Classroom 1 | $10 members, $14 general public

Don’t think you’re ready to make that first cut? Gain expert pruning advice from 20-year industry veteran, REALM’s award-winning landscape designer, and ISA Certified Arborist, Jason Isenberg, as he leads you through the basics of pruning the desert landscape. Topics covered include choosing the right tools for the job, the basic do’s and don’ts of pruning, specific pruning approaches and philosophies, and pruning time tables. Jason will provide resource recommendations and take-home materials to help you succeed in your own yard!

Mosaic Garden Scene

Tuesday | April 11 | 10 am – 2 pm | Education Center Classroom 1 | $90 members, $105 general public

Mixing materials is a fun way to create dynamic mosaic art scenes. Join us to interpret a desert garden scene using porcelain and glass tiles in an 8×10″ frame for a wonderful effect. Mosaic artist, David Jarvinen will guide you in learning the fundamentals of different tools used for each material needed to create your organic shapes. Immerse yourself in creativity as your garden scene takes shape! No formal breaks are included so please bring lunch and/or snacks and a beverage.

Pocket Sketching | Refresher Course

Thursday – Saturday | April 13 – 15 | 10 am – 4 pm | Education Center Classroom 1 | $305 members, $330 general public

Kath Macaulay is back to offer students who have already completed a Pocket Sketching workshop more advanced techniques that will take their work to the next level! This in-depth review also includes students’ requests, such as how to tackle clouds, running water, people, and glass. New techniques include the use of pencil and ballpoint pen, journaling, drawing with dilute paint and working from memory. The third day will be partially outdoors using these new techniques throughout the gardens. Bring your Pocket Sketching supplies, a pencil, a ballpoint pen, and lunch to the first session.  Additional supplies will be available for purchase.

Design a Talavera Pot

Thursday | April 20 | 10 am – 12 pm | Education Center Classroom 1 | $55 members, $70 general public

Originating from Talavera de la Reina in Spain, Talavera pottery has been produced in Puebla, Mexico since the 16^th century. While the intricate designs were originally produced in blue on white, the tradition now incorporates an array of colors. Sandy Villegas of Luna’s Paper Designs will teach you how to make your own original Puebla Talavera designs on paper and paint them on a 5.5 x 6” terracotta pot. You will also learn the history of the Puebla Talavera tradition and why it is unique compared to the rest of art in Mexico. All materials are provided. You are welcome to bring snacks and a drink. 

“What in the World is Environmental Art?” Talk from the Tucson Museum of Art

Friday | April 21 | 1 – 2:30 pm |Education Center Classroom 1 | $5 members, $7 general public, Free for TMA members

As Earth Day approaches, let’s dive into Environmental Art and learn more about how artists examine the human relationship with the environment. Come explore the interdisciplinary minds and works of artists whose creations are both timeless and ephemeral. See why they are so important for expanding the definition of art itself joining hearts to science. Leave understanding “What in the World Environmental Art is” and how it raises awareness about issues relating to our planet. Presentation by Nancy Jacques courtesy of the Tucson Museum of Art – Docent Art Talks.

Sustainability Made Simple

Tuesday | May 2 | 10 am – 12 pm | Education Center Classroom 1 | $10 members, $14 general public

A thoughtful, ecological approach to landscape design doesn’t mean that style has to take a back seat. Award-winning landscape designer and owner of REALM, Jason Isenberg, demystifies many of the driving tenets of sustainability including water harvesting, organic gardening, permaculture, xeriscaping, smart irrigation, considered plant selection, and more. Once you have this insight, you’ll be able to implement strategies to create a landscape custom made for your conscience, your priorities, and your aesthetic preferences.

Papier Mâché Javelina

Tuesday & Thursday | May 9 & 18 | 9:30 am – 12 pm | Education Center Classroom 1 | $55 members, $70 general public

In this two-day workshop with Sandy Villegas of Luna’s Paper Designs you will learn how to make your own javelina with papier-mâché, and you will paint it with bright colors and designs. In the first session you will make your character from scratch with paper, papier-mâché, and paper clay. The following week (once your creation is dry) you will learn about Mexican Folk Art and how to design symbols and flowers for your javelina using acrylic paint. All materials are provided. You are welcome to bring snacks and a drink. 

Mosaic Bird Feeder

Wednesday | May 10 | 10 am – 3 pm | Lomaki House | $90 members, $105 general public

Join David Jarvinen, mosaic artist, to create a wonderful addition to your garden – a hanging bird feeder! We begin with a clay saucer with a hole in the center, then choose from an array of glass tiles to create your design. A hanging system is included and a grout kit is provided; with everything you need including instructions to apply after adhesive cures for a minimum of 24 hours. David will give a grout demonstration in the afternoon. No formal breaks are included so please bring lunch and/or snacks and a beverage.

Lashed, Wrapped, & Woven

Friday | May 12 | 9 am – 4 pm | Education Center Classroom 1 | $90 members, $105 general public

Gourd artist, Sue Brogdon has another great rim treatment for you! This vessel features a subtle metallic finish utilizing dye inks, textured distress spray stains, and denatured alcohol. A variety of colors of finishes will be available. After sealing your gourd, you will lash one row of bear grass.  The next two rows are tacked in a few places then woven. Drill holes for lashing will be concealed with tiny seed beads. Sue will also demonstrate how to prep bear grass for use in future projects.

Students should bring plastic or latex gloves, a heat tool (if you have one), a wire cutter and scissors, sack lunch, beverage, and snacks. Instructor will provide all other materials including dyed and natural bear grass.

Surviving Summers in Territorial Tucson

Friday | May 19 | 1 – 2:30 pm | Education Center Classroom 1 | $10 members, $14 general public

If your air conditioning has ever broken down in the summer, you likely thought, “How did people live here before AC?!”. There was a grudging acceptance that when May rolled around, one had to decide whether to stay or leave the Old Pueblo for the summer. Historian, Ken Scoville, will discuss summer routines developed around sleeping outside and enduring and evading the heat like all desert dwellers must do. Travel before the railroad arrived in 1880 was especially difficult given the physical hardship of the crossing and the ever-present possibility of an Apache ambush. George Hand’s Saloon Diary provides a first-hand (pun intended) account of the distinct way of life in the summer including his first encounter with ice cream in 1870’s Tucson. Everyone had to come together to get through the summer while having some fun along the way! Although masks are no longer required at Tohono Chul, masks are encouraged at this class per our instructor’s request.