Como Park Zoo and Conservatory’s art classes are designed for both students interested in working professionally in botanical or zoological art and for those who want to pursue art for pleasure. For the serious student, the Botanical Art Program is structured to provide a schedule of courses that lead to a certification in botanical and/or zoological art and illustration.

Register online by clicking on the class code (example: A397)

Discounted rates are available for Society members. For more information on Como Zoo and Conservatory Society memberships, call (651) 487-8229 or click here.

Are you a Como Zoo and Conservatory Society member and want to register online? Call 651-487-8272 for special instructions.

For more information, please contact Como Education by calling
651-487-8272 or emailing us at comoeducation@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

Material Lists -
Most classes listed below provide a list of required and/or recommended materials for students to bring to class. Although these supplies can be purchased at any art supply store of choice, Wet Paint, a store with a large stock of art supplies and knowledgeable staff, is familiar with Como's art program and can assist students with purchasing these supplies at a discounted rate. Wet Paint is located at 1684 Grand Ave in St. Paul.

C - Indicates a course required to meet Botanical and Zoological Art and Illustration Certification Program standards.

E - Indicates an elective within the Certification Program.

B - Indicates a beginner level course.

SUMMER WORKSHOPS

Blossoming Into Photography:
Photographing the Japanese Garden - Materials List
Get to know your camera while photographing in the Japanese Garden. Using your digital camera as a sketchbook, we'll explore the spirit of this special place and practice techniques for seeing. There will be many photographic exercises as well as time to show your work and get feedback.

A409
Wednesdays, May 7, 14, 21, 28
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
$75
Instructor: Rebecca Pavlenko

Watercolor “How To” Workshops - Materials List
In these workshops we will focus on a different aspect of watercolor painting each week. We will start with some basics and move to more specific problems. Some experience with watercolors is helpful, but not required.

Each of the following "How To" workshops can be taken separately or as a series.

Call 651-487-8272 to register for ALL SESSIONS and receive the discount. Cost $150/all sessions.

A410-1 Controlling your Watercolors
Monday, June 16 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm $35 Instructor: Catherine Hearding	We will focus on brushwork, different types of washes and learning how to create edges. Learn how to work wet-in-wet or wet-on-dry and how to control paint movement. Learn how to mix paint for fresh-looking colors.

A410-2 Creating Exciting Textures
Monday, June 23 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm $35 Instructor: Catherine Hearding	This class will focus on the second layer of the painting process, creating texture. We will try out numerous techniques, some common and some experimental, to create convincing texture.

A410-3 Painting Trees and Rocks
Monday, June 30 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm $35 Instructor: Catherine Hearding	This class will focus on how to paint convincing trees and rocks. Building on techniques learned in the texture workshop, we will learn how to add trees and rocks to our landscapes.

A410-4 Painting Water and Reflections
Monday, July 7 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm $35 Instructor: Catherine Hearding	This class will focus on techniques to help you simulate water and its effects. Still water reflections, broken reflections and wave action will be discussed. Also covered will be color choices for water.

A410-5 Simulating Light and Creating Shadows
Monday, July 14 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm $35 Instructor: Catherine Hearding	This class will focus on how to paint light and shadows. We will look at colors of light and shadows, how to create movement using light and how to create more drama in your paintings by using value contrast.

Tree Portraits in Watercolor - Materials List
This two-day workshop will be taught plen aire in Como Park. Learn to understand the structure of trees, how to represent leaf masses, painting trunk textures, creating a convincing environment and different painting techniques for watercolor paint.

A411
Wednesday/Thursday, June 18 and 19
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm each day
$85
Instructor: Mark Granlund

Nature Journaling - Materials List
We will create a journal of small and intimate paintings of the world around us, what moves us and what is happening in our day. Prior experience with watercolor is a plus but is not required. All that is needed is a keen eye and enthusiasm. Outdoor painting will be a big part of the session in this 3 session workshop.

A412
Thursdays, July 31 - August 14
4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
$60
Instructor: Sandy Muzzy

Painting White Flowers on White Paper - Materials List
How do you paint something that is white on white paper? There are several techniques to painting white objects in watercolor. The instructor will guide students through the process of observing subtle variation, distinguishing background and the painting of shadows in this two-day workshop. There will also be discussion about the importance of the choice of materials.

A413
Friday, July 25 ... 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm and
Saturday, July 26... 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
$85
Instructor: Mark Granlund

Note: CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

Painting Floral Arrangements in Watercolor - Materials List
This two-day workshop will focus on basic techniques for creating floral arrangements and then painting those arrangements in watercolor. Students will learn to create floral displays from flowers provided by instructor (students must bring a couple of different vases). Students will then learn about composition, color matching, color theory and paint application to create a beautiful rendition of their own arrangement. Students will take home a painting and their arrangement.

A414
Wednesday, August 6 and Thursday, August 7
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm each day
$85
Instructor: Mark Granlund

THE FOLLOWING WORKSHOPS ARE OPEN
TO ADULTS AND TEENS!

Drawing Animals and Plants Series - Materials List
Develop the skills and understanding of drawing animals and plants through a variety of exercises. Focus will be on helping even the most art-anxious student the confidence to give drawing another try. Plants and animals from the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory will be used as subject matter.

Each of the following "Drawing Animals and Plants" workshops can be taken separately or as a series.

Call 651-487-8272 to register for ALL SESSIONS and receive the discount. Cost $180/all sessions.

A415-1 - Drawing as Active Observation
Tuesday, June 10 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm $40 Instructor: Vera Wong	Through a series of exercises, even the most art-intimidated student can gain the confidence to overcome early negative experiences and give drawing another whirl. Excercises are desgined to enhance observation skills and low-stress approaches to recording their observations. This class is ideal as a prerequisite for the following drawing classes, but not necessary.

A415-2 - Drawing Bones
Tuesday, June 17 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm $40 Instructor: Vera Wong	Explore the fascinating sculptural forms of internal structures, revealing the forces that shaped the bones and the function they serve. We'll look at isolated bones and articulated skeletons, from boht a biological and visual art perspective.

A415-3 - Seeing Under the Skin
Tuesday, June 24 5:30p-8:00p $ 40 Instructor: Vera Wong	Draw from live animals! Through a series of exercises, learn to decipher, understand and capture the natural movement of animals in your drawing.

A415-4 - Drawing Animals in Motion
Tuesday, July 1 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm $40 Instructor: Vera Wong (Note: The time for this class is different from the other classes so that students can be on zoo grounds when animals are in their exhibits.)	Draw from the animals of Como Zoo! This class teaches students how to apply the understanding and skills learned in "Seeing Under the Skin" class to drawing live animals in motion - an exercise in patience and persistence.

A415-5 - Drawing Flowers
Tuesday, July 8 5:30p-8:00p $40 Instructor: Vera Wong	Flower forms range from elegantly simple to complex. Using the plants and flowers of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory as your subject, students will apply their drawing skills through exercises and individual coaching.

Creating with Paper - Materials List
Use colors, textures, and densities of various papers alone or in combination, as an art medium. Using knife and scissors create positive and negative spaces, layers of color, and fold cut papers to create collapsible sculptures – also known as pop-ups!

A416
Saturday, July 19
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
$40
Instructor: Vera Wong

Watch our website for the fall 2008 classes -
information coming in August.

Thank you for visiting us!