Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
Growing at Vandusen Botanical Garden
Guest contribution by Nita Wardlow
Photo by Nancy Wong
The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival invites artists of all ages to celebrate spring at their new home in VanDusen Botanical Garden. This year's Plein-Air Blossom Painting Classes start from "The Glass House" and fan out into the garden's 55 acres of botanical paradise. What better place to paint the blossoms?
This year, all 4 classes will be held at VanDusen, taught by 4 different visual artists. The classes will be from 11 am to 2 pm on consecutive Saturdays – March 29, April 5, 12, and 19.
Last year's participants enthusiastically praised the quality of the instruction, as well as the unique experience of painting outdoors under the blossoms. Maureen Kelland said of last year's classes: "It made me take time out of my busy life and learn something new surrounded by incredible beauty." Another participant, Leslie McGuffin, said painting outdoors helped her relish Vancouver's natural beauty even more. "I applaud the festival for offering artists of all ages and stages a much-needed opportunity to share their creative output with others."
The children's Plein-Air Blossom Painting class was especially popular. Again this year children age 6 to 13 can register for their April 26th class to be held on Granville Island.
Local architect, urban designer and painter, Alfonso Tejada, has recruited some of Vancouver's finest artists to teach the four Plein-Air sessions. Check out www.vcbf.ca for information about our instructors.
Registration is now open online for painters of all ages, level of experience and preferred medium. Visit our website at www.vcbf.ca to register for one Saturday class for $45 or for all four Saturdays for $150. Fee for the April 26th children's class is $30. Registration form and cheque should be mailed to Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver, V6M 4H1.
The Cherry Blossom Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of RBC Foundation and Opus Framing & Art Supplies.
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