Alcohol Ink
Celebrated for their vivid color and organic movement, alcohol inks are particularly well-suited to capturing the fluid beauty of nature. Participants will explore techniques in blending, layering, and composition to create refined, nature-inspired artwork.
Basket Weaving
Basket weaving is an ancient art form that uses botanical materials to create functional pieces that you can enjoy for years to come. Jeannie Sisson of Woven Keepsakes will conduct this workshop, where "fun and friendships intertwine" and participants will create their own basket (design dependent on the month's theme).
Botanical Book Club
Our botanical book club gives you the chance to join other garden, wildlife, and reading enthusiasts for open and informative group discussion on books about gardening, plants, nature, and the environment. Multiple titles, on a variety of nature-themed topics, are featured throughout the year.
Botanical Design and Floral Arranging
Join designer Karen Vice for creative floral arranging classes at Lauritzen Gardens, where each session offers a fresh approach to crafting beautiful floral designs. Topics vary, giving you the opportunity to explore different techniques, styles, and seasonal blooms.
Botanical Drawing and Illustration
Discover the art of capturing nature's beauty in our botanical illustration courses! Led by artist Camille Werther, these hands-on sessions will teach you how to draw and plants with precision, focusing on botanical accuracy and artistic expression. All skill levels are welcome.
Bread Making
Discover the timeless craft of sourdough in this hands-on class at Lauritzen Gardens. Learn the science behind wild fermentation, how to care for a starter, and the techniques to mix, shape, and bake naturally leavened bread—from grain to golden crust.
Cacao Ceremony Meditation
Rooted in ancient tradition, the cacao ceremony is a mindful, heart-opening experience that connects participants to nature, community, and inner reflection. Learn about the origins and cultural significance of ceremonial cacao while experiencing its natural benefits—such as improved focus, emotional clarity, and a gentle sense of well-being.
Candle Making with Telle & Resa Candle Co.
Join Telle & Resa Candle Co. for a fun and easy candle making workshop to make and customize your own 10 oz. soy candle. Includes all natural ingredients and the materials needed to create a candle perfect for any space.
Card Making and Paper Arts
In these creative classes, craft handmade cards and botanical paper art inspired by the garden’s natural beauty. Learn techniques like stamping, layering, embellishing, and incorporating pressed flowers to create meaningful, garden-inspired pieces.
Ceramic Planters
Get your hands in the clay and bring beauty to your home and garden with our ceramics classes. From sculpted planters to functional pottery, these hands-on workshops explore techniques in hand-building and design, all inspired by the natural world.
Charcuterie
Unlock the secrets of creating the perfect charcuterie board with Artisan Boards of Omaha. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to select and arrange meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and more to create a stunning spread that's perfect for any occasion.
Cookie Decorating
These hands-on classes guide participants through the art of decorating garden-inspired sugar cookies. Perfect for anyone who enjoys learning new skills, expressing their creativity—and indulging in a sweet treat!
Digital Photography Workshops with Michele Zephier
Learn and refine your photography skills with accomplished photographer Michele Zephier, and enjoy using the beautiful, natural setting of the garden as your studio in these workshops for all levels.
Garden Tours and Nature Experiences
Get a deeper look into the garden's ever-changing landscape on a guided tour. With different tours each season, you'll discover how the garden evolves, learn more about Lauritzen Gardens' plant collection, and gain a fresh perspective on nature’s cyclical beauty.
Herbalism
Discover the power of plants through herbalism. These classes explore the traditional and modern uses of herbs for wellness, offering hands-on experiences in crafting tinctures, salves, and other botanical remedies—all rooted in the natural beauty of the garden.
Jewelry Workshop
Create one-of-a-kind jewelry inspired by the beauty of the natural world. In these hands-on classes, explore jewelry designs influenced by leaves, flowers, stones, wood, and more OR craft wearable works of art using natural materials.
Journaling
Explore the power of journaling as a tool for self-expression, mindfulness, and personal growth. These thoughtful classes encourage creativity and reflection, helping you build a meaningful writing practice that supports emotional well-being and clarity.
Moss Terrarium Workshops
Join Moss Hunters as they guide you through making your own living terrarium, using hand-picked moss, shells, and rocks. They’ll show you how to layer and design your materials to create a beautiful, low-maintenance terrarium.
Needle Felting
Join Rhonda Berman of Zipply Art for workshops that add a new twist to needle felting, a creative craft that involves sculpting shapes and figures using wool and special felting needles. These workshops are beginner-friendly and teach participants how to create art pieces using wool, zippers, and other embellishments.
Night Skies with the Omaha Astronomical Society
As the seasons shift, so does the sky. Join the Omaha Astronomical Society for a series of evening sky viewing sessions to observe different constellations, planets, and deep-sky objects, from the brilliant summer stars to the crisp winter constellations.
Plant Workshops with Nodest Home Plants
The team at Nodest Home Plants are known for their houseplants, soil bar and repotting services, and now they are bringing their expertise to Lauritzen Gardens for a series of plant workshops.
Painting
Lauritzen Gardens in an inspired environment for artists of all levels to explore various painting techniques. Whether you prefer acrylic, oil, Gelli printing, or another medium, our experienced instructors will guide you through each step, helping you develop your skills and create beautiful, nature-inspired artwork.
Papermaking
These exploratory workshops introduce participants to the world of hand papermaking. Each workshop is a place for artistic discovery, and covers a different topic. Participants will learn how to transform a variety of grown and gathered plant fibers (from the garden and beyond) into new sheets of handmade paper and/or other artistic techniques based on the class focus.
Poetry Workshops
Discover the art of poetry and deepen your connection with nature in this series of workshops led by poet and artist Julie Paschold. Through garden-inspired, experimental writing activities and group discussion, you’ll explore how to use your senses and emotions to craft evocative and meaningful verses.
Polymer Clay
Polymer clay is a versatile and durable medium that’s popular for creating a wide range of art pieces, from jewelry to ornaments to functional objects. These workshops teach the basics of using polymer clay and showcase how the medium can be mixed, molded, and shaped into vibrant and intricate designs.
Designing with Pressed Flowers
Led by Holly Lukasiewicz with District 2 Floral Studio, these classes utliize dried and/or pressed flowers to create floral-forward and eco-friendly artwork, arrangements, and keepsakes.
Sound Bathing with Shrader Healing
Join us for transformative evenings of meditation and sound bathing led by Ellie and Matthew Shrader of Shrader Healing. Relax as you’re immersed in healing sounds from gongs, crystal bowls, flutes, and more, designed to soothe the mind and body.
Tea Classes with The Tea Smith
Through tales and tastings, explore the world of tea from leaf to cup with experts from The Tea Smith. Different topics are offered throughout the year, ranging from Japanese teas to floral teas, to tea cocktails.
Watercolor Painting
Explore the beauty of nature through watercolor. These inspiring classes invite artists of all levels to capture the colors, textures, and forms of the garden while learning foundational techniques and creative approaches to painting.
Yoga
Engage your senses, relax in nature, and connect to yourself with outdoor yoga at Lauritzen Gardens. These 60-minute sessions are appropriate for every body and every level of practitioner.