The UT Arboretum Society is sponsoring a free workshop on Saturday, October 26, 10 a.m.-noon at UT Arboretum Auditorium, 901 South Illinois Avenue, Oak Ridge, with Stephen Lyn Bales and UT Arboretum Education Coordinator Michelle Campanis.
Although the workshop is free, pre-registration is required and limited to 20 participants ages 14 and up. Participants will be notified via email at least 24 hours in advance if the program needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather and will be notified by phone if the program must be cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice. Please include both email and a phone number on registration. For questions or registration issues contact Michelle Campanis by email at mcampani@utk.edu.
As days grow shorter – and they will be even shorter beginning November 3 when we roll the clocks back – this is a great time to spark your creative impulse and join us for this in-person event.
To stimulate participants’ imaginations, attendees will meet at the UT Arboretum Auditorium for a short presentation on famed environmental artist Andy Goldsworthy. The program will continue outside out on the grounds. Each person will make their own art display with sticks, leaves and seeds that are already on the ground and arrange it into their own work of art.
According to instructor Bales, “This is a chance to play in the leaves and make something beautiful – even if it only lasts until the next gust of wind! We will take a short walk if time allows to see and learn from each other’s creation!”
“The intention is not to mimic nature, but to understand it.” Andy Goldsworthy
Accessibility information: Accessible parking is available at our auditorium where the presentation will be held. The create-your-own art portion involves walking on ground that includes roots and gravel but can be done very close to the auditorium. You may also have a companion gather some fallen leaves and bring them to our patio or program shelter for you to create with.
To contact Stephen Lyn Bales or buy one of his UT Press books, email him at hellostephenlyn@gmail.com.
To learn more about the Arboretum Society, go to www.utarboretumsociety.org.
Melanie Staten is a public relations consultant with her husband, Vince.