Victorian Pressed Flowers Workshop with Robert Mahar

Victorian Pressed Flowers Workshop with Robert Mahar

Date: Saturday, May 13, 10am - 12:00pm

Location: Conservatory of Flowers, Orchid Pavilion

Workshop Description:

Explore the popular mid-19th Century pastime of creating an herbarium, a collection of dried flora assembled for decorative purposes or as a garden record. Join artist and maker Robert Mahar in learning best practices for working with delicate pressed flowers and then create your own imaginative compositions mounted on paper - suitable for framing or stationery. Instruction will also include the fabrication of a simple wood flower press to preserve specimens from your own home garden.

This workshop is well suited for beginners - no previous experience is necessary. Participants will work with pre-pressed flowers provided in their material kits. It is not permitted to pick or remove flowers or plants from the Conservatory of Flowers.

This workshop will be held in the Orchid Pavilion, adjacent to the Conservatory of Flowers. When you are facing the main entrance to the conservatory greenhouse, the Orchid Pavilion is located on your right hand side. Consider visiting the historic Conservatory of Flowers after the workshop - San Francisco residents and Gardens of Golden Gate members are admitted for free, admission for non-residents is $15. on the weekends.

Materials:

All materials are included and will be provided to participants when they arrive for the workshop. Each material kit includes: a selection of dried and pressed flowers, paper, adhesive and assembly tools to create decorative compositions; pre-cut wood, paper, cardboard and hardware to assemble a small-scale flower press.

About the instructor:

Robert Mahar is a California-based artist, designer and maker who teaches clever do-it-yourself projects and develops imaginative craft inspired products. He’s also a proud alumni of the inaugural season of NBC’s crafting competition show Making It with Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. With an education in studio arts and art history, he has worked in a variety of creative fields including 13 years as an appraiser of modern and contemporary art. Learn more about Robert, explore his video tutorial archive and shop his collection of curious embroidery samplers at robert-mahar.com.

Participant fees:

Adult (Ages 18+) - $110.

SFBG/GGGP members receive a 10% discount. Please access your membership portal for this discount.