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Virtual Watercolor House Plants

Saturday, January 30  |   11:00 am - 1:00 pm
We love house plants because they allow us to bring the beauty of nature indoors. But what about house plants serving as inspiration for art-making? Join Diana Kuan for this beginner-friendly watercolor class, where you will experiment with a range of watercolor techniques to bring your favorite house plants to life. You will use techniques such as flat wash, wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet, and dry brush for simple exercises.  No worries if your paint colors are limited; we'll also go over how to blend various colors to get your ideal shades for leaves, soil, and planters. 
For the simple exercises, Diana will be demoing techniques for a few different plants including Monstera deliciosa and eucalyptus. For the longer project, choose a plant that you can easily paint from during class, or have a photo of your ideal houseplant. (anyone brand new to watercolors  is encouraged to choose a plant with simple shapes.)  Zoom invitation will be emailed upon registration.
Various supplies needed:
  • Pencil with eraser
  • Watercolor paints. You don't need to purchase expensive paints; even a basic watercolor set with primary colors will be great for this class.
  • Watercolor brushes. I will use both larger and smaller round brushes in this class (Sizes 0 to 8), and, but you're welcome to use what you have!
  • Watercolor or mixed media paper. (If you need a recommendation, we love Canson XL paper or Strathmore 400 series. 
  • Palette, disposable plate, or take-out container lid for mixing colors
  • Water cup and paper towels
  • 1 or 2 of your favorite houseplants, either whole plants or cuttings 
Adults  |  $18 per household

Cocktails and Canapes for Sweethearts

Saturday, February 13  |   6:00-7:30 pm
Celebrate a night in by making your own cocktails and canapés. We will blend up 2 cocktails (each with a nonalcoholic version), bursting with flavor and color for a sweet Valentine's Day. You'll learn how to balance flavors and use spices and garnishes to take your beverages to the next level. And you'll whip up two seemingly fancy but super straightforward hors d'oeuvres.  Limited to 12 households.  Zoom invitation, recipe packet, list of materials and shopping list will be emailed at least 2 weeks prior to this event. Our menu will include:
  • Cranberry Chai Fix
  • Pomegranate Mule
  • Garlicky Stuffed Mushrooms
  • Ginger and Soy Glazed Meatballs
Laura Scheck is the founder of Teaching Table, a culinary education platform that aims to inspire others to cook foods that are better for their bodies, their families, and their communities. Laura was trained at the Natural Gourmet Institute, making her uniquely suited to share her passion for food in an educational way. 
Adults  |  $25 per household

Virtual Cafe - Winter Wellness Herbal Tea Workshop

Thursday, March 4  |   2:00-3:00 pm
Learn basic history and facts of Herbalism/tea, create your own tea bags, and make an herb drying craft for your kitchen, with this live workshop hosted by Queens Botanical Garden.  Herbal tea kits with supplies to use during workshop will be ready for pick up after registration is complete.  Zoom invitation and link will be sent upon registration.
Adults  |  $22 per household
The environmental center is located in Alley Pond Park, surrounded by lush nature trails where visitors can enjoy NYC's natural landscapes. Guests are welcome to attend one of APEC's many nature oriented programs for all ages and visit the center's animal ambassadors. Please explore our website to learn more and register for programs.
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224-65 76th Ave.
Oakland Gardens, NY 11364
MAIN: (718) 229-4000
Email Us
contact@alleypond.org