[Communications] March in Bloom at the Conservatory: Rooted in Mystery, New Mural, Job Openings & More!

[Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance]

Email from Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance March 2025 Newsletter You are receiving this because you subscribe to our e-newsletter. March 2025 Connecting People to Nature on Chicago's West Side EXHIBITS Spring Flower Show: Rooted In Mystery Open Now through Sunday, May 11, 2025 Discover the hidden wonders beneath our feet at this year’s Spring Flower Show, “Rooted in Mystery”! This captivating exhibit explores the vital yet often unseen world of roots—from delivering water and nutrients to communicating through chemical and electrical signals to help plants survive. As you take in a breathtaking display of azaleas, pansies, snapdragons, astilbe, baptisia, hydrangeas, and 26 varieties of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, you’ll also learn about the fascinating roles roots play in the plant kingdom. This exhibit is included with your reservation—plan your visit today! BOOK YOUR VISIT MURAL IN PROGRESS, DESIGNED BY CHI NWOSU  Experience "A Place to Grow Our Souls" "A Place to Grow Our Souls" – A New Mural at Garfield Park Conservatory & Gardens On your next visit, take a moment to experience A Place to Grow Our Souls, a stunning new mural by Chi Nwosu. Located in the hallway connecting the Desert House to the outdoor City Garden, this vibrant piece reflects themes of connection, care, and the beauty of our shared environment. Inspired by nature and community, the mural weaves together native and tropical plants, pollinators, and symbolic imagery, encouraging us to nurture our relationships with the Earth and one another. About the Artist: Chi Nwosu, a Black, nonbinary, queer Nigerian artist from Garfield Park, creates work that reimagines the world through love, curiosity, and collective liberation.  Visit soon and let this mural deepen your connection to the gardens and the stories they hold. Updates & Announcements Join Our Team: We're Hiring a Nature Education Teacher! Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance is looking for a passionate Nature Education Teacher to inspire young minds through hands-on nature education programs, unstructured play, and engaging lessons that spark curiosity about the natural world. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic, mission-driven environment. Learn more and apply today! Nature Education Teacher Become a Volunteer Tour Guide Love plants and sharing knowledge? Join our Volunteer Tour Guide team this spring! We’re looking for enthusiastic individuals to lead engaging tours and help visitors discover the beauty of the Conservatory. No experience needed—just a passion for learning and connecting with people! Our comprehensive training program covers plant identification, tour techniques, and the history of GPC. Sessions run from March 22 – April 12, 2025, and include hands-on practice. Apply by Friday, March 14, 2025, to be part of this exciting opportunity! Questions? Contact Quinton Sledge at qsledge at garfieldpark.org. APPLY HERE EVENTS & PROGRAMS Autogenerated Closed Captioning is Available at GPCA Virtual Programs In-Person Yoga with Natalie Wednesday, March 12, 6pm-7pm Tickets: $5 Unwind and reconnect at Garfield Park Conservatory with an in-person yoga session led by instructor Natalie. Surrounded by the soothing sounds of the fountain, this gentle Hatha Flow class is designed to help you slow down, move with intention, and find balance, no matter your experience level. Register For In-person Yoga w/ Natalie Beginning Beekeeping Class March 15, 9AM - 2PM Gerneral: $70 Members/Volunteers: $56 Step into the world of bees with Head Beekeeper Marcin Matelski! This engaging lecture-based class covers the essentials of beekeeping, from hive management and bee behavior to equipment and honey production. Whether you're considering keeping bees or just want to learn more, this course is your gateway to the buzz-worthy world of pollinators. March 15 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Garfield Park Conservatory Ages 16+ | No hands-on component with bees or hives Pre-registration required spots fill up fast! Scholarships available! Apply by March 9. Registration closes March 14 at 10 AM. Questions? Contact qsledge at garfieldpark.org. Register Ask a Master Gardener Saturdays March 8 and March 22, 10:30am-1pm Free Alternating Saturdays, there's a University of Illinois Extension Ask a Master Gardener table in Horticulture Hall to answer your plant questions. Make a reservation to visit them. Learn More Origami Open House 2nd Saturdays Saturday, March 8, 12pm - 3pm Free On the 2nd Saturday of the month, Chicago Area Origami Society presents a free drop-in Origami Open House to our visitors. Adults and kids accompanied by an adult are welcome. Free and open to the public. Registration is not required. If you’d like to visit the Conservatory before or after joining this program, please book a reservation. Learn More Intro To Applied Soil Science (Two-part series) Class 1: Wednesday, April 2 Class 2: Wednesday, April 9 6PM - 8:30PM Cost: $85 $68 Members/Volunteers Soil is more than just dirt—it’s the foundation of life! Join renowned soil ecologist Nance Klehm for an immersive two-part course exploring the hidden world beneath our feet. Learn how to assess, restore, and regenerate soil, even in urban environments, and gain hands-on skills for building healthier ecosystems. Hands-on, interactive learning Certificate of Completion for those who attend both sessions Perfect for gardeners, land stewards, and city dwellers Space is limited—register by March 28 to secure your spot! Questions? Contact Jasmine at jsawyer at garfieldpark.org Register Bee Package Installation Class w/ Marcin Sunday, April 6, 2:30PM - 3:30PM General: $30 Members/Volunteers: $24 New to beekeeping or looking for a refresher before the season starts? Join Head Beekeeper Marcin Matelski for a hands-on class in our apiary, where you'll learn how to install a package of bees, manage feeding, expand your colonies, and navigate the first crucial weeks. Weather permitting, we’ll also open an overwintered hive to explore an active colony in action. No experience required! Protective equipment available upon request. Scholarships available—apply by March 28. Questions? Contact Jasmine Sawyer at jsawyer at garfieldpark.org Register   SPRING BREAK 2025 Spring Break Fun at Garfield Park Conservatory Wednesday, March 26- Friday March 28 Free with reservation Looking for family-friendly activities over spring break? Join us for hands-on fun as we explore our worm bins, learn about composting, and enjoy interactive Storytime! Schedule Updates: Winter Wonderlands will take place on Saturdays, March 1 & 15, replacing Budding Botanists on those days. Spring Break Schedule Adjustments: The last week of March We’re adding an extra program day on Thursday, March 27, and replacing Morning Glories & Art After Dark that week with all-ages programming from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Book Your Visit FAMILY PROGRAMS Art after Dark Every Wednesday from 4pm - 7:30pm Get creative with our nature educators! Stop by Horticulture Hall to explore nature through art—fun for kids and adults of all ages.  Morning Glories Every Friday from 10am- 12pm Perfect for tiny nature explorers ages 0-3 and their caregivers! Join us for gentle, sensory-filled activities that spark curiosity and joy. Budding Botanist Every Saturday and Sunday from 11am-3pm Hands-on experiments and nature discoveries await! Each session is packed with interactive fun and learning for young botanists. Family Programs are made possible in part by The Dr. Scholl Foundation, Peoples Gas Community Fund and PNC Full Calendar Of Events OPEN WEDNESDAY FROM 10AM - 8PM ; THURSDAY- SUNDAY FROM 10AM - 5PM VISIT US | PHONE: 773.638.1766 Save The Date Save the Date: Earth Day at Garfield Park Conservatory! Join us on Saturday, April 19th, from 11 AM – 2 PM for a vibrant Earth Day celebration! Explore hands-on activities, creative workshops, and interactive exhibits that inspire sustainable living and environmental awareness. Let’s come together to reimagine a greener future—right here in the heart of Garfield Park!  Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details! Save the Date: Green Teacher Gathering – April 5, 2025 Garfield Park Conservatory is proud to partner with the Green Teacher Network for the Green Teacher Gathering on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the Academy for Global Citizenship. This year’s theme, "Cultivating Connections with Nature," will bring together educators, gardeners, community members, and sustainability advocates for a full day of interactive workshops, hands-on learning, and networking opportunities. Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Reception to follow) Location: Academy for Global Citizenship, 4942 W 44th St, Chicago, IL 7 CEUs available for educators Experience fresh, innovative ways to bring sustainability and outdoor learning into your classroom and community! Connect with like-minded educators, explore interactive workshops, and discover tools to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders. Spots are limited—secure yours today!  Register here:  For questions, contact gardens at openlands.org. Hands-On Beekeeping Class w/ Marcin Saturday, April 12, 2:30pm-3:30pm General: $30 Members/Volunteers: $24 Get up close with the hives! Join Head Beekeeper Marcin Matelski and our Urban Roots teen beekeepers for an interactive beekeeping session designed for beginners and those looking to expand their skills. This hands-on class covers seasonal hive management, swarm prevention, honey harvesting, and more—all while working directly with active beehives. Proctective gear available (or bring your own) Scholarships offered—apply by April 4. Questions? Contact jsawyer at garfieldpark.org. Register Support What Grows! At Garfield Park Conservatory & Gardens, we believe in the power of nature to inspire, heal, and connect us. When you become a member, you help provide equitable nature access, education programs and resources here on the West Side. Join/ Renew Today Momentum Coffee At GPC Wednesday-Sunday: 10am-3pm In Horticulture Hall Spring Into Momentum with Fresh Flavors! As we welcome the new season, Momentum Coffee is serving up the perfect spring-inspired drinks to brighten your day! Enjoy the invigorating Turmeric Ginger Chai Lemonade, savor the floral notes of the Honey Lavender Latte, or refresh with the vibrant Strawberry Matcha Latte. Swing by the coffee cart and sip your way into spring with these delicious seasonal flavors! Book a Reservation COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS The Legacy Families of West Garfield Park Connect with Legacy Families of West Garfield Park! Are you passionate about strengthening our community? Legacy Families of West Garfield Park is looking for dedicated individuals and neighborhood groups to join their growing network! Their mission is to increase the length and quality of life in West Garfield Park by fostering hope, prioritizing safety, and preventing displacement—all while providing valuable resources. Join an upcoming onboarding session to learn how you can make an impact. For more information, contact May Henderson at 773-287-5051 or email wgplegacyfamilies at gmail.org. Garfield Park Neighborhood Market Saturday, April 12, 10am -2pm The Hatchery 135 N. Kedzie Ave. Chicago IL 60612 Join us for the Garfield Park Neighborhood Market on Saturday, April 12, from 10am - 2pm at The Hatchery (135 N. Kedzie Ave) This indoor market features hyper -local produce grown in community gardens, along with unique goods from local entrepreneurs. Upcoming Dates: 04/12: Easter Market 05/10 Mother's Day Market For more information contact: 773-948-8989 LET'S BE FRIENDS           Follow @garfieldparkconservatory On Tik Tok! The Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance changes lives through the power of nature. We are a non-profit organization that works in partnership with the Chicago Park District. The Garfield Park Conservatory is owned and managed by the Chicago Park District and has showcased "landscape art under glass" for over 100 years on the West Side of Chicago.  Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance | 300 N. Central Park Ave. | Chicago, IL 60624 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://chicagocommunitygardens.org/pipermail/communications_chicagocommunitygardens.org/attachments/20250306/a9028f94/attachment-0001.html>