Event Types: Education

In an immersive forest setting with no locks, keys or clocks, Wigwam Escape’s thematic puzzles challenge game players to hunt, find water and prepare food similar to how Native people did for thousands of years prior to European contact. The Institute for American Indian Studies, proudly presents a new way to interact with history, a themed escape room, Wigwam Escape.

Our museum’s mission is to “preserve and educate through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality and knowledge of Native American cultures”. We chose an escape room setting as an interactive and captivating way to educate the public about how pre-contact Native peoples lived within their environment over 500 years ago. This hand-on experience of history is demonstrated through a series of custom puzzles and hand crafted set, complete with a full sized traditionally sourced wigwam.

The full experience is 90 minutes in the museum’s Research Center. This includes a pre-game orientation, the one hour escape room centerpiece, and post-game popcorn snack and discussion when your team returns to the 21st Century. The game is set for 3 to 7 players and the cost is $25 per person, or $20 for our museum members or students.

More than just a game, Wigwam Escape is built to teach through experience and foster dialogue in a game that’s dynamic, challenging and entertaining. Visit Wigwam Escape for this must-do team building experience for friends, families and co-workers.

For more information or to book your escape room, go to: wigwamescape.org.

Presented by Agnes Wnuk

Learn how to capture the light and shadow, colors and the structure of a garden. An initial classroom lesson will be followed by an extended drawing and painting session, with plenty of drawing and watercolor tips for managing painting outdoors. Participants will explore the many different materials available to artists for ease of painting in the field, and will experience the joy of painting surrounded by the beauty of nature that Hollister House Garden provides!

This plein air workshop at Hollister House Garden is taught by Agnes Wnuk. Her work has been exhibited in Connecticut and New York, and several pieces have been awarded prizes. She is the latest recipient of the annual Connecticut Historic Gardens Poster Contest. She has painted Hollister Garden on many a Wednesday morning over the past several years.

Open to all skill levels. Participants must bring all items on the Plein Air Painting Materials List and are strongly encouraged to bring a watercolor easel and a camping chair to facilitate a comfortable painting experience. Participants should also bring sun protection. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

In the event of rain, the workshop will be rescheduled for Wednesday, July 13 from 3:00-6:30 pm.

Advanced reservations are required, as capacity is limited.

Hollister House Garden Members $70 | Non-Members $85

REGISTER HERE

Presented by Betsy Rogers-Knox

True lilies are in the genus Lilium and they grow from true bulbs, unlike daylilies which grow from tubers. With their beautiful scents and often unique curved petals they are a delight in the garden. With careful observation learn to portray these beauties in watercolor with step- by-step demonstrations and plenty of personal attention. All skill levels welcome!

The watercolor workshops at Hollister House Garden are taught by Betsy Rogers-Knox. Betsy received a Certificate in Botanical Illustration from NYBG in 2006. Her work has been widely exhibited in the United States and at the Royal Horticultural Botanical Art Show in London where she was awarded the Silver Gilt Award.

Open to all skill levels. Participants should bring their own lunch, as well as all materials included in the Watercolor Basic Material List.

Hollister House Garden Members $95 |Non-Members $120

REGISTER HERE

Conservatives’ signature political achievement has been the expansion of the Supreme Court’s conservative majority, the capstone of a 30-year mission to restructure the courts in their own image. Case by case, the Supreme Court has rewritten the rules that have long structured the way we live, how we are governed, how we worship, and even who we are. Immigration. Health Care. Political representation. Reproductive and religious rights. . . It’s hard to find any aspect of daily life beyond the reach of the court’s sticky tentacles.

In the wake of one of the most consequential terms in the Supreme Court’s checkered history, Common Ground’s third forum of the season will debate the impact of the court’s restructuring and how it is exacerbating the country’s deep divisions.

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Presented by Jeanne Reiner

Poppies are a perfect example of opposing textures. The translucent petals emerge from a tiny capsule covered with hairs while the heads bob perilously atop spindly stems. The remarkable contrasts of this plant will be highlighted using numerous colored pencil techniques to capture its unique traits.

Jeanne Reiner is co-founder of the Tri-State Botanical Artists, a chapter of over 70 members of the internationally renowned American Society of Botanical Artists. She is a nationally recognized botanical artist who holds a certificate in botanical art from and teaches at the New York Botanical Garden.

Open to all skill levels. Participants should bring all items included in the Poppies Materials List.

HHG Members $95 | Non-members $120

REGISTER HERE

Hollister House Garden offers many creative photographic opportunities for knowledgeable users of smartphone/tablet cameras. This photo editing class, taught by Thad Kubis, will begin with an overview of basic in-camera systems operations, and will address a range of editing platforms: including, third party editing apps, Lightroom and Photoshop. This class is suitable for users of iPhone models 6 to 13 Pro Max and related updated tablets, and could be helpful for DSLR system users as well.

Following this overview, participants will practice their new skills in the garden. Thad will be present throughout for questions and consultation. The session concludes with a review and discussion and editing of selected images from the time in the garden.

Thaddeus Kubis is an editorial, documentary and fine art photographer and instructor with over 25 years of experience in all aspects of photography.

Participants should bring their own lunch, as well as a fully charged phone or tablet. Water, soft drinks and snacks will be provided.

HHG Members $95 | Non-members $120

REGISTER HERE