DATE: April 23, 2009

CONTACT: Claiborne Linvill, 864-656-6205
linvill@clemson.edu

WRITER: Claiborne Linvill, 864-656-6205
linvill@clemson.edu

S.C. Botanical Garden and Bob Campbell Geology Museum May classes and events

CLEMSON - The S.C. Botanical Garden and Bob Campbell Geology Museum has many events scheduled for May. For additional event information visit: www.clemson.edu/scbg. Register in advance by calling 864-656-3405 or e-mail scbg@clemson.edu.

Ongoing: Garden Yoga

Renee Gahan leads Vinyasa Yoga classes, open to every skill level. In Vinyasa Yoga, students move through a series of postures focusing on the breath. Attention is paid to proper alignment, and guidance is provided in how to develop poses in the body. For more information, visit Gahan's website: http://clemsonyoga.typepad.com/.
Time: Tuesday and Thursdays, 6-7:15 p.m; Saturdays, 10-11:15 a.m.
Fee: $12 drop-in; $50 for five-class pass: $35 for fulltime students; $60 for monthly pass
Location: Hayden Conference Center in the S.C. Botanical Garden

Garden Sprouts – for children ages 3-5 and a caregiver
Young children will discover the wonders of the Garden in our preschool program led by Sue Watts. Blending the Garden's unique resources with imaginative and fun ways to learn about plants and animals, Watts will introduce a new theme each week, offering a program full of discovery, observation, songs, crafts, walks and engaging activities to captivate young minds.

Session 1: Wednesdays, April 29 - May 20

Session 2: Wednesdays, June 3 - 24

Fee: $40 for each four-week session ($35 for SCBG members & volunteers)
Wednesdays, 10-11:30 a.m.
Location: Nature Learning Center in the S.C. Botanical Garden

Friday, May 1

First Friday Garden Walk

Meet with David Bradshaw or a Garden staff member for a unique exploration of the Garden.

Time: 7 a.m. (hike lasts one to two hours)

Fee: Free

Location: Meet in the caboose parking lot in the S.C. Botanical Garden

Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3

Pop Open Studio Tour

Join the Open Studio Tour of Pickens, Oconee and Pendleton. Visit the Lee Gallery, the Arts Center (Clemson), the Blue Ridge Arts Center, the Garden's Featured Artists Galleries and more to watch artists at work and see their creations. In the Garden, artists will be working on the Discovery Center Lawns and in the Carriage House.

Time: Sat., 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Sun. Noon-5 p.m.

Fee: Free (pieces will be available for sale)

Location: Begins at the Arts Center in Clemson

Thursday, May 7

Jewelry Class: Wire Wrapping and Illusion Necklaces

This class will help participants learn to make simple and wrapped wire loops and a hook clasp. For illusion necklaces (airy, lightweight pieces that use a scattering of beads to add interest), participants will learn how to make beads stay in place and how to make a professional closure using cones. Materials are included, but bring reading glasses or a magnifying glass if you have trouble seeing bead holes and a notebook and pen. 

Time: 2-4 p.m.

Fee: $38 ($35 for members and volunteers)

Location: Bob Campbell Geology Museum in the S.C. Botanical Garden

Sunday, May 10

Mother's Day Tea in the Garden

Join us to celebrate Mother's Day with an afternoon tea service on the beautiful lawns of the Fran Hanson Discovery Center.  Come dressed in your best hat and be prepared to relax and enjoy time with your family.

Reservations must be made by May 1.

Time: 2-4 p.m.

Fee: Tickets are $50, and includes tea for two, as well as a gift membership for your mother to the Garden for one year.  Additional guests are welcome at $10 each. 

Location: Fran Hanson Discovery Center Lawns in the S.C. Botanical Garden

Saturday, May 16

International Museum Day and Open House

Take this opportunity to visit the Museum when all curators are available to answer your questions, identify your treasures and take you on an adventure of learning about the earth. Activities for families include mineral and shark tooth sieving, t-shirt and face painting and more.

Time: 1- 4 p.m.

Fee: Free      

Location: Bob Campbell Geology Museum

Thursday, May 21

Nature Discovery Hike: Forest Dwellers

Join Education Curator Christian Cicimurri to explore the plants, animals and even insects that live within the forests of the Garden. This walk is appropriate for all ages; however, strollers and other wheeled devices are not recommended. Inclement weather will cancel the hike.

Time: 1-2 p.m.

Fee: $2 suggested donation

Location: Meet at the Discovery Center parking lot in the S.C. Botanical Garden

Art Gallery

Visit the Featured Artist Gallery in the Fran Hanson Discovery Center to see a rotating collection of artwork by artisans inspired by the materials, nature and beauty of the Upstate. Up to six artists at a time, all connected to the Upstate area, showcase their work together. At least one new artist rotates into the collection each month, so there's always something new to see. Artwork ranging from paintings to ceramics, baskets to photography are available for sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the South Carolina Botanical Garden.

The Fran Hanson Discovery Center also houses the Elizabeth Belser Fuller Gallery, permanently showcasing Fuller's extensive collection of wildflower and nature paintings.

Gallery Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Admission: Free

Location: The Fran Hanson Discovery Center in the S.C. Botanical Garden

GARDEN INFORMATION

Be a Garden Volunteer

No matter what your background or the time you have available, there is a place for you at the S.C. Botanical Garden. Volunteer opportunities are available in grounds maintenance and gardening, education programs, special events, and visitor services. Call the Garden at 864-656-3405 or email scbg@clemson.edu or visit www.clemson.edu/public/scbg/support/volunteer.html.

Special Event Planning at the Garden

Whether you're planning a business meeting, party or wedding, the S.C. Botanical Garden offers a beautiful setting for your important day. Call Judith Gardner, Garden rental manager, for more information at 864-656-3075, email scbg@clemson.edu or visit www.clemson.edu/public/scbg/events/rentals/.

Gift Shops

The Garden Gift Shop and the Bob Campbell Geology Museum Gift Shop offer unique gifts for children and adults, including beautiful handcrafted gift items by local artists, gardening and geology books, t-shirts, local food items, jewelry and more. The Garden Gift Shop is located at the Fran Hanson Discovery Center and is open Monday to Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Campbell Geology Museum is open Wednesday to Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.  Call 864-656-3405 for more information, or visit www.clemson.edu/public/scbg/shop.html.

Hours of Operation

The Garden is open from dawn until dusk 365 days a year.

Discovery Center and Garden Gift Shop Hours: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free.

Bob Campbell Geology Museum Hours: Wednesday to Saturday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Museum admission: $3 for adults and $2 for children ages 12 and under. Annual passes available. Free admission for members.

General Information

The South Carolina Botanical Garden is located on the Clemson University campus at the intersection of Highway 76 and Perimeter Road. The Garden encompasses 295 acres of display gardens, nature trails, woodlands and streams, and is open year-round from dawn to dusk, free of charge. The Garden is partially supported by the state of South Carolina via Clemson University, but relies on private funding, memberships and proceeds from educational events to continue operations. Contact the Visitors Center for more information at (864) 656-3405 or scbg@clemson.edu, or visit www.clemson.edu/scbg.

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