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Creative growth in Cranbourne

Dimity Barber

02Jul08

Lindy Harris, with floral art, and David Wong, nature art, at Cranbourne Botanic gardens. n01cs302.

CASEY residents are able to tap into their creativity this winter at Cranbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens.

Gardens staff have put together an art program designed to give participants tips on how to get arty with nature.

Gardens' horticulturist Lindy Harris will headline with a floating flora workshop on Saturday, July 19.

Ms Harris said Australian plants, and objects like sticks, pebbles and seeds were ideal materials to create beautiful floating floral designs.

"The beauty of this form of floral display is it is simple and effective and anyone can do it," Ms Harris said.

"It's a question of choosing the right balance of elements in order to create simple, restful, floral creations.

"It's all about showing people how to open their eyes to what's available around them to create beautiful themed displays.

"It opens up a whole new world to floral arrangements."

Well-known artist and educator David Wong will tomorrow explore how children can use art to connect with nature with his art-in-nature workshop.

The two-hour, hands-on session for childcare professionals and parents will focus on ways to unlock a child's imagination through discovery and play.

"In this workshop the carers will have the same experience that the kid's have. And in doing so, they will discover things anew.

"It's about empowering the carers," Mr Wong said.

And, on July 16, Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne landscape planner Jill Burness will lead a behind-the-scenes tour of the award-winning garden.

Ms Burgess is expected to offer an insight into how planning for stage two of the Australian Garden is progressing.

* For more information on the program or to book for any of the sessions, phone 5990 2245.