Experience Level: Beginner Learn how to grow herbs in the Central Illinois climate and then taste how they are used in a meal at Cooking with Herbs on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m in the Herb Garden and Mansion Carriage House. Join Kay Karnes, Master Gardener and Mid-America Gardener panelist, in the Herb […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn to work with 11/0 glass seed beads at Beaded Jewelry on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 12 to 4 p.m. in The Studio. Instructor Billie Theide will lead students through making a pair of beaded earrings, sharing a variety of techniques and finishes. These same techniques can be applied to jewelry that functions as […]

Experience Level: All levels (ages 16+) Grab a smock, roll up your sleeves and dive into the art of portraits at Experimental Portraiture Painting on Sunday, Aug. 10 from 12-4 p.m. in The Studio. Instructor Vivian Krishnan will help students learn experimental approaches to portraiture using charcoal, ink, paints and more. Studies will be done […]

Experience Level: Beginner Make your own acrylic pour creation and enjoy time with other artists at Acrylic Pour Painting on Sunday, Aug. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. Instructor Alexis Henson of Alexis Walter Creations will introduce students to the artistic and spontaneous experience of abstract fluid art as they learn […]

Artist-in-Resident Joha Harrison will facilitate an evening of creating community-based art at A Community Collage: An Artist-in-Residence Outreach Event on Monday, Aug. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion Library. In an open-house style setting, Harrison, a California-based photographer and painter, will help participants create an abstract collage that will be turned into […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn how to make beautiful and delicious focaccia bread at Focaccia Art on Tuesday, Aug. 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Mansion Carriage House. Instructor Leah Bodine will lead students through the process of this unique art form, making focaccia bread from scratch, then ‘painting’ it with vegetables and herbs to […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn how to craft a unique basket at Basket Weaving: Bloom on Friday, Aug. 15 from 12 to 4 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. Instructor Bonnie Rideout will lead students through the making of a woven filled base using a ‘D’ handle. Students will learn twining, starting and stopping, and the use of overlays. Accent colors […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the skills of improvisation, including scene creation and team dynamics at Improve Your Improv on Thursdays, Aug. 21 through Oct. 2 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Music Barn. Instructor Kyle Tasch returns to The Farms to teach this popular course, which will be jam-packed with improvisational fun that uses both short-form […]

Experience Level: All skill levels Make your vacation photos into works of art at Watercolor Travel Journal on Friday through Sunday, Aug. 22-24 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. Instructor Deb Marett will teach the basics of watercolor painting, drawing skills and putting a layout together to create pages in journals that capture memories and […]

Experience Level: Beginner (all ages)Get a first-hand look at how honey bees manage hive activity at Beehive Observation on April 19* and 27, May 11 and 25, June 8 and 22, July 6 and 20 and Aug. 3, 17 and 31 from 1 to 3 p.m. in The Studio and outside at the beehives. (Each […]

Allerton provides the perfect setting to relax, unwind, and reconnect with your body and spirit at Fall Yoga on Tuesdays, Sept. 2 through Oct. 28 from 9 to 10 a.m. in The Meadow. All levels are welcome for this donation-based class. Josie Heck from Yoga Off the Square will lead students through strengthening poses and […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn to paint on a beautiful surface at Santorini Stone Painting on Wednesday, Sept. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion Solarium. Mined in Greece, Santorini stone is a strikingly white and sparkling natural stone, often cut and polished for construction and landscape purposes. Instructor Sara Gentry will show how this smooth […]