Boston Flora

Tag: Penn State University

  • Monday, October 9, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Artful Rainwater Design: Stormwater Designs that Enhance Aesthetics

    The concept of Artful Rainwater Design, a term coined by Dr. Sturart Echols and Ms. Eliza Pennypacker, is based on the premise that stormwater management can be designed such that new site amenities are created. These amenities result in greater user satisfaction and perceived value. Looking at rainwater-focused projects nationwide, the presenters  in this October 9 webinar will discuss how these designs transformed the treatment of stormwater into attractive landscapes with educational and recreational components. They will look at specific examples of built designs, explain the principles behind the idea, and discuss the barriers and challenges that need to be addressed for Artful Rainwater Design to become a typical approach to stormwater management. They will look at the work of other designers and offer ideas for future possibilities utilizing their creative, place-making approach to stormwater management.

    Dr. Stuart Echols, is an Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at Penn State University. His interests focus on integrating two aspects of stormwater design: utility and amenity. Through his research, Dr. Echols has developed a method of stormwater design that integrates the landscape and stormwater and that seeks to restore and preserve natural hydrology. He received his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in environmental design and planning. He coauthored the book Artful Rainwater Design: Creative Ways to Manage Stormwater.

    Eliza Pennypacker has been a faculty member in Penn State University’s Department of Landscape Architecture since 1982 and is currently the Head of the Department. She has taught a wide range of courses, including the History of Landscape Architecture and all levels of design studio. Professor Pennypacker’s research focuses on what she refers to as Artful Rainwater Design: stormwater management that not only mitigates quality and quantity of runoff, but that also celebrates rainwater in a way that educates or entertains visitors. She has written and presented on this topic extensively, and in collaboration with Stuart Echols, recently published a book, Artful Rainwater Design: Creative Ways to Manage Stormwater.

    The webinar is sponsored by the Ecological Landscape Alliance and is free for ELA members, $10 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/webinar-artful-rainwater-design-stormwater-designs-enhance-aesthetics/

  • Wednesday, November 9 – Thursday, November 10 – Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo

    The biennial Northeast Greenhouse Conference & Expo is co-sponsored by New England Floriculture, Inc. – a group of grower representatives from the Northeast, augmented by University and Cooperative Extension staff in each state, who specialize in greenhouse crops and management. Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn, share and connect with other industry professionals. The conference takes place at the Holiday Inn in Boxborough on November 9 and 10. There will be educational sessions, and don’t miss DAZED AND INFUSED. Join Sue Adams, Adams Farm and Greenhouses, for an educational cocktail hour on Tuesday evening featuring specialty cocktails using herbs and other plants. Advance registration is required. No charge to attend, and cash bar will be available.

    Sign up to have breakfast Thursday morning with a presenter who is an expert in your area of interest. Presenters and their topics will include: Sinclair Adam, Penn State University (Perennials); Mandy Bayer, University of Massachusetts (Irrigation, plant height control); Raymond Cloyd, Kansas State University (Insect pests and controls); Stephanie Cohen, Perennial Diva (Perennials); Chris Currey, Iowa State University (Greenhouse herbs, greenhouse environment); Kathy Kelly, Penn State University (Social Media); Tom Manning, Rutgers University (Greenhouse design, energy efficiency); Jeffrey Marstaller, Cozy Acres Greenhouses (Zero emissions, Advanced biocontols); Anna Meyerhoff, Bassett Healthcare Network (Worker protection); Kelly Norris, Des Moines Botanical Gardens (Iris, perennials, marketing); Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, Buglady Consulting (Biocontrols of pests); Brian Whipker, North Carolina State University (Plant Diagnostics, PGRs). Advance registration is required. Tickets are $25. For complete information and registration visit http://www.negreenhouse.org/html/show_info.shtml

  • Mondays, March 9 – April 13, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm – Botanical Illustration with Graphite

    Botanical illustration has been a practiced art for hundreds of years. This Boston Center for Adult Education course will give you a brief overview of the history of this art form and will show you the basics of how to draw flowers and plants with shading, perspective and form in graphite. We will begin with basic graphite techniques and move on to simple flower and plant structure. Students will learn about composition, light and methods to make your artwork “alive.” Each week will focus on a different flower provided by the instructor. Medium used will be graphite pencils.

    Materials List:
    11×14 pad Strathmore drawing paper – 400 series (brown or green cover; NOT yellow 300 series)
    11×14 pad tracing paper (Canson preferred)
    Set of graphite pencils (at least 2B, HB and 2H; you do not need more than that) – Faber- Castill or Prismacolor best brands
    Kneaded grey erasers (2)
    Battery operated pencil sharpener (Panasonic KP-4A is BEST; available online but lesser models should be okay)

    The instructor is Nancy Bentivegna. Nancy Bentivegna was born and raised in Ithaca, NY. Art was always her favorite subject in school and she pursued this passion in the art program at Penn State University where she earned her B.A. After college, she worked in marketing and advertising with several large firms in New York. In 1999, she started her own design firm, Kester House, and began creating custom home décor for clients throughout the New York metropolitan area. Her works include furniture, murals, decorative accent pieces and soft goods (pillows, linens, etc.). In 2008 she began the Botanical Art and Illustration Program at the New York Botanical Garden. Ms. Bentivegna completed all course work in June 2011 and then relocated to Boston. She primarily works in watercolor combined with colored pencil for depth and detail. Her works have been displayed in specialty shops in Connecticut and her original botanical artwork is part of private collections from New York to Florida.

    Classes will meet Mondays, March 9 – April 13, from 7:30 – 9:30 at the BCAE, 122 Arlington Street in Boston. The fee is $204 ($173 for BCAE members) with a materials cost of $15. Register online at http://www.bcae.org/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=12403&int_category_id=1&int_sub_category_id=1&int_catalog_id=0, or call 617-267-4430.