Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden will kick-off 2024 by hosting more than 30 fun and informative workshops, classes, and special events throughout the month of January, including a six day visit by the Sacred Arts Tour Monks from South India and the opening of the next major exhibition
ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN. For more info and/or to purchase tickets in advance, please visit:
https://www.mounts.org/events/2024-01/mounts.org
“We are launching the new year with an event-packed January, so we are inviting people of all ages to come out and enjoy many of the happy and healthy horticultural events at our beautiful 20-acre oasis, located just minutes from downtown West Palm Beach," invites Mounts Curator-Director Rochelle Wolberg.
January 7
Grand Opening of
ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Last entry at 3 p.m.)
$20 for adults; $18 for seniors (65+), college students, and military with ID; $13 for ages 6-17; and free for children under 6 and reciprocal gardens. Admission is by credit/debit card ONLY; no cash.
Created by Santa Fe artists Jennifer and Kevin Box, 20 larger-than-life sculptures inspired by the ancient Japanese art of origami will emerge skyward throughout Mounts—each one a stunning merger of art and nature enhancing and celebrating the verdant environment. Opening Day events will include:
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Ronin Taiko Japanese Drum Troupe – performances at 11 am and 1 pm
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Origami Paper Folding, including flowers, carrots, dogs, tigers, and hearts
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Cherry Blossom Painting
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Origami Coloring Book
- An on-going
Collaborative Community Art Project. Visitors will have the opportunity to fold origami hearts and write a wish for themselves, the community, the Garden, or the world. All of the origami wishes will be hung from branches, creating a piece of community art in the Mounts Pavilion.
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Food Trucks
Note: ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN will be on exhibit at Mounts Botanical Garden, January 7 through May 12, Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Last entry at 3 p.m.)
January 7
Sound & Cacao Serenity: Step into 2024 with an Open Heart
with Casa Rituals
Sunday, 10 a.m. to Noon
$35 Members $45 Nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 30 adults; classes are nonrefundable.
Upon arrival, a ceremonial smudging and blessing will be offered, creating a space to shed one's daily burdens. Participants will then be offered a cup of the finest ceremonial cacao, taking part in the sacred heart-opening cacao ceremony. The cacao serves to relax, unlock the heart chakra and make one more receptive to the forthcoming healing experience. Celebrate the arrival of the New Year with an intention-setting and flower blessing ceremony. Attendees will then ease into yoga nidra meditation, immersing in the soothing vibrations of gongs, crystal singing bowls, and other high-frequency instruments, allowing the healing elements to envelop each participant.
Notes: Please bring a yoga mat and blanket. Please no alcohol on the day of the ceremony and no caffeine three hours before and after the event.
January 9, 16, 23, 30
Gentle Yoga & Body Balance with Hegina Rodrigues
Tuesdays,
10 to 11 a.m.
$20 for members; $25 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 30 adults; classes are nonrefundable.
Come join in this body movement class designed for all abilities. Gentle yoga stretches combined with body balance movements will Increase your energy, improve stamina, stretch and strengthen muscles. This unique class will help you to stay motivated, refreshed, and relaxed. Yoga mat is optional. Chairs will be available for those who choose to not use a mat.
Classes are led by certified fitness/yoga instructor Hegina Rodrigues. The class will be held in the Pavilion near the entrance of the Garden. Class Supplies: yoga mat (optional), water, yoga block (optional).
January 9, 16, 23, 30
Watercolor at the Garden with Carl Stoveland
Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
$20 for members; $25 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission). Classes are nonrefundable.
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults.
Join artist Carl Stoveland and share the love of art and nature with fellow art enthusiasts. This class is for adults only. Bring your pencils, pens, paints sketchpad or watercolor pad, (or journal) and your favorite photographic device (i.e., cell phone camera or tablet). Some experience preferred. True newbies should consider the beginners class. Each week or two, the class will start a new painting project. Time will be split between demos by Stoveland and supervised painting time for participants. Subjects will be chosen by the instructor with assistance from the class.
January 9, 16, 23, 30
Beginner Watercolor with Carl Stoveland
Tuesdays, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
$20 for members; $25 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission). Classes are nonrefundable.
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults.
If you have always wanted to try watercolor but been overwhelmed by it then this is the class for you. Geared toward novice watercolor enthusiasts, this class will focus on the basics, focusing on a new technique and a simple painting each week. Join artist Carl Stoveland and share your love of art and nature with fellow art enthusiasts. This class is for adults only. Bring pencils, pens, paints sketchpad or watercolor pad, (or journal) and your favorite photographic device (i.e., cell phone camera or tablet). Each week or two, the class will start a new painting project. Time will be split between demos by Stoveland and supervised painting time for participants.
January 10, 17, 24, 31
Qi Gong with Roxanne Cumberland
Wednesdays, 10 to 11 a.m.
$10 for members; $18 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission). Classes are nonrefundable.
Registration is required; size of “inside" classes is limited to 20 adults.
Relieve stress and increase metabolism, flexibility, and strength. Qi Gong (pronounced chee-gong) is an ancient Chinese exercise and healing technique. The exercises include simple, slow movements (which mimic nature), meditation, and focused breathing—similar to Tai Chi but less structured.
January 12, 19
Mat Pilates in the Pavilion with Stephanie Pierce
Fridays, 10 to 11 a.m.
$20 for members; $25 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission). Classes are nonrefundable.
Registration is required; size is limited to
30 adults.
This mat Pilates class focuses on building strength, increasing flexibility, and reducing stress. The class incorporates contemporary Pilates repertoire with whole-person framework modalities. The exercises are low impact and excellent for enhancing mind-body connection. All levels are welcome, and modifications will be offered to ensure a pain-free experience. Class Supplies: yoga mat and water, exercise bands (optional), yoga block (optional), and hand/ankle weights (optional).
January 12, 14, 20
Forest Bathing: Nature Therapy Walks and Tea Ceremony with Kathy Andio
Friday, Saturday, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
$25 for members; $35 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults; classes are nonrefundable.
Forest Bathing—also known as Nature Therapy—is an immersive experience in nature that gives participants an opportunity to reset their outlook on life and have an encounter with nature in a way that they have never before experienced. It is a sensory practice away from phones, computers, and social media and back to what the body yearns for—a connection with nature, a sense of peace, a sense of relaxation, and a sense of being in the present moment. It provides the perfect time to become a human “be-ing" instead of a human “do-ing". During a Forest Bathing experience, attendees will be invited to slow down and reconnect with nature's perfect balance using their senses to see the sunlight playing through the leaves, smell the flowers, and feel and hear the gentle wind whispering to return to one's native roots and discover a deeper self. The nature encounter concludes with a tea ceremony to connect with other like-minded nature lovers. Forest Bathing has been scientifically proven to boost immune strength, lift depression, reduce stress, and improve sleep. But beyond these physiological changes, this contemplative experience demonstrates how important it is for well-being to take time in nature on a daily basis.
Note: Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before start time and bring a chair or yoga mat.
January 13
Walk with Professional Photographer Jerry Ginsberg
Saturday, 9 to 11:30 a.m.
$15 for members; $28 for nonmembers; $18 for Palm Beach County Photo Club Members (includes full Garden admission). Registration is required; class size is limited to 35 adults; classes are nonrefundable.
Too often photographers are intent on the grand landscape. But more often, much of the greatest natural beauty is found in the smaller details. Join Master Nature Photographer Jerry Ginsberg for a half-hour classroom session and learn such techniques as bokeh, which comes from a Japanese word, boke, meaning blur or haze, color theory; and how to make photographs really pop. This is followed by a walk through the ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN Exhibit where Ginsberg will share both the fundamental skills and many of the secrets used by the pros to make photos that consistently draw “Ahhhs" from viewers.
January 14, 28
Awakening Hearts: A Cacao Ceremony & Sound Immersion Experience with Casa Rituals
Sunday, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
$25 for members; $35 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 30 adults; classes are nonrefundable.
Under the guidance of instructors Marit Tuisk and David Lepp, participants will receive a ceremonial smudging and blessing upon arrival to release the burdens of day-to-day life and will be given a cup of the highest quality, Ceremonial Cacao to take part in a sacred heart-opening Cacao Ceremony. This will be followed by a Yoga Nidra mediation and deep sound healing during which everyone will be immersed in the healing energies of the Gong, Crystal singing bowls and other high-frequency instruments.
Note: Please bring a yoga mat or blanket, and do not drink alcohol on the day of the ceremony or consume caffeine three hours before and after the event.
January 14
Dogs' Day in the Garden
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last entry at 3 p.m.)
FREE for MBG members and children under 6; $15 for nonmember adults; $15 for seniors 65+, college students, and military with ID; $7 for children 6-17. Ticket includes full Garden admission.
Note: Dogs are FREE for Mounts members and $5 for nonmembers.
This dog-and-family-friendly monthly event is held throughout the Garden. Bring your favorite pooch and enjoy a relaxed garden stroll. There are many great spots to capture family photos for posting online with #mountsbotanicalgarden.
Guidelines:
- Non-retractable leashes only; retractable leashes are not permitted.
- No more than one dog per adult will be admitted.
- Rabies vaccination must be current.
- Visitors should bring their own water and treats for the puppies.
January 19
A Newcomer's Guide for Gardening in Florida with Nada Vergili
Friday, 10 a.m. to Noon
$25 for members; $35 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 20 adults; classes held inside; classes are nonrefundable.
In this informative class and walking tour through our gardens, we'll discuss which plants thrive in a sub-tropical climate, how to improve your soil quality, what to plant in sun/shade (or a little bit of both), and how to avoid common mistakes people make when moving to South Florida. Conquer your fears and let's do gardening the South Florida way!
January 20, February 17, April 13
Origami Paper Folding Class for Families with Reiko Nishioka
Saturdays,
10 to 11:30 a.m.
$7 for member adults; member kids Free; $12 for nonmember adults; nonmember kids $5 (includes full Garden admission). This is a family class. Kids are welcome; must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required; class size is limited; classes are nonrefundable.
The large sculptures throughout the Garden are an inspiration to make Origami art. Come learn how to fold a square of paper and create a piece similar or identical to the large Origami in the Garden. Each class will focus on a different category and students will learn how to fold up to eight different figures to take home. The instructor will give step-by-step instructions from simple to intermediate folds. All materials will be provided.
Note: January, Origami Flowers; February, Origami Animals, April, Birds.
January 20, February 17, April 13
Origami Paper Folding Class for Adults with Reiko Nishioka
Saturdays,
12:30 to 2 p.m.
$15 for members; $25 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 20 adults; classes are nonrefundable.
The large sculptures throughout the Garden are an inspiration to make Origami art. Come learn how to fold a square of paper and create a piece similar or identical to the large Origami in the Garden. Each class will focus on a different category and students will learn how to fold up to eight different figures to take home. The instructor will give step-by-step instructions from simple to intermediate folds. All materials will be provided.
Note: January, Origami Flowers; February, Origami Animals, April, Birds.
January 20
Start Your Ikebana Journey: Sogetsu Ikebana Demonstration with Sogetsu Sensei Stephan Eberhagen
Saturday, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
FREE for members; $30 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; classes are nonrefundable.
Mounts is honored to welcome Sogetsu Sensei Stephan Eberhagan to demonstrate and speak about the fascinating usage of color, line, and the importance of free style in the Sogetsu School of Ikebana's approach to the Art of Japanese flower arranging. Sensei Stephan will give a short overview of Ikebana history followed by a hands-on demonstration showing the Sogetsu teaching approach and explaining the spiritual and philosophic aspects of this most wonderful type of Ikebana. "Such beauty is momentary and yet it is as if that momentariness is transformed into a beauty of a higher order. This momentariness of a higher order expresses eternity," according to Keiji Nishitani,
The Japanese Art of Arranged Flowers.
January 22-26
Sacred Arts Tour Monks
Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
$25 per day for Nonmember Adults; $18 for Nonmember Children (includes Garden admission); $5 per day for Members (Garden admission is free with membership).
Tickets may be purchased in advance online or the day of the event at the Welcome Center.
Join Mounts Botanical Garden in welcoming the monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery who are renowned for the Sacred Art of Sand Mandala Construction. They will be creating an Avaloketeshvara Sand Mandala (Chenrezig), which is the Buddha of generating compassion, love. and peace. Construction of a mandala of this size and intricacy takes 5-7 days to complete with multiple monks working on it for 5-6 hours a day. Each day's events include opening ceremonies and informal conversation with the monks as the mandala is created. Before and after working on the mandala each day, the monks recite prayers in the traditional overtone chanting, with each monk singing a full chord of three notes. The prayers are often accompanied by delicate hand gestures, cymbals, drums, horns, and flutes. General Admission includes full access to the Sacred Arts Tour mandala making, prayer ceremonies, and the Tibetan Marketplace for the day.
Opening Ceremony begins at 10:00 am each day.
Closing ceremony begins at 3:00 pm each day.
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January 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
Authentic Tibetan Marketplace
Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Sacred Art monks of Drepung Gomang bring with them Tibetan merchandise with Buddhist religious symbols and mantras. Much of the merchandise is made by the monks living at the monastery and helps to support those studying there with living expenses and medical care. Full-day access to the Authentic Tibetan Marketplace is included with your general admission ticket.
All proceeds from the marketplace go directly to the monks of the Drepung Gomang Monastery.
Mala Making with Sacred Arts Tour Monks
Tuesday, 1 to 2 p.m.
Workshop only: $10 per person (does not include Garden admission)
Mala beads have been around for over 3,000 years and are rooted in Buddhism. They are used as a spiritual accessory and to help you focus your mind during meditation. This workshop is fun for adults and children with adult supervision. The tour monks will explain the use of the mala and guide participants in creating your own wrist mala. All supplies are included in the workshop.
Pet Blessing with Sacred Arts Tour Monks
Wednesday, 1 p.m.
$5 per pet; human companion's admission to the garden is $20 for adults and $13 for children. Free admission for members.
*Please note: Animals are not permitted inside the building for the Sacred Arts Tour.
Meant to bestow good fortune and blessings upon your furry family members, the pet blessing will imprint seeds of happiness for the animals. The mantras recited are for health and success in this life and the next ones. Bring your pet to the Garden and have them personally blessed by the monks. All animals must be under control at all times by a leash or crate.
Pet tags for the Sacred Arts Tour will be available for purchase after the blessing for $5 each.
Credit Cards only.
Authentic Tibetan Cooking Class & Dinner with Sacred Arts Tour Monks
Friday, 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Cooking class starts at 5:30pm; dinner 7:00pm - 9:00pm
$115 per person. Cooking class and dinner is limited to 30 adults.
Eat, relax, and have fun. Learn traditional Tibetan food preparation and cooking techniques with a hands-on experience making Momos, Naan and Thenthuk with the monks. Casually socialize and eat dinner with the monks as you have a night filled with amazing authentic Tibetan food you helped to prepare. Don't worry about language differences, sharing food is universal and requires little conversation. End the night with a prayer ceremony and house blessing. This is a-once-in-a-lifetime experience and spots are extremely limited, so reserve your seats early. Adults only please.
Sacred Arts Tour Cultural Pageant and Final Closing Ceremony
General Admission: $30 for Nonmembers Adults $23 for Nonmember Children (includes Garden admission); $10 for Members (Garden admission is free with membership)
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Morning ceremony follows the same practice as Monday through Friday.
Saturday, Noon
Experience ancient Tibetan cultural rituals, including the snow lion dance, good luck dance, monk dance, sacred chants, prayers, and monastic debate, bringing authentic Tibetan traditions to life.
Saturday, 4 p.m.
The closing ceremony includes prayers, chanting, deconstruction of the mandala, and sharing the blessed sand with those in attendance.