Art in Motion: 25 Years of Sculpture by George Sherwood

Art in Motion at New England Botanic Garden Explore an extraordinary collection of kinetic sculptures, masterfully crafted by artist and engineer George Sherwood. Art in Motion spans an impressive 25 years of Sherwood’s artistic journey, showcasing 17 intricate stainless-steel sculptures that move in the wind and reflect the sunlight. Drawing inspiration from patterns and perspectives in nature such as birds in flight, ripples and reflections on the surface of water, and floral forms, each sculpture captures the dynamic forces of nature and reflects the beauty of our living world. Art in Motion invites visitors to New England Botanic Garden to find moments of tranquility and joy while considering the subtle, ongoing changes taking place in the natural world around us. Each sculpture featured in Art in Motion varies in shape, size, and movement, ranging from smaller more intimate sculptures to large-scale works reaching up to 21 feet. A collection of Sherwood’s work, Wind, Waves and Light, was featured at New England Botanic Garden in 2019. A few favorites from this collection return as part of Art in Motion along with pieces not previously displayed at the Garden and one new, never-before-seen sculpture. Discover them all this spring, summer, and fall! Guided golf cart tours of the exhibition are available Thursdays from 11 – 11:45AM. Learn more at https://nebg.org/art-in-motion/.

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

Chinese Empresses by Xiang Li at New England Botanic Garden

Experience the inspiring work of internationally acclaimed artist Xiang Li in a captivating exhibition celebrating historical empresses of China. Exhibiting for the first time in full, this impressive collection features over 200 empresses intricately hand-painted on silk using traditional Chinese watercolor techniques. Informed by decades of research, study, and practice, Xiang Li’s portrayals of each empress incorporate elements of nature, in particular floral forms, conveying the rich sense of symbolism woven into traditional Chinese culture and honoring the unsung women who shaped dynasties. Chinese Empresses will be on display in the Milton and Fern Galleries at New England Botanic Garden. While the exhibition is on view, visitors can enjoy a number of exciting learning opportunities and engaging programs to further enrich the experience of Xiang Li’s artwork. The Garden Shop will also be featuring a new exhibition book by Xiang Li and co-author Fei Wu, as well as a variety of products that feature the beautiful and empowering images from the Chinese Empresses exhibition. Learn more at: https://nebg.org/chinese-empresses/

Thursday Summer Evenings at New England Botanic Garden

June &amp; July | 5–9PM August | 5–8PM Unplug, recharge, and escape to New England Botanic Garden this summer. Enjoy live music from talented local musicians, sip refreshing craft beers and cocktails, play lawn games, and savor delicious dinner specials. Wander the Garden’s woodland trails, admire the vibrant summer blooms, and enjoy colorful sunsets over the Wachusett Reservoir. Plus, discover an exciting lineup of workshops and classes for all ages — perfect for sparking creativity and connecting with nature. Let the summer fun begin! Thursday evenings are perfect for an after-work social, a fun night with friends, or a memorable evening with your family. Your new favorite tradition awaits! More information at: <a href="https://nebg.org/thursday-summer-evenings/">https://nebg.org/thursday-summer-evenings/</a>

Yoga at the Garden: Summer Twilight Yoga - Tuesdays

Join us Tuesday and Thursday evenings this summer to unwind, relax, and stretch in the peaceful setting of the Garden. Our repeat yoga classes are gentle-to-moderate flow, designed for all levels. The class will be held outdoors, weather permitting. Please bring your own mat and any props. <a>Tuesdays</a>

Chinese Brush Painting: Poppies

Create, sip, and unwind as you explore the art of Chinese brush painting surrounded by the summer beauty of the Garden at sunset.&nbsp;&nbsp; This class introduces you to the four treasures of Chinese brush painting - ink stone, ink sticks, brush, and paper - while guiding you through painting techniques for poppies and butterflies. Through demonstration and hands-on practice, you’ll develop skills in brushwork and composition inspired by the peaceful beauty of the Garden.&nbsp; Take this two-hour class to relax, create, and meditate through art.&nbsp;

Speaker Series: Behind the Canvas with Xiang Li

Discover the powerful stories and artistry behind Chinese Empresses in an evening with acclaimed artist Xiang Li. Join us for an inspiring evening with artist Xiang Li as she delves into the stories, symbolism, and creative process behind her Chinese Empresses exhibit. Discover how traditional Chinese aesthetics merge with contemporary techniques in her striking portraits. The Chinese Empresses exhibit is on view at New England Botanic Garden from June 14 to August 24.

Crafts & Cocktails: Bloom & Sip – Dahlia Night in the Garden

Stroll through the summer Garden with local flower farmer Niki Pinckney of Pepper and Fern. Learn about sustainable cut flower growing, get expert tips on dahlia tuber care, and design your own beautiful bouquet to take home. Meet Your Instructor: Niki Pinckney, Pepper &amp; Fern Floral Design Niki is the owner of Pepper &amp; Fern Floral Design, where she and her team specialize in weddings and events, retail flowers, and growing annuals and perennials to use in their designs and in their floral CSAs. Passionate about the artistry of floral design, we love creating and teaching unique designs that evoke emotion through texture and color.&nbsp;

Seasonal Pruning: Late Summer at New England Botanic Garden

Learn late-summer pruning techniques for spring-flowering shrubs and trees that bloom on last season's growth. Learn the the best pruning methods to encourage healthy growth and a vibrant floral display.&nbsp;

Crafts & Cocktails: Botanical Silk Painting

Create your own vibrant, botanical-inspired artwork on silk in this beginner friendly workshop. Learn basic painting techniques and explore color blending as you design a one-of-a-kind piece to take home. All materials provided - no experience needed. Meet Your Instructor: Lidia Mikhaylova I enjoy expressing the world around me through my paintings, and I love putting the reality of everyday life on the canvas using colors and shapes. The purpose of my art is to inspire people to see the hidden beauty in the simplicity of their surroundings. Too often we are waiting for miracles but forgetting to look right in front of us. There is a lot of beauty in everyday life! In order to notice it, we simply need to pause, look around… and maybe ask yourself a question: what brings richness to my life?

Gentle Yoga with Aromatherapy at New England Botanic Garden

Join us at New England Botanic Garden for a calming yoga class in our secret garden. Flow with slow-paced movement to nourish the body, mind and soul in gentle postures, ending with a light meditation. Soft candlelight and aromatherapy create a warm ambiance, with compassionate guidance offered through each movement. Reconnect with yourself in a safe space of serenity and self-care. You will leave feeling blissful! All levels are welcomed.

Arias Aloft: Midsummer Magic at New England Botanic Garden

Join New England Botanic Garden for a magical evening of opera and circus where soaring voices meet sky-high acrobatics in an unforgettable open-air spectacle. Circus 617 and Opera on Tap Boston combine two thrilling art forms set against the blooming backdrop of New England Botanic Garden during this captivating experience. Featuring vocal and aerial acrobatics performed by some of Boston’s leading circus artists and classical singers, this performance showcases opera, musical theater, and cabaret classics paired with breathtaking original circus acts. Inspired by the summer blooms and stunning landscapes of the Garden, Arias Aloft: Midsummer Magic invites audiences to experience a world of whimsy, wonder, and the mystical beauty of nature—capturing the true enchantment of a New England summer. More information and tickets at https://nebg.org/arias-aloft/.

Crafts & Cocktails: Hammer Time! Botanic Printmaking

Unwind with a creative evening at the Garden during our Crafts &amp; Cocktails series, held every Wednesday in July and August. These sessions feature hands-on workshops in art, photography, and floral design during golden hour, and include one complimentary drink—beer, wine, soft drinks, canned cocktails, or the evening’s signature mixed drink.&nbsp; Welcome in the summer season and join us for a hands-on workshop, where we’ll explore the art of flower hammering - a simple, creative process that uses real blooms to transfer their natural dyes onto fabric. Shannon, from smr design company., will guide you through prepping fabric, selecting flowers, and creating your own nature-printed design. You’ll also learn helpful tips for working with seasonal plants and how to keep experimenting with natural dyes at home. You'll leave with a custom designed tote bag imprinted with the colors and textures of summer flowers and the knowledge to keep exploring this beautiful craft on your own. Whether you’re a gardener, artist, or simply someone who loves connecting with nature in creative ways, this workshop is a lovely way to honor the season and make something truly special.

Walk & Talk with the Artist: Xiang Li at New England Botanic Garden

Walk &amp; Talk with the Artist: Chinese Empresses with Xiang Li and Fei Wu Join internationally acclaimed artist Xiang Li and her daughter Fei Wu for an intimate guided tour of their exhibit, Chinese Empresses. Explore the rich stories woven into each hand-painted silk tapestry, learn about the traditional techniques behind this ancient art form, and discover its fascinating connections to botanical history. Artist Bio&nbsp; Xiang Li is an internationally acclaimed artist specializing in reproducing and restoring ancient Chinese paintings at the Forbidden City of Beijing, China, where she worked as a Master Artist for 37 years. Li’s most recent collection, Chinese Empresses, features over 200 empresses painted with gemstone watercolors on silk and has been showcased at museums across Massachusetts including the Harvard Museums, Worcester Art Museum, Jean McDonough Arts Center (JMAC), Cambridge Library, and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Burnt & Inked: All-Day Fiery Printmaking Workshop at New England Botanic Garden

Step into the flames literally and explore the full creative process behind dramatic botanical prints. In this immersive, full-day workshop, lean to safely scorch your own wood tree plate using fire, carve into the charred surface and hand-print bold, layered works of art. Meet Your Instructor: Alyson Prokop With over a decade of experience in botanical research, education, and garden management, Alyson brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to NEBG and the Education Team. In her role as Manager of Adult Education, Alyson is passionate about advancing plant sciences learning and biodiversity through inclusive initiatives at botanical gardens. Her dedication to promoting botanical education is evident in her previous work at Royal Botanical Gardens Canada, where she coordinated workshops, tours, and community programming with a strong focus on food security issues. Alyson's background includes formal training in plant sciences and economic botany, holding a BSc in Plant Biology and graduate studies for a MSc in Plant Pathology from the University of Guelph. Her career path has led her to managerial and curatorial roles, particularly in collections management and education.

Crafts & Cocktails:  Sunset Photography at New England Botanic Garden

Chase the light and capture golden hour at the Garden. Learn simple techniques for shooting in low light, framing the perfect shot, and making magic with your camera or phone. Instructor: Steve McGrath Steve McGrath is a professional freelance photographer and photography teacher who has been creating images for over 20 years. Steve first began by shooting sports photography for local high schools, then weddings, and stock agencies. Then his love of the outdoors led him to focusing more on his true passion, nature photography. Steve was an active member of the Gateway Camera Club for many years, and has won many ribbons and awards at fairs and competitions through the group and on his own. Several of his images have been published in school textbooks. His favorite places to shoot are Acadia National Park in Maine, the Green Mountains of Vermont, and the Cape Cod National Seashore.

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Where

newenglandbg

Experiences