Natural History Art Classes
We are offering Art of the Earth for Adults starting in January! Enhance your visit with a 60 min art class on select days at the museum for only $3 ($2 members) in addition to museum admission!
Learn how artists and scientists can work together to create a visual representation of a time on Earth we have never seen before: PaleoArt! Learn how to draw a T-rex or Allosaurus using modern models, skeletons, and research. Imagine a mammoth, and learn how artists recreate amazing prehistoric worlds through sculpture, video, painting, and more! Classes are taught by Burpee Museum resident artists. Examine plants, skulls, and animals up close and learn techniques that bring nature to life in your art! Ages 7 & Up.
What to Expect:
Basic supplies are included in the registration fee. Students should feel free to bring personal supplies they like to use. Each class lasts about 1 hour with guided instruction, however students are welcome to stay longer and continue their work.
All sessions are Saturday's 11:00 am - 12:00 pm OR 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Preregistration:
Preregistration may be done online through eventbrite, or by calling Burpee's visitor services department (815-965-3433). Walk-ins are welcome to attend as well.
- Nonmember Adults (13+): $15 ($12 admission + $3 class fee)
- Nonmember Youth (4-12): $13 ($10 admission + $3 class fee)
- Members: $2 ($0 admission + $2 class fee)
In the King's Court
January 14th
We all know T-rex as a formidable predator, but what was it like when it wasn’t hunting? In this class we’ll go over how artists interpret fossils to create a clearer picture of the life and times of the Tyrant King.
Dinosaur Courtship
February 4th
Romance isn’t just for humans. Learn about the weird and wonderful ways paleontologists think dinosaurs wowed potential partners.
Dynamic Dactyls
March 4th
Horrid Harpies or Serene Soarers? Reconstruct their true nature and variety as one of the most unique animal groups in the history of Planet Earth!
Early Birds
March 5th
While pterosaurs were dominating the skies of the Mesozoic, another group of small predatory reptiles were also casting themselves into the air. Join us to learn about and reconstruct the wonderful world of ancient birds!
Prehysterics: PaleoArt Gone Wrong
April 1st
Take a journey on the winding road of the history of paleontology and paleoart, inhabited by one-eyed giants, battling sea serpents, reptilian rhinos, compies with flippers, and many, many more! Art by Edward Drinker Cope (1869)
Recent Departures
May 6th
When people think of extinction they often think of the distant past, however there are many species that have gone extinct even within just the past hundred years. We’ll look at tactics artists use to get around pitfalls to bring life to the recent past!
In the King's Court
January 21st
We all know T-rex as a formidable predator, but what was it like when it wasn’t hunting? In this class we’ll go over how artists interpret fossils to create a clearer picture of the life and times of the Tyrant King.
Dinosaur Courtship
February 11th
Romance isn’t just for humans. Learn about the weird and wonderful ways paleontologists think dinosaurs wowed potential partners.
Dynamic Dactyls
March 11th
Horrid Harpies or Serene Soarers? Reconstruct their true nature and variety as one of the most unique animal groups in the history of Planet Earth!
Early Birds
March 12th
While pterosaurs were dominating the skies of the Mesozoic, another group of small predatory reptiles were also casting themselves into the air. Join us to learn about and reconstruct the wonderful world of ancient birds!
Prehysterics: PaleoArt Gone Wrong
April 8th
Take a journey on the winding road of the history of paleontology and paleoart, inhabited by one-eyed giants, battling sea serpents, reptilian rhinos, compies with flippers, and many, many more! Art by Edward Drinker Cope (1869)
Recent Departures
May 13th
When people think of extinction they often think of the distant past, however there are many species that have gone extinct even within just the past hundred years. We’ll look at tactics artists use to get around pitfalls to bring life to the recent past!
