The Carriage Barn Arts Center will host a range of spring workshops and programs through May, offering hands-on experiences in botanical arts, design, photography, and music.
The seasonal series includes a Spring Bulb Arranging Workshop held April 14, where participants created floral displays designed to bring seasonal color and fragrance into the home. The program was led by Elisa Bulgrin of Longfield Farm and focused on practical techniques for long-lasting arrangements.
Upcoming botanical arts workshops will continue later this month and into May. On April 25, artist Katya Lebrija will lead an introductory eco-printing session, teaching participants how to transfer natural pigments from leaves and plants onto fabric through a steaming process. A follow-up workshop on May 2 will expand on these techniques, guiding attendees in designing and creating silk scarves using botanical prints.
Additional programs include a May 9 workshop inspired by botanical illustrator Pierre-Joseph Redouté, as well as a May 26 session with artist Livia Cetti focused on paper flower creation.
The spring calendar also features a range of non-botanical programming. Earlier in April, the center hosted an iPhone photo editing workshop led by photographer Jane Beiles and a virtual lecture on Raphael by art historian Page Knox. Organized museum tours are scheduled throughout the season, including guided visits to major New York institutions.
Family programming remains a key component. On April 26, young participants will take part in an eco-design workshop using recycled materials to create small objects and sculptures. A beginner sewing workshop for children is scheduled for April 28, introducing foundational stitching techniques in a hands-on setting.
Music programming will also continue with a Treetops Chamber Music performance by the Cassatt String Quartet on April 26, featuring works by Schubert, Ravel, and Brahms.
In addition to workshops and performances, the Carriage Barn is hosting an exhibition of American realism in partnership with the American Artists Professional League from April 19 through May 8.
Organizers said the spring series is designed to provide accessible, skill-based programming that connects participants with both artistic practice and environmental themes.
The Carriage Barn Arts Center, located at 681 South Avenue, continues to serve as a central venue for community arts engagement in New Canaan.
