Valentine’s Programming

Celebrate love in all its forms at Sonoma Botanical Garden this Valentine’s season. Join us for a thoughtfully curated series of programs that invite connection—with nature, with loved ones, and with yourself—set among winter blooms, winding paths, and peaceful woodland landscapes. From a hands-on creative workshop and a Valentine’s-themed lecture to guided Hanami Strolls, each experience is designed to spark joy, curiosity, and a sense of togetherness. Whether you’re visiting with a partner, friends, family, or on your own, the Garden offers a beautiful setting to slow down and savor the season.

Embroidered Valentine Botanicals Workshop

The Victorians loved love and were passionate about Valentine’s day – popularizing floriography (known as known as ‘the language of flowers’) – in which symbolic meaning was assigned to all manner of botanicals. Join artist and maker Robert Mahar in learning about this 1800s pastime and then add color texture and charm to a chart of vintage floral illustrations selected for their love related attributes. Instruction will cover core embroidery basics, essential stitches and how to apply them to an original collage custom printed on a 18×27” panel of linen cotton canvas. The end result is a beautifully embroidered textile that can be displayed as a wall hanging or utilized as a tea towel. Instruction will set participants up for success so that they can begin their individual projects in class and complete them at home.

The vintage floral illustrations were sourced from an 1896 volume of scientific studies in the collection of the Missouri Botanical Garden. They have been digitally restored and paired with charming typography of their amorous attributes – creating the perfect canvas for your embroidery embellishment. This workshop is a unique approach to needlework utilizing a nontraditional, free-form sampler that allows you utilize your favorite stitches and determine their placement.

This class is well suited for adventurous beginners ages 18+, however, students with more embroidery experience are encouraged to join for a fun refresher course and the opportunity to apply their skills to a large-format botanical graphic.

Saturday, February 7, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

$78 for members, $95 for non-members | Includes Garden admission. Please check in at the Center for Learning & Engagement.