Celebrate the centenary of the death of influential artist Auguste Rodin (1841-1917), who created the Annenberg’s sculpture Eve. This special and limited access program will allow participants to spend time sketching the famed sculpture guided by an instructor while in the atrium of the historic estate. Restrictions apply and reservations are required. No previous art experience necessary. Adults only, no children permitted.

November 8 Instructor—Jessica Schiffman’s oil paintings are focused on both the landscape and the human figure in motion. A full-time artist for over two decades, her background also includes illustrations for sixteen children’s books, and recently, two murals. Jessica’s teaching experience includes the Idyllwild Arts Academy and Summer Program, as well as the Desert Art Center and the Create Center for the Arts. Her work can be seen at the Bill Anson Gallery in Cathedral City, and the Middle Ridge Gallery in Idyllwild. Jessica holds a BFA in painting from the San Francisco Art Institute.

• Space is limited. Reservations are required.
• Unregistered guests may not attend.
• Fee: $25 per participant.
• Register Online. Check date carefully. 
• For additional information, please call 760.202.2254

Materials: Materials are not provided; participants are responsible for providing their own supplies.

Only the following materials are allowed:

• Sketch pads, sketch boards and notebooks. They may be no larger than 18 x 24 inches.
• Graphite pencils, colored pencils, Conté pencils, kneaded erasers, blending stumps and/or tortillons, sharpeners with shavings catcher, and artist chamois.

The following items are prohibited:

• Charcoal sticks, pastels, pens, loose ink, fountain pens, markers, oil crayon, paint (including watercolors), easels, stands or stools, are not allowed. Chairs will be provided for participants.

Photography inside the estate is not allowed and participants will not have access to the rest of the house.

• Participants should arrive no earlier than 6:45am and no later than 7 am. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated. You will be transported by shuttle to the historic estate at 7 am sharp and will be shuttled back to the Sunnylands Center and Gardens at 9 am sharp.
• After the drawing session, participants must depart from the Center, as it is closed to the general public and only group tours are allowed onsite.
• All ticket sales are final; there are no refunds, exchanges, or wait list.
• Failure to comply with these guidelines will result in loss of access to the workshop.

Start that nature journal you’ve been thinking about. Follow in the footsteps of botanist-explorers and learn how to observe and document plants through drawing. Learn about the history of botanical illustration and the fascinating world of plants in this two-hour interactive session. You will also learn how to turn quick, loose sketches into informative illustrations for your new journal.
Materials: Participants are invited to bring their own. Sketchbooks should not be larger than 9” x 12”. Alternatively, a clipboard with printer paper will work too. Pencils will be provided. Folding stool or camping stool to use in the garden suggested, but not necessary.

Instructor: Tania Marien is the founding editor of The Southern California Botanical Artist, the first newsletter of the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California, and the founding editor of Artists’ Botany as well as the website Art Plantae. She has a Master’s degree in Biology & Student Learning and a professional certificate in Free choice learning. She has introduced the public to plants and botanical art at environmental education events, botanical gardens, museums, and science programs to encourage an interest in plants through art, science and interpretation.

• Fee: $10 per participant. Limited spaces
• Purchase ticket here.
• For information call 760.202.2254

The critique experience is one of the most important moments in an artist’s development. Critique helps the artist see how artwork can be improved and understand how the work is perceived by the viewer. As individuals, we can learn just as much from seeing someone else’s work being critiqued as we do from a critique of our own work. In a group setting, where we critique the work of others, we not only offer helpful suggestions but we also learn which elements can be applied to our own work. As a result, every member of the group grows as an artist. The instructor will lead a class in fine art constructive critique.
Materials: Participants should bring one piece of artwork to be critiqued. It can be a painting, sculpture or pottery.

Instructor: David Fairrington is an internationally recognized artist known for his realistic portraits, landscapes, and movie poster designs. He served as a combat artist in Vietnam and following his military service he opened his own design studio, designing and executing movie posters for several movie studios. He has been named as a “Master Artist” by International Artist Magazine and his artwork is included in numerous private and corporate collections.

• Fee: $10 per participant. Limited spaces. Tickets available here.
• For information call 760.202.2254

Unlock your creativity and take your photography to a new place in this one-night workshop on the photographic techniques of light painting and light drawing. Light painting and light drawing are photographic techniques in which images are made using long shutter speeds as the photographer uses a hand-held light source, such as a flashlight, to create the exposure. The photographer either points the light source directly at the camera to “draw with light” or “paints with light” by shining the light source on an object or scene to create the illumination. From Ansel Adams to Pablo Picasso, these seemingly magical techniques have long inspired photographers and artists alike with their ability to make visible the invisible and to play with time.
Materials: Participants will need a tripod, a flashlight, and a digital camera that is able to shoot on manual mode. Smartphones or automatic cameras will not work for this technique. Please attend knowing how to use your camera’s basic functions. For point and shoot, mirrorless, or dslr cameras, bringing your camera’s manual is a good idea. Small LED flashlights commonly available at discount stores or pharmacies work great.

Instructor: Scott Klinger is a photographer, filmmaker and educator with over 15 years of experience. His work has been shown in galleries, museums and film festivals around the world. Scott was born in Tucson, AZ and has spent much of his life making photos in and around the American West. Scott has taught at the University of California, the New York Film Academy, and currently teaches at College of the Desert.

• Fee: $10 per participant. Limited spaces
• Purchase ticket here.
• For information call 760.202.2254

In this fast-paced, encouraging, and non-competitive workshop, participants will use materials they are comfortable with to create a composition on the Sunnylands gardens while exploring the technique of using negative space to define subjects. A group discussion at the end of the workshop will consolidate the new way of looking at the subject.
Materials: Students should bring the materials they are familiar with using: oil, pastel, watercolor, charcoal, pencil, and canvas or paper to draw on. Bring a small easel or a stiff surface to mount paper or canvas. Please wear a hat and bring a refillable water bottle. If students are using oil paints, a tarp must be brought.

Instructor: International painter Gianne de Genevraye has focused on residencies and exhibitions in public spaces in France, Italy and California. As a native Californian, she is acutely aware of water as a precious resource and is using her painting to make the connection between public gardens using drought-tolerant landscaping plants and their incredible, complex beauty.

• Fee: $10 per participant. Limited spaces
• Ticket available here. 
• For information call 760.202.2254

Painting from life in a beautiful outdoor setting can be both exhilarating and challenging. In this workshop, landscape painter Jessica Schiffman will introduce her step-by-step method to help simplify and organize what is seen and capture rapidly changing light and shadows. Some painting experience is recommended.
Materials: Students should bring the materials they are familiar with using. However, the instructor includes a Materials list.

Instructor: Jessica Schiffman’s oil paintings are focused on both the landscape and the human figure in motion. A full-time artist for over two decades, her background also includes illustrations for sixteen children’s books, and recently, two murals. Jessica’s teaching experience includes the Idyllwild Arts Academy and Summer Program, as well as the Desert Art Center and the Create Center for the Arts. Her work can be seen at the Bill Anson Gallery in Cathedral City, and the Middle Ridge Gallery in Idyllwild. Jessica holds a BFA in painting from the San Francisco Art Institute.

• Fee: $10 per participant. Limited spaces
• Purchase ticket here.
• For information call 760.202.2254

Based on a true story, The Perfect Game is a comedy, drama about group of boys from Mexico who become the first non-U.S. team to win the Little League World Series. Directed by William Dear in 2009, The Perfect Game is a perfect family film. Rated PG. Run time: 1 hour 58 minutes. See full summary and more information here.

Filmgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and small picnic items for the outdoor screening. Large coolers, alcohol, smoking, and pets are not permitted. Please see information about Sunnylands policies regarding pets and picnics. With limited parking, carpooling is strongly advised. Admission is free.


Films on the Great Lawn are presented in partnership with the Palm Springs International Film Festival.



For more information please contact the education department at 760-202-2234 or email education@sunnylands.org.

A Better Life, released in 2011, tells the story of a father who struggles to keep his son from the gangs in East L.A. and immigration agents, while also giving his son more opportunities than he had. This Oscar nominated movie was directed by Chris Weitz. Rated PG-13. Run time: 1 hour 38 minutes. See full summary and information here.

Filmgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and small picnic items for the outdoor screening. Large coolers, alcohol, smoking, and pets are not permitted. Please see information about Sunnylands policies regarding pets and picnics. With limited parking, carpooling is strongly advised. Admission is free.

Films on the Great Lawn are presented in partnership with the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

For more information please contact the education department at 760-202-2234 or email education@sunnylands.org.

My Family is an epic 1995 drama, following a family through three generations of tragedies and triumphs. Directed by Gregory Nava, this film won Academy acclaim in 1996. Rated R. Run time: 2 hours 8 minutes. See full summary and information here.

Filmgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and small picnic items for the outdoor screening. Large coolers, alcohol, smoking, and pets are not permitted. Please see information about Sunnylands policies regarding pets and picnics. With limited parking, carpooling is strongly advised. Admission is free.



Films on the Great Lawn are presented in partnership with the Palm Springs International Film Festival.



For more information please contact the education department at 760-202-2234 or email education@sunnylands.org.

Sunnylands Center & Gardens reopens for the season, offering tours and public programs.

The Center & Gardens is open Thursday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There is no fee and no reservations are required for entry to visit the Center & Gardens.

Tickets for Sunnylands’ popular historic house tour are on sale. Tickets for this $48 tour — featuring the art, architecture, and history of the historic Midcentury Modern house — can be purchased only through the Sunnylands website, www.sunnylands.org.