Experience Level: Beginner 

Get a first-hand look at how honey bees manage hive activity at Beehive Observation on Sundays, April 12 & 26, May 10 & 24, June 7 & 21, July 5 & 19, Aug. 2, 16 & 30 and Sept. 13 & 27 in The Studio and outside at the beehives.  

Instructor Maggie Wachter will provide an overview of seasonal influences, followed by a peek inside the hives to observe honey bees at work. Traditional and Flow Hives will also be discussed. Each two-hour session may be attended as a standalone or combined with any or all other classes. 

$200/person* for the entire series or $30/class at the links below. Registration will close April 9 for the entire series or three days before each subsequent class. All sales are final. 

*Students should wear loose-fitting long sleeves and pants, close-toed shoes and bring a protective bee veil and unscented rubber gloves.  

— April 12 
— April 26 
— May 10 
— May 24 
— June 7 
— June 21 
— July 5 
— July 19 
— Aug. 2 
— Aug. 16 
— Sept. 13 
— Sept. 27 

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu. 

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken. 

About the instructor 

When Maggie Wachter began her social work degree at the University of Illinois in 2008, she had no idea that she would become a beekeeper. As for honey, she kept a single jar in the back of her kitchen cabinet for recipes. Today she is a master beekeeper who never eats sugar. 

Maggie received her first hive as a gift in 2008. By 2010, she was enrolled in the Master Beekeeper course at the University of Florida. From there, things happened quickly to turn her life around. In 2012, she started teaching beekeeping for Parkland Community Education and today she is a beekeeping teacher, honey judge, mead maker and master beekeeper. 

She has also participated in honeybee research at the University of Illinois and the USDA.

Experience Level: Beginner

If life feels hard and joy is difficult to find, get answers at The Art & Science of Getting Happier: Build the Life You Want on Wednesdays, Sept. 2, 9, 16, & 23 from 6-7:30 p.m. in The Studio.  

Led by psychologist Lori Lilly, this course is designed to provide direction on a journey toward living with a greater sense of happiness and a deeper sense of wisdom. Students will learn more about emotions to develop tools of self-management and emotional regulation and a positive state of mind.

While there is no one answer for everyone, students will learn practical, research-based practices that meet them where they are and help build a daily practice of happiness.

$70/person*. Registration will close September 1 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.   

*Students should bring a notebook or journal and writing utensil. 

Experience Level: Intermediate 

Take your creativity outside at Plein Air Painting on Friday through Sunday, Sept. 4-6 from 12-4 p.m. outside and in the Studio. 

Plein air painting can feel overwhelming at first — easels, changing light, color mixing, wind, and trying to paint outdoors all at once! This workshop is designed especially for intermediate painters who want a supportive introduction to painting outside. If you have had some drawing and painting instruction, and are ready to continue increasing your skills and understanding, this workshop will be a great fit for you.

We’ll concentrate on the core skills that make plein air painting easier and more enjoyable. Students will learn how to set up their materials efficiently, simplify what they see, mix clean natural color, and recognize strong value relationships in the landscape.

We’ll work through short studies and practical exercises to build your confidence in handling paint and observing. You’ll also watch demos to help you understand the approach and decision-making process for creating a successful piece. This workshop is ideal for artists who are new to plein air painting or who want to strengthen their foundational painting skills in a relaxed environment. You’ll come away with all the tools you need to continue to explore the countryside, brush in hand!

All mediums are welcome.

$170/person*. Registration will close Aug. 28 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

*Click here for a list of supplies. 

Experience Level: Beginner 

Spend your morning among the flowers at Floriography Bouquet Workshop on Saturday, Sept. 5 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Evergreen Lodge. 

Florist Ava Porter will teach students the basics of floral design using the Victorian language of flowers to create living masterpieces of fresh flowers with special meanings. Students will go home with a custom vase arrangement. 

$80/person. Registration closes on August 22 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn the basics of watercolor techniques at Beginning Watercolor on Tuesdays, Sept. 8, 15, 22, & 29 from 9-11:30 a.m. in The Studio. 

Former art educator Sally Walsh will teach students foundational skills and techniques. Students will learn new techniques each week to create paintings focusing on landscapes, flowers, fruit, glass, and special effects.   

$85/person*. Registration will close Sept. 1 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should bring: 

 — 140 lb. watercolor paper pad: no smaller than 9″x12″ (spiral bound is best) 

 — 16-color oval pan watercolor paint set, Prang brand preferred. 

 — Minimum of three brushes with pointed bristles: large (No. 9-12), medium (No. 6-8) and small (No. 3-5) 

 — Pencil, clear ruler, kneaded eraser, scissor 

Alternatively, students can choose to borrow these supplies for a $10 fee, which can be applied during registration. 

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn the basics of watercolor techniques at Beginning Watercolor on Tuesdays, Sept. 8, 15, 22, & 29 from 12:30-3:00 p.m. in The Studio. 

Former art educator Sally Walsh will teach students foundational skills and techniques. Students will learn new techniques each week to create paintings focusing on landscapes, flowers, fruit, glass, and special effects.   

$85/person*. Registration will close Sept. 1 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should bring: 

 — 140 lb. watercolor paper pad: no smaller than 9″x12″ (spiral bound is best) 

 — 16-color oval pan watercolor paint set, Prang brand preferred. 

 — Minimum of three brushes with pointed bristles: large (No. 9-12), medium (No. 6-8) and small (No. 3-5) 

 — Pencil, clear ruler, kneaded eraser, scissor 

Alternatively, students can choose to borrow these supplies for a $10 fee, which can be applied during registration. 

Experience Level: Beginner

Assemble a whimsical frog suncatcher at Intro to Stained Glass: Frog on Thursday, Sept. 10 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in The Studio.

Led by Kari Keller, students will learn the basics of stained glass! Students will learn how to cut glass, grind, foil, and solder while they work to make a fun, whimsical frog suncatcher. This class is sure to get your hands working and creativity flowing. Take your frog with you to display in your home or gift to a family member or friend!  

$100/person*. Registration will close Sept. 3 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should wear closed-toe shoes. Safety glasses and gloves will be provided.

Experience Level: Beginner 

Learn the skills of improvisation, including scene creation and team dynamics at Improve Your Improv on Thursdays, Sept. 10 through Oct. 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Music Barn. 

Instructor Kyle Tasch returns to The Farms to teach this popular course, which will be jam-packed with improvisational fun that uses both short-form games and long-form scenes. 

Students will be performing as much as possible to emphasize the mechanics needed to act out an entertaining and meaningful scene on the spot with no lines. There are many elements of improv that are not only useful on stage, but also in everyday life, wherever you might be put on the spot! Students who have already completed this class are welcome to join again. Beginners and those experienced in improv are all encouraged to join! 

$100/person for the entire series or $25/class. Registration will close on Sept. 8 for the entire series or two days before each subsequent class. 

— Sept. 10
— Sept. 17  
— Sept. 24  
— Oct. 1
— Oct. 8  
— Oct. 15