For all interested artists of nature: this class on Wednesday July 15 at 6pm is an opportunity to learn how to press fresh flowers using a wooden flower press (yours to keep). We will focus on a variety of techniques and materials for success. There will be plenty of opportunities for questions and discussions on the history, science, and design of pressed botanical art. Prepare for a creative, relaxing, and informative experience!

All materials will be provided. Be sure to bring your creative ideas and questions.

All participants may bring a favorite fresh flower or leaf from their garden, if they wish.

Space is limited to 10 participants. 

Organized by Sarah Ehrlich & Mona Lipson

About Marguerite Alpert

My artwork transforms pressed and dried botanical materials into compositions that invite close observation. I deconstruct flowers into their smallest components – individual petals, sepals, and fragments and use these elements as building blocks for larger designs. Through this process, I aim to present familiar natural materials in unexpected ways, encouraging viewers to see them with fresh eyes.

Viewers frequently mistake my botanical compositions for watercolor paintings or pen and ink drawings, only to discover with delightful surprise that they are observing actual plant matter. This moment of revelation consistently draws people closer to examine the work more carefully, a response that lies at the heart of my artistic intention.

My practice centers on revealing the extraordinary within the ordinary, highlighting the intricate details in nature that we often overlook. The transformation that occurs during the pressing and drying process is itself a form of artistic alchemy. Fresh flowers and leaves give up their three-dimensional form, becoming flattened through the application of pressure and time. This metamorphosis reveals hidden structures: the delicate network of veins threading through petals becomes visible, colors also shift and intensify in unexpected ways, and textures emerge that were previously obscured by the plant’s fresh form.

My work celebrates both the fragility and resilience of botanical life. My goal is to slow down the viewer’s gaze to foster a deeper appreciation for the complex beauty of nature that surrounds us every day.