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Art with Nature
Art with Nature is a hands-on creative arts program designed to connect participants with the natural world through artistic exploration. Using materials gathered from the landscapes surrounding Camp Anderson, participants create unique works inspired by the textures, colors, and forms found outdoors.
Guided instruction is balanced with open-ended discovery, allowing individuals to experiment, observe, and express their creativity in meaningful ways. Through working directly with natural elements such as leaves, flowers, and other found materials, participants cultivate mindfulness, environmental appreciation, and creative confidence.
Questions? Contact Teagan Servais, Outdoor Education Coordinator, at [email protected]
Adults: Botanical Bleach Printing
Botanical Bleach Printing
Create wearable art inspired by the natural world in this adults-only session of Art with Nature. Participants will explore the woods around Camp Anderson to gather leaves and other natural materials with interesting shapes and textures. Using bleach painting and printing techniques, we’ll transform black bandanas into one-of-a-kind botanical designs by stamping and layering natural materials onto the fabric. This hands-on evening program encourages creativity, experimentation, and close observation of natural forms while introducing a unique fabric art process that creates striking organic patterns. Participants will leave with a handmade bandana inspired by the textures and shapes of the surrounding landscape. No prior art experience necessary.
When: Wednesday, September 2nd | 5:00–7:30pm
Meeting Location: Community Room at Skagit Family YMCA (1901 Hoag Road, Mount Vernon)
Who: Ages 18+
Cost: $30
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Community Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/25/26 | 8/19/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 30.00 | $ 30.00 |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
09/02/26
We - 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
|
Register Closes 08/26/2026 |
Adults: Patterns in Nature
Patterns in Nature
In this reflective, outdoor art experience, participants will slow down and explore the natural world through observation, arrangement, and design. Using found materials such as leaves, stones, sticks, flowers, and other natural elements, we will create temporary compositions directly on the land, exploring color, shape, texture, repetition, and pattern in response to what the environment offers.
This practice is inspired by ephemeral art, a form of land-based art where creations are intentionally temporary and left to return to the landscape. Rather than making permanent objects to take home, we focus on the experience of noticing, arranging, and letting go. The work exists in the moment, shaped by attention, presence, and the materials at hand. No prior art experience necessary.
When: Wednesday, August 5th | 5:00-7:30pm
Meeting Location: Community Room at Skagit Family YMCA (1901 Hoag Road, Mount Vernon)
Who: Ages 18+
Cost: $30
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Community Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/25/26 | 7/29/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 30.00 | $ 30.00 |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
08/05/26
We - 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
|
Register Closes 07/29/2026 |
Youth & Teens: Botanical Imprints in Clay
Botanical Imprints in Clay
Explore the textures and patterns of the natural world in this two-part hands-on art experience. During Session 1, participants will gather leaves, flowers, and other natural materials from the surrounding forest, then press them into air-dry clay to create detailed botanical imprints. Each participant will shape their pieces into ornaments, trinket dishes, or small works of art. Session 1 is 2.5 hours.
In Session 2, participants will return to finish and personalize their dried clay pieces using watercolor to highlight natural textures, along with finishing touches to complete and preserve each piece. This process-based workshop emphasizes creativity, experimentation, and working with natural materials to create unique handmade art to take home. Session 2 is 2 hours. No prior art experience necessary.
When:
- Session 1: Wednesday, August 12th | 5:00-7:30pm
- Session 2: Wednesday, August 19th | 5:00-7:00pm
Meeting Location: Community Room at Skagit Family YMCA (1901 Hoag Road, Mount Vernon)
Who: Ages 10-17
Cost: $40
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Community Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/25/26 | 8/5/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 40.00 | $ 40.00 |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
08/12/26 - 08/18/26
We - 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
|
Register Closes 08/05/2026 |
Youth: Leaf Printing & Natural Stamps
Leaf Printing & Natural Stamps
Discover the beauty of natural forms in this hands-on art workshop. Participants will gather leaves, flowers, and other natural materials from the surrounding environment, then use paint to transform them into natural stamps. By pressing these materials onto mixed media paper, we’ll create layered botanical prints that highlight the unique shapes, textures, and patterns found in nature. This process-based activity encourages creativity, exploration, and observation, resulting in a one-of-a-kind piece of art to take home. No prior art experience necessary.
When: Wednesday, July 29th | 5:00–7:30pm
Meeting Location: Community Room at Skagit Family YMCA (1901 Hoag Road, Mount Vernon)
Who: Ages 7-12
Cost: $30
Registration Information
| Open | Close | Register At | Member | Community Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/25/26 | 7/22/26 | Online / Front Desk | $ 30.00 | $ 30.00 |
Available Sessions
| Date(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
07/29/26
We - 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
|
Register Closes 07/22/2026 |