2-Day Workshop
Friday, May 31 – Saturday, June 1, 2024
10am-4pm both days

This workshop invites you to explore the world around you through the lens of nature journaling. Spend a refreshing weekend learning techniques, creating a personalized journal, and immersing yourself in the beauty and wonder of nature at the Shaker Bog.

What you’ll experience:

-Craft a unique accordion nature journal: On Friday morning, Geoff Davis will guide you through building a beautiful and functional accordion journal with pockets and inserts to organize your observations and creative expressions.

-Discover engaging journaling activities: Friday afternoon, we’ll delve into 3-4 specific journaling prompts and activities, sparking your creativity and providing you with a foundation for enriching your journal entries.

-Put your learnings into practice: On Saturday, we’ll embark on a guided outdoor excursion around the Shaker Bog. This is your opportunity to apply the techniques learned, observe the natural world, and start to fill your journal with personal reflections and artistic expressions.

-Share and learn from your fellow explorers: Saturday afternoon we’ll gather in studio to share and discuss your journaling experiences, gain inspiration from each other’s work, and offer insights and feedback.

Who should join:

-Nature enthusiasts of all levels (ages 14 and up) seeking to deepen their connection with the natural world.

-Artists and creatives looking for new ways to express themselves through observation and exploration.

-Anyone interested in developing a mindful and enriching nature journaling practice.

About your instructor:

Though Geoff Davis is a wood carver, luthier, letterpress printer, and leather smith, he considers his first calling to be teaching. Davis, who grew up dividing his time between Indiana and coastal Maine, spent over 30 years teaching in public schools before opening his own teaching studio in Noblesville, Indiana. At the Workshops of G.B. Davis, in Noblesville, Indiana, Geoff teaches ukulele building and carving as well as general woodworking. He was named an Indiana Artisan in 2011 for his bird carvings and has been included in the Early American Life Directory of American Craft since 2017 for his bird carvings, pull-toys, letterpress, and paper.

About the Shaker Bog:

The bog was originally built by the Shakers in 1816 as a reservoir to power their mills, but today, the 150-acre wetland has become a diverse ecosystem: the feeding ground of moose, the home of beaver, mink, fisher, fox and an occasional black bear.  The combination of woodland and wetland provides an ideal habitat for a variety of songbirds, game fowl and woodpeckers.  Possible bird sightings also include Sandhill cranes (a breeding area), pileated woodpeckers, loons, ducks, Canada geese, eagles, and hawks. Water lilies cover the edges of the Shaker Bog and just beg to be sketched!

What’s included? What to bring:

-All book making supplies will be provided but feel free to bring any fancy paper or pictures that you’d like to try to incorporate.

-Shared sketching supplies will be provided but feel free to pack along colored pencils, markers, pens, watercolor supplies, etc.

-Dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear for a walk in the woods. Bug repellent and sunscreen are recommended. Bring cameras, binoculars, bagged lunch, and bottled water.

Class size: 12 max
All levels welcome! No experience in bookbinding or drawing are necessary. Really!
Ages: motivated 14 year-old and over.

Did you know that current members of The Friends of the Shakers receive $5 off each workshop? Sign up or renew today for your discount!