Encinitas, CA– Quail Botanical Gardens is announcing several additional events to its spring calendar including new art classes, a music event and the Encinitas Wine Festival.  See below for details.

April, May and June: Art Lessons in the Gardens with Linda Luisi
Learn beginning, intermediate or advanced art lessons from a professional!  A graduate of Tufts University (BFA) and the School of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Linda Luisi has been a trompe l'oeil muralist for more than 20 years. Her work is featured in corporations, hospitals, resorts and residences across the United States.  Linda’s classes offer Old Master Techniques with fun and enthusiasm for all levels.  For details on her classes, please call (760) 944-7800.  Linda offers the following: 

April and May - Beginner to advanced instruction with pencils, pastels and watercolors

May - Mixed Media Workshop (such as collages and compositional styles)

June - Plein-Air Drawing and Impressionist painting

To learn more about Linda’s work, please visit www.lindaluisi.com.

April 15: Spring Bamboo Sale, 9am-2pm
Presented by the Southern California Chapter of the American Bamboo Society and Quail Botanical Gardens, this annual event features more than 100 varieties of bamboo grown by collectors and local growers throughout Southern California.  Bamboo crafts and products will also be available and there will be a special musical performance and demonstration with bamboo instruments by Martin Espino.  For more information call: (951) 359-1706 or visit www.abssocal.org. The event is free with the price of admission and free for Quail Botanical Gardens and Bamboo Society Members.   

April 28-29: "Flowers by the Sea," Flower Show presented by the San Dieguito Garden Club and Quail Botanical Gardens
You are invited to participate in and attend the first judged flower show at Quail Botanical Gardens. Entries are open to non-professional Horticulture and Floral Design Exhibitors.  Judging will be by accredited judges from the National Garden Clubs Inc.  Flower show entry forms will be available at Quail Botanical Gardens and the following local nurseries:  Anderson's La Costa Nursery, 400 La Costa Ave, Encinitas.Armstrong Garden Center, 2840 Via De La Valle, San Diego.Cedros Gardens, 330 S. Cedros Ave, Solana Beach.Cordova Gardens, 902 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas.Sunshine Gardens, 155 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas.Grangetto's Garden Supply Co, 189 S Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas.General admission fees apply to view the Flower Show and Gardens. Free admission for flower show participants and a $2.00 coupon off the regular admission will be available at the above listed nurseries.  For more information, please call Event Chair Jerry Thirloway at (858) 755-3284.

May 13: Annual Family Chocolate Festival  
What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend than with rich, delicious chocolate?  This family friendly event features chocolate tasting, food, live entertainment, unique vendors and children’s activities as well as a tantalizing chocolate fountain!  The cost of chocolate tastings is dependent on each vendor.  General admission prices apply.

May 27: Palm and Cycad Sale
This one of a kind event features limited and rare species from exceptional Southern California nurseries.  Free with the price of admission and free for members. 

June 4: "Strings In The Gardens" presented by Carlsbad Strings Education Association, Inc., 5-8pm
Enjoy an evening of accomplished and award-winning students performing stringed serenades in the Gardens with this annual fund-raising celebration benefiting QBG and the Carlsbad Strings Education Association.  Guests will savor beautiful music while strolling through the main lawn to peruse an exceptional silent auction.  An assortment of coffee, tea, and dessert tables will be available, with wine offered for purchase.  Tickets will be available in mid-April at the QBG gift shop as well as online.  The cost to attend is $20 and the event is free for anyone under 18.  For questions, please email Victoria Allen at victoriaaallen@yahoo.com.  To learn more about the Carlsbad Strings Education Association please visit www.carlsbadstrings.org.

June 10: Encinitas Wine Festival, 5-8pm
Experience an evening of fine wines, micro brews and tequilas as well as delicious cuisine and delectable desserts from special local restaurants.  Tickets are $75 per person and space is limited; last year’s event was sold out.  The 3rd Annual Encinitas Wine Festival benefits your choice of the following charities:  Class A.C.T., Just In Time, North Coast Singers, Encinitas Rotary Foundation, MAEGA (Mexican American Education & Guidance Association), San Dieguito Sports Medicine Foundation, Community Resource Center, Encinitas Historical Society, Pacific Coast Harmony Singers, Quail Botanical Gardens, Rancho Coastal Humane Society and Sudanese Refugee Network.  For more information, please visit www.EncinitasWineFestival.com or contact Marilyn Kovach at (760) 753-7343 or chefmarilyn1@netscape.net.

About Quail Botanical Gardens
The mission of Quail Botanical Gardens is to actively participate in the conservation of rare, threatened and endangered plant species, to serve the botanical and horticultural needs of San Diego County, and to exist as an urban retreat. Quail Botanical Gardens is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization supported through earned revenues, gifts from individuals, corporate sponsorships, and grants. For more information, visit http://www.qbgardens.org, or call 760-435-3036 x 206.

Contact:
Sarah Znerold, SZPR, Inc.
760.943.2333
sarah@szpr.com