Anna Kaye, Painted Lady Butterfly, 2024. Watercolor on paper.
Drawing: Discovering Butterflies
Join the Butterfly Pavilion and the Denver Art Museum for a two-part artistic adventure! This workshop is perfect for artists and nature enthusiasts alike and does not require any prior technical knowledge.
In part one at the Denver Art Museum, students will learn to draw butterflies by exploring their representation in artworks from the Denver Art Museum’s collections, while also discovering the fascinating anatomy of butterflies through the presentation of preserved specimens.
In part two at the Butterfly Pavilion*, students will be given a guided tour and immersed in the Butterfly Pavilion’s lush conservatory, surrounded by thousands of free-flying butterflies. They will continue to refine their drawing practice in this natural setting with the opportunity to nature journal and draw from live or preserved specimens.
Creative Classes offer an opportunity to learn from professional creatives through traditional and experimental approaches. Each class is uniquely designed by a creative educator for an adult audience, designed to help you learn a new skill or expand your own creative practice. Explore the Winter/Spring 2025 class schedule.
*The Butterfly Pavilion is located at 6252 W 104th Ave, Westminster, CO 80020. Find directions on Google Maps.
Photo by Anthony Camera Photography.
About the Educators
Anna Kaye was born in Detroit, Michigan and now lives in Denver where she works in her studio creating drawings, paintings, videos, and sculptures that are inspired by the natural world. Witnessing the urban decay from de-industrialization as a child enhanced her sense of empathy, compassion, love for diversity and justice, and reverence for the natural world. She earned her B.S. in geology and fine art at Skidmore College, NY. She continued her education at Yale in painting, drawing, printmaking, and photography. She earned her M.F.A. at Washington University in St. Louis where she was awarded the Laura and William Jens Scholarship and a teaching on record position. Anna Kaye’s artwork is a part of international, private, public, corporate, and museum collections. Kaye donates a percentage of all sales annually to environmental funds. She curates large-scale exhibitions that promote social action and connectivity. She currently teaches at the Denver Art Museum and Denver Botanic Gardens. Follow her on Instagram at @annakayeart.
Photo by Randi Ward.
Megan Schulz is the Adult Programs Coordinator at Butterfly Pavilion, where she develops engaging programs that connect adults with the natural world. With a background in environmental education, Megan has expanded the Pavilion’s offerings to include diverse workshops, lectures, and hands-on activities centered around invertebrates. She is passionate about building inclusive, interactive learning experiences. In her free time, Megan enjoys nature photography, reading, and spending time with her pets.
Follow her on Instagram at @nature_by_megan6.
To request a sign language interpreter or any other accessibility service, email access@denverartmuseum.org at least ten (10) business days in advance of the program. We will make every effort to provide accommodation for requests made outside of that window of time.
Class Cancellation Policy: If a class or workshop needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather or teacher illness, a “make-up” day will be scheduled on a Friday or Saturday as the educator’s schedule allows.
