Draw Elwood: Garden Story Workshop with Andrew Gogerty and Tim Read at Reiman Gardens

Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa offers a short, family-friendly creative workshop that turns a morning among blooms into a hands-on illustration session. On Saturday, July 18 from 10:00–11:30 AM, author Andrew Gogerty and illustrator Tim Read lead a 90-minute program that pairs storytelling with live sketching and a guided 'Draw With Me' segment centered on Elwood the gnome. The setting is the public gardens at Reiman Gardens, where formal beds, winding paths, and sculptural plantings create small outdoor rooms ideal for imagining characters and scenes. The workshop highlights are intimate and practical: watch Read sketch page-ready characters, hear Gogerty explain narrative choices, and then follow step-by-step drawing instruction tailored for kids and adults. The pace is deliberately gentle—this is not a critique session but an invitation to play. Materials are sometimes limited on site, so bringing your own pencil and sketchbook ensures you can take whatever you create home. Families appreciate the low-pressure vibe and the opportunity to create side-by-side with professionals who talk through thumbnails, line work, and simple storytelling techniques that make picture books come alive. What makes this event stand out in Ames is its combination of place-based inspiration and accessible instruction. Reiman Gardens functions as a living studio; floral textures, pollinator plantings, and nearby green spaces feed the imagination in ways a classroom cannot. The program connects readers and makers to the garden’s visual cues—color palettes, small critters, and seasonal blooms—that appear in Garden Story narratives, offering a concrete link between the natural world and illustrated storycraft. Practical details: plan for 90 minutes outdoors or in a covered pavilion depending on weather; arrive ten minutes early to find seating and set up materials. The session is suitable for a broad age range, and parents are encouraged to draw alongside younger children. Photographing finished work and the sketching process is welcomed, but respect other participants’ space during live demonstrations. Tickets and registration are available through the event booking page; use the provided referral link to see availability and any age or ticketing notes. Parking at Reiman Gardens and nearby street lots is typically convenient for morning events, but check the gardens’ site for special event closures. If weather threatens, organizers will move activities indoors when possible; bring a light jacket for breezy mornings. Expect modest walking between demonstration areas and seating. Children under supervision learn best.