Saturday September 12, 2026 | 2:00 – 4:00pm
Location: RU House at Colonels Row, Building #404B on Governors Island (map)
Ferry information | Video directions
Free Workshop
Limited to 15 participants. If you require any accessibility accommodations, please let us know at info@residencyunlimited.org when you RSVP and we will be happy to assist.
RSVP required.
Through storytelling, botanical exploration, and drawing, this workshop led by Gabriela Galván (RU Alum 2021) encourages close observation, and uses drawing as a tool for engaging with the natural world. Exploring the surroundings of RU House on Governors Island we are going to reveal the medicinal and edible properties of wild weeds, cultivating new connections between humans, animals, minerals, and the land, to discover new perspectives on the landscapes of everyday life.
Participants will document their botanical journey through drawing, creating one to three postcards inspired by their observations using watercolor pencils. The workshop is open to people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds.
No previous experience in drawing or botany is required.
Recommendations for Participants
The workshop will take place outdoors. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes. We also recommend bringing sunglasses, a cap or hat, and a water bottle. Be sure to apply sunscreen before the workshop.
This initiative is part of a series of 20 workshops designed to provide post residency support to RU’s local alumni artists. Curated by alum curator Hayley Ferber, the workshops are centered on the theme of creative engagement with the natural environment, inviting participants to explore processes of reuse, observation, material experimentation, and collective making.
About
Gabriela Galván is a multidisciplinary artist whose work centers on exploring the concept of transformation. Working across disciplines including-installation, public art, drawing, sculpture, video, design, performance and sound-Galván is interested in exploring processes inherent to site specific projects and sensorial experiences in connection with the natural world
spanning ages and different cultures. Currently, she’s focused on develop a body of work in relationship with live flowers and plants. Galvan’s work has been exhibited at Museo Nacional de Arte Reina Sofía (ESP), Zacheta National Gallery (PL), In Mexico at Museo Tamayo, Museo de Arte Moderno, Museo Carrillo Gil, Sala de Arte Público Siqueiros and Museo de la Ciudad de México (in collaboration with the Centre George Pompidou) among others. She participated in Mediations Poznań Art Biennale (PL) and have been resident at Atelier Mondial (CH), International Studio & Curatorial Program of New York (US), OMI International Arts Center (US), Fundación Casa Wabi (MX) and Academy of Fine Arts in Poznan (PL).
She has combined her art practice with art education as a guest lecturer at the Basel Academy of Art and Design (FHNW) (CH), Fashion Institute of Technology (US), Research Foundation of CUNY (US), and the Academy of Fine Arts in Poznan ( PL),
among others. She lives and works in New York.
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
In-kind support is provided by Materials for the Arts.
RU is grateful for the partnership with Governors Island Arts.
