Tree Wonder is a community eco-art initiative to raise awareness of nature in the city and promote ecological learning through in-person contact. The focus is Manhattan’s oldest tree, the striking English Elm in Washington Square Park, said to be more than 350 years old. Thousands of park visitors from the neighborhood, the city, and the world walk by this awe-inspiring tree, but rarely stop to observe and wonder.

On thirteen Sundays this Spring, we’ll be hosting free drawing sessions at the base of the English Elm. Each session is led by an invited artist who shares drawing techniques with participants or inspires them with prompts to draw from. Free drawing materials and paper are always provided and all ages and experience levels are encouraged to participate!

Our drawing sessions began in the spring of 2022 and our community has since produced over 2,000 drawings of the monumental English Elm! Click here to explore our archive of drawings of this historic tree.

RSVP above if you'd like to let us know you're coming, but registration is not required to attend! Just stop by the tree on Sundays to say hello and draw with us.

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Spring 2024 Schedule

March 24th: Kristin Jones

April 7th: Katie Holten & Ellen Harvey

April 14th: Sam Wade Levy

April 21st: Ishita Jain

April 28th: Nora Humphrey Logan & Barnaby Ruhe

May 5th: Ilene Sunshine

May 19th: Sonita Singwi

May 26th: Janet Morgan

June 2nd: Jessica Dalrymple

June 9th: Phyllis Trout

June 16th: Jennifer Orkin Lewis

June 23rd: Camila A. Morales

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Tree Wonder is led by artist Kristin Jones in partnership with urban forester Georgia Silvera Seamans, PhD, Founder of Local Nature Lab and Director of Washington Square Park Eco Projects.

Click here to support Tree Wonder!