Discover Your Creative Nature

Join us for Art in the Arb, a special series for U-M students celebrating creativity and connection with nature in Nichols Arboretum. Presented in partnership with the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum (MBGNA) and the Arts Initiative, these student art days invite you to explore and express your artistic side. No experience necessary!

All materials are provided. Just bring your curiosity and love for the outdoors!

Whether you’re looking to unwind, meet fellow students, or simply try something new, Art in the Arb is your invitation to discover the inspiration that comes from making art outdoors. Connect with your surroundings in a new way and create something uniquely your own.

Upcoming Events

November 4, 2026, 5:30pm - 6:30pm : Art in Verse, Poetry Workshop

Join us for "Art in the Arb", a special workshop series designed to welcome U-M students, staff, and faculty to Nichols Arboretum through a shared arts experience. In this poetry workshop, artist Caroline Harper New will guide us through a series of writing meditations that ask us to reflect on our relationship to the natural world. We will think about time, memory, and seasons of transition, as well as the ways in which we become entangled with the beings around us. You will have the opportunity to read poems by others and share our own work. Everyone is encouraged to explore Nichols Arboretum before or after the workshop. No prior art or writing experience is required; all levels are welcome.  All materials are provided. Bring your curiosity and love for the outdoors!