Creating and Using a Flower Press

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Preserving Botanical Beauty
Dr. Angela Mason Foster

Rescheduled New Date — Saturday, February 28, 2026 – 10:00am–12:00pm

Celebrate the art and science of preserving nature with this hands-on workshop exploring the timeless craft of flower pressing.

Participants will learn about the history and purpose of botanical presses, compare traditional and modern styles, and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different designs—from classic wooden and cardboard models to lightweight field presses and microwave-assisted systems.

Under the guidance of Dr. Angela Mason Foster, participants will gain insight into how plant material structure, moisture and handling affect preservation quality. The discussion will include tips on collecting and preparing specimens for pressing, selecting the right blotting materials, and storing and labeling finished pieces for artistic or scientific use.

The second half of the class will be fully hands-on. Each participant will assemble a durable, take-home flower press using precut materials provided by the JCRA. You'll leave with a beautiful, functional tool ready for your next walk in the garden—or for preserving memories from your own backyard blooms.

Whether you are a gardener, artist, nature enthusiast or budding botanist, this workshop offers a perfect blend of creativity and horticultural science.

Registration fee includes all materials needed to create one 9" x 12" flower press. Youth, 13 to 17 years old, may participate if accompanied by an adult. Youth are included in the adult registration for one flower press. If both youth and adult want to make a flower press, both would need to individually register to each make a flower press.

About Dr. Angela Mason Foster

Dr. Angela Mason Foster is a professor at Craven Community College, serving as the 2024–2025 President of the Washington Garden Club, District 12, and as an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer. She writes the weekly Dishing the Dirt gardening column for the Washington Daily News and champions sustainability through education and community outreach.

A dedicated beekeeper and advocate for the arts, she enjoys creative expression and is an avid reader. Dr. Foster earned her PhD in Biological Anthropology and Anatomy from Duke University, where her research took her to Madagascar to study sifakas and the island’s distinctive flora.

Age

13+ (ages 13 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult for the entire program). Youth are included in the adult registration for one flower press. If both youth and adult want to make a flower press, register both as paying participants.

Cost

$30.00 per participant. All materials to create one 9" x 12" flower press are included in registration fee.

Registration

Advance registration is required. Register through our online registration store.

Registration is considered complete when payment is received. You will receive a confirmation receipt from notify@cashnet.com when registered.

Cancellation

Program cancellations can be made up to two weeks before the program's start date. No refunds will be made after this time. A 15% cancellation fee applies.

To request a cancellation, send an email to the JCRA Education Team at jcraprograms@ncsu.edu with the participant name and program information.

Location

Ruby McSwain Education Center, JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC 27606.

Directions

Need directions? Click here.

Parking

Free parking is available at the JC Raulston Arboretum and along Beryl Road.

Questions

Contact the JCRA Education Team at jcraprograms@ncsu.edu for more information about this program.