Jon Rolph is a proud Kansan with a heart for hospitality and a love for people. As CEO of Thrive Restaurant Group, which operates around 200 restaurants across the country, he leads with a belief that organizations can be a force for good and help people and communities flourish. Jon pours his heart into his work, industry, and community—but still saves plenty of energy (and humor) for his biggest priority: family.

A champion for change and a pastor with a penchant to honor the Earth, the good doctor will deliver a message seeped in transcendentalism -- finding God in Nature while being surrounded and inspired by the Great Outdoors. One of her favorite places, Bartlett Arboretum, is where she's brought her Girl Scout troups, her family, and her heartfelt messages. Join us for Church of the Trees - a traditional homecoming featuring old hymns and new perspectives, Sunday morning at 10am.

Clare Vanderpool is a children’s book author best known for her Newbery Award winning novel Moon Over Manifest. She grew up reading books in strange places, like dressing rooms, the bathroom, and church. (Like you never read a book in church!)    

"If you ask anyone who knows me, they will tell you that I have a very strong connection to place. I live about four blocks from where I grew up, in an old neighborhood called College Hill. From my house I can walk to my sister’s house, the school I went to, where my kids also attended, the pool, the sledding hill, and two bookstores! If I have a particular strength as a writer, this is it: I have a strong connection to place, and for me there is a story around every corner.”

Writing workshop: Writing in the Crossroads
Craft and Creativity. Doubt and Hope. Fits and Starts. Beginnings, Middles, and Ends. The writing life is full of crossroads, detours, and switchbacks. This talk is a reflection on the writing life from one midwesterner’s perspective.

Growing Community - one tree, one Soil Sister, one hope at a time
With Robin Macy

Birdie Bartlett wears many hats; no stranger to a tractor seat, insulated clothing or a sharp chain saw. Still, she maintains a detailed data base of a volunteer army, organizes/teaches environmental education classes and produces an annual concert and art series while regularly hosting weddings, garden clubs and organizational retreats. Robin, a career educator, also writes and performs original music – compositions inspired by her work at this historic Kansas landmark.

Take a tree tour with Birdie and hear all about the renaissance.

"Drop the Needle - a romp through 20 th century American roots music with Maestro, Kentucky White

Raised on a steady diet of Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley and Tony Rice, this Kentucky native fell asleep many childhood nights with an ear next to the family hi-fi. As a result, Ken White cinched the Kentucky State Banjo Championship at age 14. At the University of Louisville Music School, he studied guitar with the late, great jazz icon Jimmy Raney while continuing to record, perform and tour with bluegrass luminaries such as Vassar Clements, Darrell Scott, Eugene Friesen, Darol Anger, and New Tradition. He has written arrangements for and performed with the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra, the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, and Symphony in the Flint Hills’ Woodfest. After stumbling into the Kansas prairie 30 years ago, he has been a featured performer with many regional groups such as Big Twang, Nouveau Quintet, The Cherokee Maidens and Sycamore Swing, Wichita Symphony Orchestra and Music Theater of Wichita. As he would say, “I play jazz for my head. I pick bluegrass for my heart.”

Annie's relationship with Nature is informed by a core belief that Land is Teacher, Healer, Sustainer. Years spent working with dirt-covered hands in forest, field, mountain and plain have led to ever-deepening kinship with the flora and fauna of diverse ecosystems. Annie has been tending the food, fruit and medicine gardens at Bartlett Arboretum since 2021, working to build upon permaculture practices to create resilient food systems.

Annie's joy is found in creating from the gifts of the land. In this broom making workshop, we will use broomcorn that we grew at Bartlett Arboretum in 2026 to craft Turkey Wing whisk brooms.

*Space is limited in this class -- please register in advance.

Longtime Bluegrass and Country Music DJ, Orin Friesen’s most-recent book is called
Honky-Tonkers & Western Swingers: Stories of Country Music in Wichita. Orin will share
stories and photos of Wichita’s rich history of Country Music during the 20th Century. He
has first-hand knowledge of the subject, having worked in radio in Wichita, as well as
performing in bands for 60 years.

Among the awards Orin has received over the years are Broadcaster of the Year from
the International Bluegrass Music Association and the Academy of Western Music. He
has been inducted into Halls of Fame five times. He has performed his music on close
to 30 albums, and live, from coast to coast, including twice at Carnegie Hall, and a tour
of China. For 18 years, during the 1970s and ‘80s, Orin was a member of Kansas’ first
Bluegrass band, led by Belle Plaine natives, Jack and Mike Theobald.

John Depew hails from the wide open prairie, where there are more cows than peple. And he kinds likes it that way. We first learned of his musical prowess when he sent Birdie Bartlett a CD of his original music. He quickly became her new favorite songwriter. Mr. Depew takes three things very seriously: his lyrics, his family, and his lifestyle in tune with the Good Earth. His song and video, Joyful Sound, was the initial inspiration for this entire Chautauqua event. Watch it here.

Tennessee-born, former Wichita Eagle editorial cartoonist Richard Crowson has been a banjo fanatic since the late 1960s. As a teen he would stand in front of his closet door mirror with his Sears Silvertone and pretend to be playing along with Buck Trent – Porter Wagner’s banjo player. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's bluegrass album "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" came out in 1972, signaling that bluegrass and the banjo had achieved "groovy" status. Therefore, Richard bounded out of the closet and began playing with Memphis area bluegrass groups. He shares is passion with students via Arts Partners organization and performs regularly with many area bluegrass ensembles. For The Arboretum's Chautauqua event, Richard's presentation is an overview of the banjo's history and a sampling of styles and songs that spotlight the banjo's sound. 

Fiddler Hall of Famer and the reason God made Oklahoma, our favorite Shelby Eicher comes to Chautauqua to teach the history of the violin. From Stradivarius to the Celts, from Kenny Baker to Bob Wills, Shelby will take us on a romp through the American roots catalogue.

Shelby Eicher cut his teeth winning fiddling contests, touring with the one and only Roy Clark, and is a frequent flyer to Bartlett Arboretum. PS - yes, he was on Hee Haw.

Denise Neil's full-time job is writing about restaurants for The Wichita Eagle. But after she took Robin's Chipped China class, she became obsessed with breaking plates. She now spends all her free time either chipping or creating subversive cross stitch pieces (or hitting up estate sales to pick up supplies for both crafty pursuits).During this session, she'll help guide you through the process of making mosaics out of broken china and other found objects and will share all the tips she's learned while perfecting her craft.

Travis Heying has been a staff photographer for The Wichita Eagle since 1996 and has covered wars, natural disasters, Super Bowls and Final Four tournaments. He also loves shooting Kansas landscapes, Kansas critters and anything else the Eagle staff asks him to do on a daily basis. Because he understands how cameras and light work, he is also an expert at creating great photography with a smart phone. In this session, he will lead people through the arboretum and show them how to use their phones to get the best pictures possible. BYOP.

In her retirement years, Kay has become an artist! She uses native prairie grasses, wildflowers, and leaves to do a variety of printing, including cyanotypes.

In this workshop, participants will collect leaves, flowers, grasses, layout, process in the sun and rinse with water for beautiful persian blue and white art pieces.

*Space in this workshop is limited - please register in advance here.

Jenny Brown is the creative force behind 316 Dye Studio in Wichita. She brings a wealth of experience with nearly two decades in fiber arts and has an unyielding passion for her craft. When not in her dye studio, you can find Jenny out in her dye garden, knitting, spinning, or likely participating in some other niche craft.

Discover the enchanting world of eco-printing and transform an ordinary bandana into a unique, one-of-a-kind, wearable work of art! In this engaging workshop, participants will learn the process of how to create vibrant and stunning imprints of botanicals onto fabric that will withstand washing and wear. No prior experience is necessary for this workshop, making it ideal for both beginners and seasoned crafters. Participants will not only take home a beautifully designed bandana, but will also gain a deeper understanding of natural dyeing and the magic it has to offer. Join us for a hands-on exploration of color, creativity, and sustainability, and walk away with a wearable masterpiece that reflects your connection to nature.

When Karen, then teaching full time for USD 259, first took a mosaics class under the tutelage of Robin Macy, nearly a decade ago, she had no idea that a new door to creativity would open wide for her. 

Fast forward through those years since she first picked up a tile cutter and smooshed grout around that first chipped china plate. Karen is a consummate teacher and loves this art of making beauty from broken things. 

This workshop provides the kind of instruction that not only gives you a make-it-and-take-it project for that day, but the knowledge for you to travel down your own path to creating future art pieces of your own.

Kelsi Depew is in the middle of fixing up and moving to an old farmstead just south of Arlington, KS. She is still deciding whether or not to grow up or get a 'real' job. She is food-motivated and cares deeply about salad quality. She is likely to tell you to buy local and drink more water.

In Kelsi's poetry workshop, we will lean into the belief that anyone can be a poet. We will practice literary tools that the master poets use and do some exercises to get your creativity up and running. Come for tips on writing great poetry, and leave with some practice tapping into your creative potential.

Jess is Bartlett Arboretum's resident Yogi and has her very own studio - Yoga State - in downtown Augusta, KS. She finds joy in deep breath, grounding movement, food from the Earth, and Ayurvedic lifestyle. She is the co-creator of the Wellness Kula, an offering for women to find balance and restoration through community retreats, yoga, and nutrition.

Jess will host yoga on the lawn each morning from 9am-10am. Awaken your senses to the changing season and ground into this weekend of community.

Jess is also hosting a sound bath on Saturday evening before dinner. 

Pete has worked at the Ferrell Ranch (established by his great-grandfather in 1888) all his life. He now devotes his time to mentoring and teaching regenerative ranch practices.

Join Pete for a conversation in conservation. He calls it "Dances With Hooves" and poses the question, "How might we create an eco-centric (nature-based) society?

Jaime Green’s life motto is also the name of her favorite Childcraft Encyclopedia book - Make and DO. 

By day she’s a visual journalist at The Wichita Eagle and on nights and weekends she’s banging on drums with the Mudbugs, playing with fabric and, well, just making stuff. She’s not afraid to start a new hobby and has too many to count. 

Some of her current interests are screen printing and printmaking. She will have tools for you to try both. You can print the Chautauqua logo on fabric and she will have printmaking stamps you can print all over stuff. Bring whatever you want to print on (t-shirt, canvas bag, almost anything) and pop in anytime between 1-5 p.m. on Saturday and noon - 4 p.m. on Sunday. 

These two friends share a deep well of love for the prairie: Kansas Native Plants Society's Krista Dahlinger and our former arboretum AmeriCorps VISTA Vicky Hilgers. They both collect native plants, sharing seeds and wisdom found only from the greatest teacher of all: Mother Nature.

Vicky and Krista Dahlinger will host a hands-on workshop where participants learn to collect, clean, and save seeds from food plants as well as native grasses and wildflowers. Concepts such as annual vs. perennials, open
pollination, heirloom, hybrid and grafted plants will be addressed. This will also be a seed swap event, and participants are encouraged but not required to bring seeds they would like to share. All are welcome to take home available seeds.

Ward Hilgers is a lifelong artist with an intriguing curiosity that blends music, art, and bonsai. He taught high school art classes in Rose Hill for 35 years and now lives in the Ozarks with his beloved wife, Vicky.

In this plein air painting workshop, Ward will demonstrate and teach the dance of loose, spontaneous landscape painting. Then, participants may choose to stay with instructor to paint or pick their own location in the Arboretum.

Two Soil Brothers bring their out-of-the box and unique perspectives to the Big Tent to delight children of all ages. Monte Markley, AKA Indiana Jones, was a feature on NPR All Things Considered. Master Falconer and Jack of Truly All Trades will be joined by a few of his feathered friends and his pal Kyle Robinson, AKA The Wizard of Odds. Kyle will be joined by his collection of crystals, rocks, and geological oddities of the Earth, with tall tales of his adventures into the darkest cracks of the planet with nothing but a headlamp and a pick axe.

Britten crawled out of a book one day and found herself sitting on a Library shelf. She saw books all around her and decided this was as big as her world needed to be. For in a Library, the world's are infinite and that would keep her busy for a while. She apprenticed and then became a Keeper of the Books. She was content for a while, until her mind started to wander. She had always respected the books for the worlds living within, but then an itch of a question began in her brain. What if, the book did not just contain the art, but was also Art itself? She left the Library and discovered that other people had asked this question before and it led them to many exciting and wonderous places. So now Britten is walking down this path exploring different ways Book can be Art. She explores this question in the forest , and the caves, and by the creek. Sometimes brings her creations out to share with people who also see the Book and understand the Art. And every once in a while she finds herself back in a Library, marveling at all the worlds on the shelves. 

Workshop: Britten's Book Binding Bazzar
Join Britten, bookbinder from Remnant Studios, as we stitch together the next edition of Good Dirt: Poetry and Prose inspired by Mother Nature.

'Round here, we call him Earth Mike. Mike joined the Sierra Club on April 22, 1971, after celebrating the very first Earth Day, and has dedicated his life to being a steward of this planet. He tends the native prairie garden at Bartlett Arboretum, along with his own backyard oasis in Wicihta, and his favorite prairie plant is Amorpha canescens (leadplant).

What is a Blue Zone? Mike is hosting a conversation to explore the common denominators of the Blue Zones of the world -- places where people live to be 100 years old at a rate 10 times greater than in the US -- and how we can live Blue Zone lifestyles no matter where we are.

Jessica L. Provines, Ph.D., L.P., is the Assistant Vice President for Wellness and Chief Psychologist at Wichita State University. She is the co-creator of the nationally recognized Suspenders4Hope mental wellness and suicide prevention program, which equips individuals and communities with practical tools to build connection, resilience, and hope.

In this workshop, participants will create a Suspenders4Hope Kit, a simple, tangible tool that promotes emotional resilience, connection, and hope. Guided by a licensed psychologist, attendees will reflect on the power of small, meaningful items, words, and practices that support positive coping during times of distress. Each participant will receive a starter kit and engage in gentle discussion about how these tools can be used personally or shared with others in times of need.

Nina Winter is a Culinary Artist at the Bartlett Arboretum, plant-based chef of MOKKO & owner/artist/educator of TISSU Sewing Studio, now in it's 12th year of offering textile arts & sewing education to the community. She is an advocate of slow foods, slow fashion & sustainable living.

In her workshop, create a nourishing vegetarian bowl of fruits, veggies & more with Arb garden greens. We will save the food scraps such as avocados and onions to eco-dye fabric. Optional: Embellish your textile with hand-sewing & embroidery. Supplies: All supplies included. Feel free to bring a small (1/2 yard or less) heirloom textile of your choice.

CityArts believes that everyone should have access to the arts and arts education. Located in Old Town, CityArts is a vibrant hub for galleries, art classes, and supporting local artists through employment and vendor opportunities.

Alisha Gridley and Lindsay Ebach of CityArts will join Chatauqua by sharing the life of Anna Atkins: the first person to illustrate a book with photographic images. Anna merged Victorian botany with the pioneering sun printing process called “cyanotype” to document plant life with bright blue (cyan) photos. Stop by our booth to capture found nature items from the arboretum in your own blue photograph. 

Stop by the CityArts tent for a quick cyanotype art project for kids of all ages. For a more in depth experience, sign up for Kay Bartel's Cyanotype Intensive.

The Touch of Memory: Etching the Legacies of the Mothers' Garden

This activity is led by the Soil Sisters, the dedicated caretakers of the plants and flowers defining the Mothers' Garden. They do more than tend the earth. They act as living keepers of this sanctuary's history and spirit.

Many of these women have their own names permanently carved into the stones embedded in the walls. They understand the profound bond between love, memory, and the physical spaces we build to honor them, making these women the perfect guides for this activity.

Creating these charcoal rubbings embraces a physical connection between your hands, the garden's permanent sanctuary, and the enduring legacy of the mothers honored here. Join in this shared, meditative experience designed to ground us in community and personal remembrance.