Specialty Programming

The Wagner periodically hosts special, after hours events aimed at developing a deeper understanding of our collection through the eyes of an artist or an expert. During Sip & Sketch events, participants can enjoy light refreshments as they sketch from our vast collection under the guidance of a guest artist. During Evening with an Expert events, a guided tour is led by a leading scientist or academic who uses their own expertise to take a deeper dive in a particular area of the Wagner’s rich national history collection. Specialty programs like these require a fee and advance registration to attend.

PREVIOUS PROGRAMS

  • Sip & Sketch with Cait McCormack

    Wednesday, December 6, 2023
    5:30 - 7:30pm at the Wagner

    Explore the Wagner’s rich collection of specimens on a whole new level, with pencil, paper, and a cocktail - to get your creative juices flowing! This evening series invites participants to experience the collection through art a guest artist, whose own work explores science and nature, leads attendees in sketching from the museum specimens, accompanied by light refreshments and a seasonal cocktail provided by the Wagner.

    Visit the Artist's Website

  • Birds in Art with Darla Jackson

    Thursday, December 8, 2022
    5:30 - 7:30pm

    For Birds in Art, we welcome guest artist Darla Jackson who will talk about how artists have used birds in their work throughout history. She will also talk about the difference between drawing and sculpture, and the elements she considers during both processes as she guides attendees in drawing from the Wagner’s collection of birds.

    Visit the Artist's Website

  • Sip and Sketch with Marguerita Hagan

    Thursday, February 27, 2020
    5:30 - 7:30pm

    Capture the Wagner's sea creatures on paper in an evening of drawing with guest artist Marguerita Hagan. See some of the works and process behind her La Mer ceramics series, which magnifies the largest yet least-known element of our planet, the ocean. Then, enjoy Marguerita's guidance as you draw in the museum.

    Visit the Artist's Website

  • Evening with an Expert—Revealing Skeletons: Clues to Evolutionary Connections and Adaptations an in-depth tour with Ted Daeschler, Ph.D.

    Wednesday, October 16, 2019
    5:30 - 7:30pm

    Could you tell the difference between a gorilla skull and a human skull? Led by vertebrate paleontologist Ted Daeschler, Ph.D., we will explore the Wagner’s collection with an eye on vertebrate skeletons. The evening will be punctuated by exploratory activities to put new knowledge to use in the ample skeletal collection.

  • Evening with an Expert—Seashells: Around the World and Back Again with Paul Callomon

    Thursday, May 2, 2019
    5:30 - 7:30pm

    Malacologist Paul Callomon will guide a small group of participants through our cases, where you’ll find mother of pearl, perforated quahogs, translucent argonaut shells, and of course the iconic Nautilus. Paul will explain why our collection is laid out the way it is, why it’s so tricky to define a mollusk, and what it has meant to be a shell collector over the last couple of centuries