Friends of Bushwick Inlet Park

Drawing & Painting from Photo References: Focus on Birds
2025-02-22 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Bushwick Inlet Park (86K), 86 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11249, United States
Join us for an intro to sketching and painting birds from images while learning about some of our local avian species.
Drawing from life is often considered the ideal, but capturing ever changing landscapes and moving subjects—especially birds—can be incredibly challenging.
Sketching and painting from photo references could sharpen your life drawing and nature journaling practice and be a fun way to create art from your own photos.
Cameras can oversaturate, increase contrast and auto sharpen a color image; we will make our images our own by cropping, editing and recreating lost colors and atmosphere.
We will introduce some of our local birds and discuss their unique characteristics and anatomy. We will then explain some of the tools artists have used for centuries, such as Claude glass, comparator mirror, or camera lucida and then move on to transfer methods, including the grid, graphite transfer, and device apps. We’ll touch on using watercolors, color mixing, and color matching.
You may use printed references or bring a tablet, phone, or laptop to practice the grid and graphite transfer method.
Materials Provided:

Printed bird images and magazines
5″ x 7″ drawing paper
Pencils & pens
Rulers & straight edges
Tracing paper
Graphite paper
Graphite pencils
Drafting & Washi tape
Watercolor supplies
Watercolor paper
Color Wheel

As always, please bring along your own favorite supplies if you have any!
Free Registration required.
Children above 14 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Taught by Monica Schroeder, scientific illustrator & kayaker
monbertkayak@gmail.com
Medical & Scientific Illustration
Illustration Portfolio

Watercolor Insects: Explore & Paint Insects From the Gardens
2025-03-29 13:00 - 16:00 | Bushwick Inlet Park Building, 86 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11249, United States
Join us as we explore beneficial and invasive bugs from our gardens, then paint them with watercolors.

Location
Bushwick Inlet Park
86 Kent Avenue Community Building (Inside)
Brooklyn, NY 11249

Insects are everywhere—1.4 million for every person on Earth—yet many remain misunderstood. Are wasps pests or essential helpers? How do bees sustain our food supply? And are ladybugs truly nature’s best pesticide? We will also discuss a few non-insects, such as spiders, earthworms, and nematodes.
We will then paint insects – a butterfly, ladybug, beetle and bee template will be provided.
We will also have some painted and decorative papers to potentially collage as well.
Materials Provided:

Printed insect images and magazines
5″ x 7″ drawing paper
Pencils & pens
Rulers & straight edges
Tracing paper
Graphite paper
Graphite pencils
Drafting & Washi tape
Watercolor supplies
Watercolor paper
Color Wheel

As always, please bring along your own favorite supplies if you have any!
Free Registration required.
Children above 14 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Taught by Monica Schroeder, scientific illustrator & kayaker
monbertkayak@gmail.com
Medical & Scientific Illustration
Illustration Portfolio

Bushwick Inlet Buds Yoga & Art In The Park - Session 1
2025-06-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Bushwick Inlet Park (50 Kent Ave), 50 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11249, United States
Meadow Movers
Enjoy nature themed yoga and arts. Kids 18 months-4yrs – free
Join ArtfulSouls and FBIP for a joyful blend of movement, art, and nature! Each class includes gentle toddler yoga, a nature-themed introduction, hands-on crafts, and a music or sensory wrap-up — all designed to nurture creativity, coordination, and connection to the outdoors.
Signup.
🌼 SESSION 1: Meadow Movers
🌊 SESSION 2: Waterfront Wonders
🐦 SESSION 3: Birdwatchers’ Day
🌻 SESSION 4: Little Gardeners

Sunset Yoga & Sound Bath @ Bushwick Inlet Park - Session 1
2025-06-03 18:30 - 19:30 | Bushwick Inlet Park (50 Kent Ave), 50 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11249, United States
Join ArtfulSouls and FBIP as we wind down with the sun with a all level yoga and sound healing in the beautiful setting of Bushwick Inlet Park.
It will be an evening of gentle movement and deep relaxation as the sun sets over the city. This free, all-levels community wellness session combines grounding yoga with a soothing sound bath featuring crystal singing bowls and other healing instruments.
The practice supports stress relief, nervous system balance, and emotional clarity—perfect for unwinding and reconnecting with yourself in nature. Whether you’re new to yoga or just in need of some calm, all are welcome.
Sign up.
What to Bring:

Yoga mat or blanket

Water bottle

Towel or extra layer for comfort

All are welcome | Free to attend | Open to all levels

Bushwick Inlet Buds Yoga & Art In The Park - Session 2 - *Rain Date*
2025-06-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Bushwick Inlet Park (50 Kent Ave), 50 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11249, United States
Waterfront Wonders
Enjoy nature themed yoga and arts. Kids 18 months-4yrs – free
Join ArtfulSouls and FBIP for a joyful blend of movement, art, and nature! Each class includes gentle toddler yoga, a nature-themed introduction, hands-on crafts, and a music or sensory wrap-up — all designed to nurture creativity, coordination, and connection to the outdoors.
Signup.
🌼 SESSION 1: Meadow Movers
🌊 SESSION 2: Waterfront Wonders
🐦 SESSION 3: Birdwatchers’ Day
🌻 SESSION 4: Little Gardeners

Sunset Yoga & Sound Bath @ Bushwick Inlet Park - Session 2 *Rain Date*
2025-06-11 18:30 - 19:30 | Bushwick Inlet Park (50 Kent Ave), 50 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11249, United States

Bushwick Inlet Buds Yoga & Art In The Park - Session 3 *Rain Date*
2025-06-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Bushwick Inlet Park (50 Kent Ave), 50 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11249, United States
Birdwatchers’ Day
Enjoy nature themed yoga and arts. Kids 18 months-4yrs – free
Join ArtfulSouls and FBIP for a joyful blend of movement, art, and nature! Each class includes gentle toddler yoga, a nature-themed introduction, hands-on crafts, and a music or sensory wrap-up — all designed to nurture creativity, coordination, and connection to the outdoors.
Signup.
🌼 SESSION 1: Meadow Movers
🌊 SESSION 2: Waterfront Wonders
🐦 SESSION 3: Birdwatchers’ Day
🌻 SESSION 4: Little Gardeners

Sunset Yoga & Sound Bath @ Bushwick Inlet Park - Session 3 *Rain Date*
2025-06-19 18:30 - 19:30 | Bushwick Inlet Park (50 Kent Ave), 50 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11249, United States

Bushwick Inlet Buds Yoga & Art In The Park - Session 4 *CANCELED*
2025-06-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Bushwick Inlet Park (50 Kent Ave), 50 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11249, United States
Due to the hazardous heat forecast this class is canceled.
Little Gardeners
Enjoy nature themed yoga and arts. Kids 18 months-4yrs – free
Join ArtfulSouls and FBIP for a joyful blend of movement, art, and nature! Each class includes gentle toddler yoga, a nature-themed introduction, hands-on crafts, and a music or sensory wrap-up — all designed to nurture creativity, coordination, and connection to the outdoors.
🌼 SESSION 1: Meadow Movers
🌊 SESSION 2: Waterfront Wonders
🐦 SESSION 3: Birdwatchers’ Day
🌻 SESSION 4: Little Gardeners

Sunset Yoga & Sound Bath @ Bushwick Inlet Park - Session 4 *Canceled*
2025-06-24 18:30 - 19:30 | Bushwick Inlet Park (50 Kent Ave), 50 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11249, United States
Due to the hazardous heat forecast this class is canceled.
Join ArtfulSouls and FBIP as we wind down with the sun with a all level yoga and sound healing in the beautiful setting of Bushwick Inlet Park.
It will be an evening of gentle movement and deep relaxation as the sun sets over the city. This free, all-levels community wellness session combines grounding yoga with a soothing sound bath featuring crystal singing bowls and other healing instruments.
The practice supports stress relief, nervous system balance, and emotional clarity—perfect for unwinding and reconnecting with yourself in nature. Whether you’re new to yoga or just in need of some calm, all are welcome.
What to Bring:

Yoga mat or blanket

Water bottle

Towel or extra layer for comfort

All are welcome | Free to attend | Open to all levels

Birds of BIP- World Migratory Bird Day
2025-10-11 09:30 - 11:00 | Bushwick Inlet Park (86K), 86 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11249, United States
Join Friends of Bushwick Inlet Park and the team at Save the Inlet for a special event: World Migratory Bird Day! Together, we’ll celebrate this day with a guided walk through the park to discuss the Birds of BIP and shared spaces this World Migratory Bird Day and how we can help the spaces they rely upon year-round. This is an all-ages event.

Date and Timing: Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 9:30 AM
Location: Bushwick Inlet Park

Event Location Start: Bushwick Inlet Park- 86 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn, NY (see below for “meeting place”)
Event Location End: Bushwick Inlet Park- 50 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

Sign up
…
Meeting Place
Use the provided coordinates for the meeting place at Bushwick Inlet Park at 86 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn, NY (Coordinates for park entrance meet up: 40.721607, -73.960715).

Event is rain or shine (with the exception of thunderstorms or flash flooding)

ADA Information: This event will take place outdoors on paved paths, sidewalks within the parks’ parcels, and on grass. There is a slight incline at the back of 86 Kent Avenue. Both 86 and 50 Kent offer ramps for wheelchairs and other accessibility needs.

This guided walk adheres to all NYC Park rules, including those regarding off-leash dogs. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Contact us at savethebushwickinlet@gmail.com for any follow-up questions.

Watercolor Winter Birds
2026-01-31 13:00 - 15:30 | Bushwick Inlet Park (86K), 86 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11249, United States
Please join us at the Bushwick Inlet Park Community Center for an afternoon of drawing and painting with watercolors.
Required registration.
Some birds live in New York City year-round while others migrate here just for the winter. Join Friends of Bushwick Inlet Park in the Park community center for a relaxed, adult-focused program that blends fascinating bird science with an encouraging, hands-on drawing & watercolor lesson.

This class will cover the basics of observing and drawing birds and how to transform sketches into a finished watercolor painting. Through a series of short, follow-along demonstrations, skills will be introduced which are useful for sketching from nature, keeping a nature journal, or beginning a more in-depth watercolor practice focused on birds.
Scientific illustrator Monica Schroeder will guide you through:

Sketching birds in multiple positions
A brief, artist-friendly overview of bird anatomy
Watercolor fundamentals and brush techniques
Using color (instead of black) to create light and shadow
The “mother color” technique for a more natural, cohesive look

After the guided lesson, there will be time to work on your own individual project with personalized support.
Adults and teens (accompanied by an adult) are welcome.
All materials are provided, though participants are welcome to bring their own supplies if preferred.
Materials include:

Watercolor paints, palettes, and brushes
Watercolor and/or mixed-media paper
Drawing tools

Some printed reference materials will be provided or bring your own pictures to paint if desired. Imaginary birds welcome also!

Biology/Art: The Fungus Among Us
2026-03-07 13:00 - 15:30 | Bushwick Inlet Park (86K), 86 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11249, United States
Join scientific illustrator Monica Schroeder for a beginner-friendly watercolor workshop.
Required free registration

We’ll begin with a brief presentation featuring fun facts about fungi, an introduction to color theory, and practical tips for drawing and watercolors. Then we’ll move into a step-by-step paint-along session—perfect for complete beginners and a welcome warm-up for more experienced painters.
After the guided portion, you’ll have plenty of time to relax and paint at your own pace, with Monica available for individualized guidance and feedback.
All materials are provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own supplies if you prefer:

Watercolor paper
Paints
Palette
Brushes
Pencils, Colored Pencils
Fineliner markers

Come discover the surprising science of fungi while building your watercolor skills.
Children above 14 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Taught by Monica Schroeder, scientific illustrator & kayaker
monbertkayak@gmail.com
Medical & Scientific Illustration
Illustration Portfolio

[Fungal Futures] Wetland Restoration Workshop Part 2
2026-05-30 13:30 - 15:30 | Bushwick Inlet Park (86K), 86 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11249, United States
Join us for 🍄 Fungal Futures Pt. 2!
Bushwick Inlet Park Community Room
86 Kent Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11249
Register
We’ll be exploring fungi, wetland ecosystems, and the future of ecological restoration along NYC’s waterfronts. Together, we’ll learn more about mycelium, bioremediation, native marsh plants, and the long community struggle to reclaim and protect the waterfront. It will include hands-on planting of native _Spartina alterniflora_ marsh grass during low tide as part of an ongoing effort to rewild the Brooklyn shoreline and support local biodiversity. Expect sandy shoes and hands-on learning at the water’s edge 🌊🌾✨
