Workshops at Abernethy & Spencer

  ❄️ 1/21/2026: Workshop Weather Update
Due to the bitter cold and expected snowstorm, 

we’ve postponed this workshop.
Workshop was originally scheduled for January 25 at 1:00 PM
➝ Rescheduled to Sunday, February 1 at 2:30 PM
If you purchased a workshop ticket and can’t attend the new date, please email hillary@abernethyspencer.com for a refund.


❄️ Thank you for your understanding and stay warm! 

Join us in The Glassroom on Sunday February 1, 2026 at 2:00pm to mount a Staghorn Fern.  

During this hands-on workshop, you will follow along each step of the process, and go home with a piece of living art! Along the way, we will talk about the intriguing staghorn biology, their unique fronds, and the specific but easy care they need to stay healthy & beautiful on their displays. 

By the end of class, you’ll leave with a fully mounted staghorn fern of your own, along with all you need to know to care for it for years to come (they can live for decades and decades!!)!

 Join our interactive "Fruit Tree Pruning Mastery" workshop tailored for both beginners and experienced gardeners alike, where you'll unlock the (easy!) secrets to healthier fruit trees, bigger yields, and fewer problems/pests. 

Led by an experienced gardener, Jim Knowles, you'll learn precise cutting techniques, seasonal timing, and tree-specific goals to avoid common pitfalls like disease entry or weak growth. Walk away with the confidence to wield your pruners like a pro, and with important knowledge that otherwise takes years of practice & study to accumulate. Understanding the basics will allow you to transform your fruit trees into productive, beautiful specimens that reward you & your family season after season. Perfect for beginners and seasoned growers—spaces are limited, so sign up now for your fruitful future!

***Please note: This workshop takes place over the course of two days. You may attend the first course without attending the second course, BUT you cannot attend the 2nd course without attending the first.

The first course will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 2pm-3pm in the GLASSROOM at Abernethy & Spencer. During this time, we will go over an abundance of information, demonstrate examples, and answer any and all questions you might have. The cost to attend is $20. You will go home with a packet of information to reference in the future.

The second course will take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at a local farm (address to be provided at the first course) with countless mature orchard trees that are ready to be practiced on by you! Come stand beneath mature fruit trees and implement what you learned in the first course.

There are two ticket options for the second course:
$200 Ticket - Bring your own pruning tools and go home with hours of training and hands-on practice. This includes the ticket for the first course.

$250 Ticket - Receive a set of Niwaki pruning tools (appox $180 value) and go home with hours of training and hands-on practice. This includes the ticket for the first course.

Join us on Sunday February 8, 2026 from 1:00-2:15pm in the Conservatory for a relaxed, sensory-friendly Meet the Characters event from Alice in Wonderland, JR., put on by

 Arts for All Loudoun! 

A main-stay of the fine arts community in Loudoun County for 35 years, Arts for All Loudoun provides exceptional opportunities in Loudoun County, VA, for artists and performers with disabilities to participate in a creative, inclusive community.  

Drop in anytime, say hello, take photos, and explore Wonderland at your own pace.  Free and Family Friendly!