Join us for a fun session with artist Nicholas Ta of Reef Renders painting miniature animals printed by the talented Hannah Caisse! Participants will learn how to decorate and paint their model, learn about natural history of the species they’re working with from a special guest herpetologist Dr. Emily Taylor, and get information about wildlife, 3D printing, and painting miniatures! Registration includes a paint kit, a choice of miniature (tiger salamander, long toed salamander, California newt, or a rattlesnake), as well as all the supplies you need to create your masterpiece. You also have the option to bring your own container for a wet palette! This is going to be a fantastic event, and we’re looking forward to seeing folks!

Details
Cost: $45 per person/3D model
Registration: Required as space is limited
Location: At the Museum
Doors Open/Close: 10:30am/1:15pm
Age Range: 8 and above (children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times)
What to Expect: Your registration includes all tools and a 3D model of choice to paint, as well as guidance from an expert and discussion with a well-known herpetologist about these animals.
Accessibility: This activity requires the ability to use paint and pick up small objects. Helpers are allowed to assist someone with the activity at no additional cost if needed.
Duration: 3 hours

About Hannah Caisse:
Hannah Caisse is a science illustrator, naturalist, and educator. Her combined background in evolutionary biology and art is an invaluable asset when she creates scientifically accurate and engaging renderings and illustrations. Hannah's ultimate goal is to generate a greater understanding of the natural world and to foster a sense of wonder for the potential of the imagination grounded in science. Previous works include publications in paleontology, anthropology, and astronomy, including collaborations with the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology, Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, University of California-Santa Cruz, and Dickinson College. When not illustrating or making digital models, Hannah is usually rock climbing or out in nature, seeking anything small and furry or smooth and scaly.

For any questions about the day please contact Nicholas at: info@reefrenders.com, for questions about the space, timing, or signup for the event, please contact Noelle at: Fletcher@pgmuseum.org

Returns and Refunds: Your admission is eligible for a full refund up to 1 week before the event. Your admission spots are transferable, you are welcome to have someone else in your place if you cannot attend. Please alert PG museum or the above email so we may update the guest roster. If you are unable to attend and have missed the refund period; We are happy to compile a small take home kit for you to pick up in the future as a thank you for your support. 

Wait list: If the event is sold out, the sign up button will be replaced with a wait list request prompt. If the event fills up much earlier than anticipated. We will work with the venue about accommodating more seats.

Online sign up cut offs: this online portal will cut off 3 days (February 3rd) prior to the event date. The wait list request will still be available and actively tended to lead up to the event.

Join the Master Gardeners to learn about native plant gardening while helping the Museum. This is a free, family-friendly event. Supplies provided.

Join Dr. Emily Taylor as she takes us through the amazing world of California’s amphibians! Dr. Taylor will share stories from her new book and have a book signing as well as other merchandise for sale after the talk. If you love frogs, salamanders, newts, and tadpoles, this talk is for you!

Please note: this is a family-friendly event, but as it is a talk children will need to be able to sit in their chair for about an hour. If this doesn’t feel like it would work, we recommend joining our painting party the next day!

Opening in February 2026

This is a youth exhibition at the Monterey Airport showcases nature journaling and illustration by Monterey County youth. Nature journaling is a tool to observe nature by slowing down, paying attention, and noticing the curious things around us. The exhibit will be open through March and there will be a public reception from 4:30-6:00 on 2/24.

PGMuseum.org/Exhibits

From January 14-31, enjoy 10% off all bird sponsorships! A perfect time to adopt and make a difference both for the Museum and for yourself or your loved one(s). Each adoption lasts one year and includes a plaque with who the bird was adopted by or for. Enter BIRD26 at checkout to receive the discount when you adopt your bird!

Join us for a special bird walk with the amazing Amanda Preece! This walk will be ADA accessible and open to all ages. We’ll be keeping a focus on shorebirds and their allies this time, as there are likely to be lots of winter migrants in by this point in the season! Sign up below to reserve your spot and get details on where to meet.

Join us to learn all about Costal Ecology and Migrations.

A special new exhibit: Tethered Light, by artist Raphaele Cohen-Bacry, will be on display at the Museum from January through April. Raphaele’s sculptures use locally-source driftwood and human-made materials to highlight the connections between natural and human communities and their work to preserve and grow in an ever-changing environment. This exhibit can be seen with general admission, and a special digital meet-and-greet will be held on Sunday, February 22nd.

PG Museum will team up with ArtAbilities to bring nature observation and nature journaling to children and adults of all abilities in the Rip van Winkle Preserve in Pacific Grove.

Calling All High School Teachers: Dive into LiMPETS with a Rocky Intertidal Monitoring Workshop!

You will receive:

• A 5-unit curriculum aligned with NGSS and Common Core 

• Hands-on training on all aspects of intertidal field science 

• Tools and staffing support for facilitating student community science and related research posters and community action projects

• A $100 stipend plus your $30 deposit refunded

This training is required every five years in order to participate in the LiMPETS rocky intertidal field trips.

Join us for a very special night with Ian Nelson, director of Western Monarch Butterflies: Protecting Our Pollinators. We’ll host an exclusive screening followed by a Q&A with Ian. It will be a fantastic night for anyone passionate about monarch butterfly conservation. Proceeds from the evening will be split between the Museum and Ian, so we can both continue our work in helping to conserve these beautiful and important animals.

Due to the popularity of this event registration is required and any seats not taken by 5:30 will be given to those on the waitlist if the talk sells out.

Details
Cost: $12 for Museum Members, $20 General
Registration: Required as space is limited
Location: At the Museum
Doors Open/Close: 5:10pm/6:00pm
Age Range: Teen and above
What to Expect: Your registration includes a special screening and Q&A with Ian where you will get the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and explore the world of monarch butterflies.
Accessibility: This screening will have accessible seating and closed captions will be available.
Duration: 2 hours

From January 14-31, enjoy 10% off all bird sponsorships! A perfect time to adopt and make a difference both for the Museum and for yourself or your loved one(s). Each adoption lasts one year and includes a plaque with who the bird was adopted by or for. Enter BIRD26 at checkout to receive the discount when you adopt your bird!

Staff and/or volunteer at a highly visible place overlooking Lovers Point with our event feather flag talking about what the king tides are and how they can contribute to our ecosystem.

We will be closed 1/2/2026 and back to regular business hours on 1/2.

We will be closed 12/25 and back open with regular hours on 12/26.

Join us for a day of tidepooling and sketching with Cady DeLay! All levels of experience are welcome to join the fun!

Join us for our third annual Winter Wreathmaking workshops! We have a wonderful day planned and can’t wait to see what you create. We’ll provide the supplies and materials to create the wreath of your dreams including boughs, florals, ribbons, and molds, as well as snacks and hot cider and advice from our staff. You just have to show up and enjoy! This year we’re doing things a little differently: Adults who want to accompany their kids to make a wreath but not to make one themselves do not have to pay full admission. See below for more details, and sign up for either the 10:00 or 1:00 sessions below!

Details
Cost: $15 for Museum Members, $25 General, $10 kids 6-12, $5 for parent or guardian who is not going to make a wreath.
Why $5 if I’m not making a wreath? We love to have you with us helping children or friends make their wreath, as we’re providing all supplies and food at-cost, we ask for a small donation to participate.
Registration: Required as space is limited
Location: In the Museum Classroom
Age Range: 6 & above, children younger than 6 can accompany an adult who is making their own wreath.
What to Expect: Your registration includes two hours to create your wreaths with all tools and supplies provided. You’ll also get to help yourself to homemade non-alcoholic mulled cider and holiday snacks.
Accessibility: This class is formatted to people with all abilities, and helpers can be available if needed. Hand-coordination to cut ribbon and/or greenery and mold wire will be needed but can be provided by helpers.
Duration: 2 hours