BOTANIC ART & CLASSES
What is Botanic Art?
The art of botanical illustration is a highly specialised art form, in which plant portraits combine finely observed detail with artistic expression. Illustration (left) of Peony suffruticosa 'Rimpo' by Dianne Emery - artist and teacher of botanic art for the Friends.  The Friends 2008 Christmas Card and the 2009 Calendar are now available from the Friends' Office or go to the Gift Ideas page to download an order form
The Art of Botanical Illustration Exhibition 2008
The Ninth Biennial Exhibition, presented by the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne will be held in Domain House, Dallas Brooks Drive, South Yarra
8 to 23 November 2008
daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm
photo: illustration of Gymea Lily Doryanthes excelsa painted by Sandra Sanger (Botanic Artist and Member of the Friends Botanical Illustrators Group) Potential exhibitors can download an Artists Entry Forms Package (pdf) 
Art Classes and Workshops
Term 4 2008 will start in the week beginning Monday 13 October 2008.
Botanical Art classes are held on Tuesday evenings and in the daytime on Mondays (two sessions), Wednesdays (two sessions), Fridays and Saturdays (two sessions incl a beginner class) in the Whirling Room Studio located in the Observatory Gate Site at the RBG. Please dowload a map showing the location of the Whirling Room Studio.
Cost: 2.5hr classes $255 Friends $215 (incl GST)
3hr classes $295 Friends $255 (incl GST) For more information on Botanical Illustration classes please download an application form (pdf) or telephone our office on 9650 6398. To take advantage of the Friends' members rates please join us. Download a Membership application form or have a look at the other pages on this website for more information about the Friends.  Exhibition of Natural History works on Paper and Vellum
by Anita Barley, Dianne Emery, Mali Moir & John Pastoriza-Piñol
at WOODBINE ART GALLERY
To be opened by Dr Robin Wilson of the Museum of Victoria on Sunday 12 October at 11.00am (download invitation pdf) Exhibition dates:
12 October to 9 November
Friday to Monday from 11.00am to 5.00pm  When we think about the nature table, certain memories come alive, childhood memories, those precious moments in life where we gave ourselves room to imagine and have a sense of wonderment of the natural world around us. In this exhibition, the artists have developed these early curiosities with natural history to the level of scientific research of plants, animals and insects by documenting and recording information not easily captured in photography. Their finely detailed works bring to our attention the fragile links and connections that exist in today’s environment, highlighting the range of inter-relationships between the plant and animal kingdoms.
Amanda Ahmed Featured Botanic Artist  JOAN MASON
Joan Mason studied Interior Design at RMIT and then taught art, craft and drama at Numurkah in central Victoria. She also assisted in painting theatre back cloths for a local theatre company. Having drawn all her life, Joan was in awe when she viewed the works exhibited in an early The Art of Botanical Illustration. She enrolled in botanic drawing classes in 1998, and has since taken lessons with several accomplished teachers. Joan is an active member of both the Melbourne and Cranbourne Botanical Illustrators Groups, has exhibited successfully at numerous art shows, and has completed commissions.
.jpg) The Botanical Illustrators
A group of Members of the Friends' who meet regularly to paint, take classes and workshops, and put on exhibitions of their work. One group of Members called the Whirlybirds meet every Tuesday.  Whirlybirds
The Whirlybirds group of botanical artists meet every Tuesday, in the Whirling Room Studio, to paint and exchange ideas. Members of this friendly group range from beginners to professionals, and there is no instructor. Rather, members encourage each other in their artistic endeavours, discuss works-in-progress, offer advice, and occasionally, work on a group project. Following the success of illustrating the oaks in the RBG they are now working on the eucalypts. Any member of the Friends is welcome to join the Whirlybirds, for a small weekly fee, either to pursue their own botanical art interests or select a eucalypt to illustrate. If you would like to join the Whirlybirds please contact Sandra Sanger on 9598 9532. Cranbourne Botanic Illustrators' GroupThe Cranbourne Illustrators meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10.00am to 3.00pm in the Maud Gibson Room (which is near the Cranbourne Botanic Gardens Office). It is a small, friendly group and anyone interested is welcome to call in and visit us during that time or contact Margaret Holloway on 5998 5382 for further information.
 The Celia Rosser Medal
Inaugurated in 2002 the Celia Rosser Medal is awarded to select Botanical Artists exhibiting in the Art of Botanical Illustration Exhibitions. Celia Rosser and Anita Barley with Anita's Erythrina acanthocarpa, which won the Celia Rosser Medal
Photo: Greg Hoxley For further information follow this Art link or the Art link in the left navigation bar.  The Illustrated Garden
This project was established in 2001 by artist members of the Friends to create an illustrated record, or florilegium, of selected plants growing in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. The collection is held digitally and photographically by the Friends. | 
