Botanical Art on View at The Hort

Sept. 29, 2011 - PRLog -- The Fourteenth Annual International Juried Botanical Art Exhibition 2011 runs through November 23rd at The Horticultural Society of New York.  

Forty pieces of original contemporary botanical art, selected from a field of 198 submissions, all by members of the American Society of Botanical Artists are on display.    Artists from thirteen states and 5 countries are represented in the show. This year's exhibition displays familiar plant life along with strange and interesting exotics in a broad range of media. Each artist brings a unique interpretation to their chosen subject.

The opening reception on September 21st attracted artists, prominent collectors and enthusiasts to view works by today’s most accomplished botanical artists.  Awards presented at the opening reception by Carol Woodin, ASBA’s Director of Exhibitions included:

Best in Show
Lizzie Sanders
Nepenthes sp.
Nepenthes

ASBA
Award for a Work of Excellence
milly acharya
Prunus cerasus
Sour Cherry

Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Award for a Drawing or Print
Bobbi Angell
Malus domestica
Apple

Talas Award
Heeyung Kim
Apocynum cannabinum
Indian Hemp

New York Central Art Supply Award
Karen Kluglein
Rosa 'Tamora'
Tamora Rose

Ursus Books & Prints
Award for an Artwork of Merit
Margaret Farr
Mertensia virginica, and other wildflowers
Virginia Bluebells, Purple Deadnettle, Wild Carrot, Hedge Bedstraw, Grape Hyacinth

Honorable Mentions

Christine Battle
Eucalyptus Leucoxylon subsp. Megalocarpa
Large-fruited Yellow Gum

Jean Emmons
Hydnellum aurantiacum
Orange Tooth

John Pastoriza-Pinol
Castanea sativa
Spanish Sweet Chestnut

Ongoing coverage is available at http://www.asba14thannual.blogspot.com.  New artwork will be posted to the site throughout the run of the exhibition.  All artwork is for sale.  Inquiries regarding the purchase of artwork should be directed to asbaexhibitions@aol.com.

A catalog of the exhibition including an essay by Carol Hamilton is available from ASBA through ArtPlantae Books at www.artplantaebooks.com .  

Classes taught by ASBA members are being held at The Hort in conjunction with the exhibition.  

Monday, October 17
Exploring the Science of Botanical Art
Instructor: Dick Rauh

Thursday, November 3
Prickly Subjects
Instructor: John Pastoriza-Piñol

Monday, November 21
Grisaille Technique in Botanical Painting
Instructor: Wendy Hollender

The Horticultural Society of New York is located at 148 West 37th Street, 13th Floor, New York City, New York.  Gallery Hours are Monday - Friday noon to 6pm and by appointment.  Directions and information about classes are available at http://www.thehort.org.

ASBA Media Contacts:   

Jody Williams, PR Committee Chair, 314-341-0225, asbapublicity@sbcglobal.net
Carol Woodin, Exhibitions Director, 917-922-6330, asbaexhibitions@aol.com
Robin Jess, Executive Director, 866-691-9080, asba@aol.com

The Hort Media Contact:

Chris Murtha, Curator, 212-757-0915, ext. 121, cmurtha@thehort.org

ASBA Background

Cultivating the field of botanical art since 1994, the ASBA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting public awareness of contemporary botanical art, to honoring its traditions, and to furthering its development.  The vision of the ASBA is to recognize and encourage the highest standards of botanical art created by its members; to create an awareness of botanical art as a living art form with exhibitions in major museums around the globe; to acknowledge the power of botanical art to communicate the importance of plants to our world whether through conservation, science, horticulture or agriculture; to pass this art form and its techniques on to the next generation of botanical artists; and to expand the vision of botanical art while honoring its rich tradition and history.  For more information: visit www.amsocbotartists.org

The Hort’s Mission

The Horticultural Society of New York cultivates the inner-relationship between plants and people to promote individual, community, and environmental health and well-being.  The Hort’s cultural and social service programs foster the appreciation and practice of horticulture.

# # #

The ASBA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting public awareness of contemporary botanical art, to honoring its traditions, and to furthering its development; open to individuals and institutions worldwide with an interest in botanical art.