The Botanical Art Tradition

Botanical art dates back to ancient times, with plants appearing decoratively and for cultural significance in Egyptian tombs, on vases and sculpture, and in ancient Roman mosaics and paintings. In medieval times herbalists began the first medical texts, illustrating medicinal plants and detailing their curative and restorative powers. The Renaissance saw the birth of botanical realism in painting and drawing, with masters such as Leonardo daVinci and Albrecht Durer producing extraordinary drawings of plant subjects. These served the needs of art and science, combining exacting realism with an aesthetic understanding of the plant. In the Age of Exploration, as new worlds were discovered, the botanical artist was an irreplaceable part of every expedition, providing documentation of entire new families of plants. On returning home, these artists used their field sketches and painstakingly prepared herbarium sheets to create hugely popular monographs that cataloged the sights of exciting tours, enabling scientists and lay persons alike to relive the journey.

A Contemporary Renaissance in Botanical Art

The contemporary botanical artist builds on these traditions to produce images seamlessly blending old and new, scientific facts with creative skill, resulting in works that bloom gracefully and endlessly. Exhibitions, publications and opportunities for training flourish in the new millennium. Photography cannot replace this tradition, for it takes a trained eye and much skill to produce a rendering of a plant that not only reproduces the reality of the plant in structure and form, but illuminates the grace, textures and details that inform and delight the viewer.

The Mission of the ASBA:

The American Society of Botanical Artists, Inc. (ASBA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting public awareness of botanical art, its traditions and growth into the new millennium.

Fulfilling the Mission:

The ASBA supports exhibits, education, information and literature to explain botanical art, presents the genre regularly to the public, and supports botanical artists as they continue to ensure that botanical art is a living art.
The ASBA presents juried shows of members' artworks at venues across the nation. ASBA members present lectures to the public through botanical gardens, natural history and art museums and schools.
Members receive a newsletter quarterly, chock full of information on workshops, master classes, exhibits, exhibit opportunities, botany, book reviews, articles on art and the business of art, and reproductions of members' artworks. An annual meeting and conference is held at various sites throughout the US, featuring portfolio sharing, lectures, and workshops. The ASBA also provides awards and recognition to individual artists. And finally, the ASBA reaches out to the public and members alike with its website, featuring a gallery of full color artworks, links, newsletter, calendar and other topics of interest. The Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation generously hosts and maintains the site at: http://Huntbot.andrew.cmu.edu/ASBA.

Your Membership Benefits

• Four issues of The Botanical Artist newsletter, which includes the annual directory volume for networking with members in your area and worldwide
  
  
• Eligibility to enter ASBA juried exhibits
  
  
• Eligibility to present your work online at the ASBA website*
  
  
• Eligibility to apply for ASBA Artist and Education Grants
  
  
• Announcements of your exhibitions, workshops, events or group activities are published in the The Botanical Artist
  
  
• Eligibility to attend the annual meeting and conference
  
  
• Eligibility for membership in regional chapters
  
  
• Eligibility for ASBA awards

*See: Members' Gallery



To become a member, please complete the application form and mail it with your check, payable to "ASBA" to:   American Society of Botanical Artists
47 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10003 Contacts:
Phone: 1.866.691.9080
FAX: 212.691.9130   Application Form



CHAPTER INFORMATION

Allegheny Highlands Botanical Art Society
Contact: Jean Mikulla, Telephone: 412.243.1298, email: mom1613@comcast.net


Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California
www.bagsc.org
Contact: Leslie Walker, email: lesatelier@mac.com


Florida Society of Botanical Artists
Contact: Philip Phillips, plpartist@gmail.com


Great River Chapter
"Encompassing Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota"
Contact: Lynn Niskanen, email: Lynn.Niskanen@ge.com


New England Society of Botanical Artists
www.nesbaartists.org
Contact: Joyce Westner, email: jwestner@verizon.net


Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists
Contact: Kathleen McKeehen, Co-President, email: kmckeehen@centurytel.net


Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists
www.botanicalartists.org
President: Patty McAuliffe, email: pattymcauliffe@comcast.net


Southwest Society of Botanical Artists (Phoenix, AZ area)
Contact: Lynn Reves, lynnreves@cox.net