PSBI, the Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators, was started in 1997 by Arleen Weinstein and Joan Leonard, two artists in a newly formed botanical illustration course sponsored by The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. The classes, begun in 1995, were held at Chanticleer Gardens in Wayne, PA and were taught by Louisa Rawle Tine'. Louisa is a nationally recognized, award-winning botanical illustrator who has taught at The New York Botanical Gardens since 1985 in their Botanical Illustration Certification Program. Louisa came from New York to Wayne once a week for class to teach a small but stalwart group of fledgling botanical artists. One of the members of this class, Ann Biggs, was also taking a Botanical Illustration class at Longwood Gardens under teacher Joan Frain. These two classes formed the core of PSBI's early membership.

In April of 1997, PSBI began with two goals. The first was to promote botanical illustration and provide venues for artists to exhibit. The second goal was to create interest in this art form, which has a long tradition in our area starting with John Bartram, the founder of North America's first botanical garden in 1728. Another aim was to create non-competitive, nurturing relationships among our members.

Because of Arleen's association with PHS, we were given an opportunity to exhibit in the train shed to the Philadelphia Flower Show from 1998 through 2002. These were self-juried shows and all members had the opportunity to exhibit, as well as educate the public about botanical illustration.

During those early years, PSBI saw the importance of classes and workshops. Louisa was asked to continue teaching her classes, now through our organization. Louisa's class still meets twice a year at Chanticleer, administrated by Pam Oakes. Meetings were set up to educate us on the history of botanical illustraton: we had a visit to PHS's collection of antique botanical art,a talk by Arcadia Art Department Chair, Scott Rawlins, about his painting trip to the Amazon, and a meeting on how to make slides of your artwork, among others. After a few years the group included members from surrounding states and had become an organization that continued to grow. Pam Oakes became President in 2000, continuing our meetings, educational workshops, and our participation in the Philadelphia Flower Show. While Pam Oakes was PSBI President, the organization began the process of achieving non-profit status.

In 2002 the group attained non-profit status thanks to Barbara Neswald. With our non-profit status, we considered community outreach. As part of our outreach, beginning in 2003, PSBI donated a series of scholarships for gifted high school students to study botanical art through the Fleisher Art Memorial. Three PSBI members per year have donated their time to teach these classes. In another educational outreach, we participated in The Urban Field Station at The Philosophical Society, which is also in Philadelphia. During this two-month summertime field station set up in the city, our members helped children of all ages try their hand at botanical art.

After serving as Vice President with Pam Oakes, Joan Frain became President in May 2003. Actually, it was a joint presidency with Fran Phaneuf (Executive Vice President). These officers shared the load equally. During this two year period the emphasis was on finding more opportunities for the members to get together, share, and exhibit their work, as well as to continue our community outreach and education of the public to the history and beauty of botanical illustration. In 2003 we were invited to have an exhibit in the Garden Gallery in the main hall of the Philadelphia Flower Show. This was a great honor. In 2005, we were invited to have our own space in the Flower Show and we have been invited again in 2006. In addition to these exhibits we have also had two successful shows at the Morris Arboretum, one at the Delaware Center for Horticulture, one at the Tyme Gallery, one at Gallery One, and shows at many other excellent venues. Some of our members have also been juried into such prestigious exhibits as The Hunt Institute's International Exhibit, The ASBA Longwood Gardens Centennial Orchid Exhibit, The National Capital Orchid Show, and The Maryland Orchid Show.

Our membership consists of award winning professionals in the field of botanical art, well qualified instructors, and gifted amateurs at all levels of expertise working together with the same goals as our founders - to provide botanical artists with education and support, and to advance public awareness of botanical art in the greater Philadelphia area. Currently Pat Field provides us with an informative Website (www.psbi-art.org). Joan Leonard edits our quarterly newsletter, which Ingrid Graham publishes. Linda Kneeland's served as our President from 2005-2007. Virginia Fitzpatrick, our current President, continues to build PSBI. In 2006 we had two field trips. One to New York for the ASBA show at The Horticultural Society of New York and the Redoute' Exhibit at The New York Botanical Gardens; and another to Pittsburgh's Hunt Institute to see the work done in the Amazon by Margaret Mee. In 2007 we celebrated our 10th anniversary with an exhibit at Chanticleer Garden, a Founders Luncheon, and a book of members work.