artwork ©Judy Simon

The Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators was founded in 1997 by Arleen Weinstein and Joan Leonard. Both women were participants in a botanical art course sponsored by The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and held at Chanticleer Garden in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Classes were taught by Louisa Rawle Tiné, who traveled weekly from New York, (where she also taught at New York Botanical Garden in the Botanical Illustration Certificate Program) to teach a small but stalwart group of fledgling botanical artists. Another member of the class, Ann Biggs, was also taking botanical illustration classes at Longwood Gardens under the tutelage of botanical artist Joan Frain. Together, these two classes formed the core of PSBI’s early membership.

Since its start, PSBI has had the privilege each spring of having an exhibit of members’ work at the famed Philadelphia Flower Show. During the show PSBI members provide demonstrations of traditional and contemporary methods of illustration. These sessions are designed to inspire other artists and to educate the public about the science and the art of botanical illustration.

In addition, PSBI has a yearly Member's Choice Exhibit, 
sponsors a program at Arcadia University for young students, and hosts workshops. 

PSBI is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 educational organization.