2025 UPCOMING and CURRENT BOTANICAL EVENTS & NEWS
PRIOR BOTANICAL EVENTS & NEWS
Painting Christmas in the Longwood Gardens Conservatory
was taught by PSBI member Diana Heitzman in December 2024
Several of our PSBI members travelled to Pittsburgh, PA to attend the annual ASBA Conference -- October 16 - 20, 2024
At the Hunt Institute, we honored two esteemed PSBI members, Keiko Nibu Tarver and Margaret Saylor. Their beautiful paintings are now part of the Hunt's permanent collection.
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PSBI Attendees: Roberta Schlesinger, Diana Heitzman, Alice Waters, Sharon Gross, Deborah Dion, Nancy Flanagan, Margaret Saylor, Lynne Haggerty, and Scott Rawlins (shown in photo below)
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October 2024 -- Linda Gist, PSBI member and instructor at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, led a weekend workshop entitled "The Fruits and Leaves of Autumn in Watercolor."
September 2024 -- Linda Kneeland, past president of PSBI, led a "Fall Sketching in the Gardens" workshop at The Learning Gardens in Collegeville, PA.
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Botanical Workshop in the Swiss Alps
PSBI members Alice Waters and Lynne Haggerty attended a botanical illustration workshop in Switzerland led by artist Isik Guner, author of Botanical Illustration from Life. This experience was not only a creative retreat but also an opportunity to forge new friendships while immersing ourselves in the serene beauty of the Swiss Alps.
Each day, we enjoyed uninterrupted painting sessions in a classroom that boasted stunning mountain views. The week included a guided foraging hike, a tour of a 132-year-old alpine botanical garden featuring over 3,000 plant species, and even some rejuvenating yoga sessions. Most participants were young and new to botanical illustration, so the instruction primarily focused on foundational skills. However, as seasoned painters, Alice and I welcomed the challenges tailored to our experience levels. We took pride in serving as role models for the less experienced artists, encouraging them as they created their first botanical pieces. On the final day, Isik shared her exquisite portfolio of iris paintings and offered insights into her creative process. Alice and I trekked up and down the mountain several times a day—averaging 8,000 steps—making our way to the Les Cerniers Restaurant located below the chalets. There, we savored outstanding cuisine and enjoyed delightful camaraderie with our new friends, all of whom were fluent in several languages, including French and English. Alice’s efforts to brush up on her French before the trip proved invaluable, as she acted as my interpreter throughout our journey. The 5-day workshop took place in an eco-friendly village in the Valais region of Switzerland, nestled at an altitude of 1,200 meters, northeast of Monthey, overlooking the Rhone Valley and Lake Geneva. We extended our trip to explore Geneva and Lausanne, adding even more to an unforgettable experience! |
Our PSBI Annual Meeting, hosted by Joan Frain, was held in May
Members enjoyed look back/look forward of PSBI plans and events, followed by lunch and our annual raffle. The annual meeting is a great opportunity for members to meet and socialize.
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Annual meeting photos compliments of Mary Ellen Morris
2023
PSBI'S SPRING SHOWIn April 2023, during the week of our exhibit at the Delaware Center for Horticulture (DCH), (DCH Exhibition: The Beauty of Nature), several PSBI members attended a one-day tulip painting workshop led by guest artist Robin Jess.
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