ArtPlantae Today

© Joan Ducore. All rights reserved

The botanical paintings and illuminations of 20 area artists will be displayed at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland. The artists, all members of the Botanical Art Society of the National Capital Region, have exquisitely painted selected subjects from the natural world. Orchids, peonies, flowering vines and arrays of spring bulbs will adorn the airy viewing spaces of the Visitor Center, along with trees, herbs, fruits, vegetables and the occasional butterfly or moth. All paintings are for sale and are portrayed in watercolor, graphite, colored pencil, or gouache, an opaque watercolor medium. The artwork chosen to represent this year’s show is Joan Ducore’s beautiful Rosa x floribunda ‘Betty Boop.’ Joan holds a certificate in botanical art from the Brookside Gardens School of Botanical Art and Illustration.

The Botanical Art Society of the National Capital Region is an active organization of talented botanical artists. Incorporated as a non-profit in 2008, BASNCR serves over 90 members, the majority of whom live in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Many of its members also belong to the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA), the premier botanical art association in the United States. Nineteen of the 20 artists exhibiting in the Art of Seeing show are also members of the ASBA.

BASNCR is open to all artists and other individuals interested in furthering the advancement and appreciation of botanical art. Botanical artists from student level to proficiency are welcomed and nurtured through education, community outreach, field trips and special projects. BASNCR members regularly participate in outreach activities to educate the public about the beauty and relevance of contemporary botanical art, while encouraging appreciation of our natural world. Over the past years, BASNCR members have contributed to the fundraising efforts of the Friends of Brookside Gardens, and donated detailed paintings of selected specimens in the gardens in honor of Brookside’s 40th year anniversary celebration.

Art of Seeing will be on display at the Brookside Gardens Visitor Center from December 5, 2010 through February 6, 2011. The Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is located at 1800 Glenallan Rd, Wheaton, MD 20902.

The press and public are welcome to attend the Opening Reception with the artists on Saturday, December 11, from 12-2 p.m. in the Visitors Center at Brookside Gardens.

Artists in the Art of Seeing Exhibition
Chiara Becchi, Doreen Bolnick, Kathy Brahney, Judy Brown, Meta Carr, Wendy Cortesi, Karen Coleman, Bonnie Driggers, Joan Ducore, Lee D’Zmura, Gail Harwood, Juliet Kirby, Pamela Mason, Linda Miller, Merri Nelson, Marsha Ogden, Kandy Phillips, Kelly Sverduk, Alice Tangerini, and Mary Jane Zander