The Friends Botanical Art Group holds regular tutored meetings and have also conducted workshops with external tutors since commencing in July 2022.
The group has:
– held the successful exhibitions in 2023 and 2024, “Perceptions of Nature: Images inspired by Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens” at Robina Art Gallery
– exhibited at two Botanic Gardens Open Days in 2023 and 2024,
– participated in the “Framing Nature” exhibition in Maleny in September 2024.
The Group began with several beginners just a short time ago. Each artist has responded to the Botanic Gardens environment in a very different and individual way, working in traditional forms such as botanical art, drawing and painting, or, in more expressive ways – in acrylics, jewellery and porcelain.
The key messages of the Friends of the GCRBG, conservation, education and engaging the community in an appreciation of our regional plants, are all embodied in their work highlighting art as an important means of sharing the delights and significance of the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens.
The Botanical Art Group particularly enjoys being able to meet and work within the Botanic Gardens, with ready access to the Living Collection, the Orchid House, the Herbarium and Friends’ flora and fauna experts.
Classes and Events in 2025
The group meets at the Friends Centre in the Gardens on Thursday afternoons from 1.30-4pm. There are two Semesters each year with a mid-year break during June and July.
Semester Two meeting dates in 2025 are as follows:
August 7, 14, 28
September 11, 25
October 9, 23
November 13
Exhibitions
The Group’s annual “Perceptions of Nature” exhibition, held at Robina Art Gallery, will this year be from October 29 to 10 November 9, 2025.
Projects
Each year the group undertakes a major project for their art work. In 2025 we are preparing a calendar of paintings of plants and animals found in the Gardens for the Friends 2026 Calendar.
For more information contact Cathryn Coutts, Coordinator on:
cathryn.coutts@gmail.com
Artwork by Cathy Coutts