Art Societies: two new exhibitions

Just a quickie to alert people to the exhibitions of two art societies taking place this week in central London.

Society of Botanical Artists
Flowers and Gardens 20-29 April 2007,
Venue: The Lecture Hall, Central Hall, Westminster, Storey’s Gate London SW1
Dates: Friday 20 April to Sunday 29 April 2007
Opening times: Daily from 10am to 5pm including Sundays
Free Admission
All work for Sale

The annual exhibition of the Society of Botanical Artists started last Friday and closes on Sunday - so if you like botanical art and can get to London this week then do pay a visit. Last year's exhibition was simply stunning - with a very high quality of work on display and I'm sure this year will be just the same.

There are daily demonstrations by artists who are members of the society - including well known coloured pencil artist Ann Swan (on Tuesday 24th).

"The art of botanical painting continues even in the face of enhanced photographic technology and the digital revolution, for there is simply no substitute for the discerning talents of the artist capturing the essence of plant form."

Professor Peter R Crane FRS, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: excerpt from his foreword toThe Art of Botanical Painting

Royal Society of Portrait Painters
Annual Exhibition
Venue: Mall Galleries, The Mall London SW1Y 5BD
Dates: 26 April 2007 - 13 May 2007 (closes 1pm)
Opening times: 10am - 5pm including weekends and public holidays. Open to 7pm Tuesdays & Thursdays
Entry is £2.50, concessions £1.50

The Society started in 1891 and has included a number of eminent artists as members - including Whistler whose self portrait is featured in the image. The annual exhibition at the Malle Galleries features new works by Society members but also selected works by non-members.

I'm going to the Private View of the RSPP on Wednesday and will be trying to get to the SBA exhibition on either Tuesday or Wednesday. I'll report back on both later this week.

Technorati tags: art, botanical art, exhibition, portrait