Recently, FOUR of the our members heard of their acceptance into the ASBA 25th International Exhibition in New York for this coming fall! The four artists are:   – Crystal Driedger:  Heirloom beans (coloured pencil) – Kim Spink:  Nasturtiums (coloured pencil) – Sengmany Phommachakr:  Passion fruit (watercolour) – Margaret Best:  Red oak (watercolour)   This is also the first time in a juried ASBA exhibitions for Crystal and Kim.  We suspect it is also a record year for Canadian artist content in this international juried exhibition. CONGRATULATIONS to Crystal, Kim, Sengmany and Margaret!! BAGSA is beyond proud!

Due to COVID-19, “Studio” Zoom Meetings will be continued until further notice.  January to March dates have been scheduled.  All members are urged to try the technology :). If a member requires help with setting up and using Zoom, please feel to contact us.

Memberships are due on January 31, 2021. Fees are 25.00$.  Payments can be made by e-transfer or cheque.  Memberships can also be  purchased anytime during the year.  Please contact the BAGSA admin by clicking here. 2021 Membership includes: NEW!  TWO MINI-SESSIONS with two artist teachers (Artist and Dates to be announced); Open studio times (Zoom and/or in Studio when COVID-19 restrictions will allow); Kensington Art Supplies and Inglewood honours your 10% discount simply by stating that you are a member; Access to other workshops; Christmas gathering; Information on upcoming exhibitions; Field trips and Garden Visits (when COVID-19 restrictions will allow).

Don’t let COVID-19 stop you, and dig out your pencils and/or brushes and start sketching, drawing, painting with our 2022 BAGSA local exhibition in mind.  As announced in the latest zoom meetings, the theme of the exhibition will be TREES.  This exhibition is in conjunction with the Worldwide Day of Botanical Art. More details to come…  

Due to the COVID-19 situation and starting in September, registration for the open studios at Peartree Studio is now required.  There will be two 2-hour session (10am-12pm or 1pm-3pm) available with a limit of 8 members per session. To reserve your spot, register on the Events page.

BAGSA is thrilled to give a presentation to the ANPC (Alberta Native Plant Council – https://anpc.ab.ca/) study group on  – March 2, 2019 at the University of Calgary Herbarium.    This will be a good opportunity to give the group a glimpse of the past Wild in the West Exhibition as well as a introduction and history of BAGSA, Art of the Plant and Worldwide Botanical Art exhibitions.  A few BAGSA artists will be present and talked and shared their work. Please contact Suzanne Sanders (sksander@telus.net) if you are interested in joining this event or if you have any questions.  More details to come…

Catalogues are usually the sole lasting legacy of an exhibition but the limited catalogue for the Art of the Plant exhibition is more than that – it’s a collector’s item.  Graphic designers Karen Humphrey and Alexander Sakarev, produced this magnificent catalogue that’s garnered praise from botanical art sources locally and internationally. Part of what sets this catalogue aside from most is it’s structure – a 64-page catalogue of exhibition paintings, a 34-page full-colour Artists booklet, and a die-cut slipcase. Copies are still available directly from Karen’s studio by emailing orders@peartreeimpressions.com (delivery and payment will be arranged). Order online coming soon…