Exhibition Opens to Full House

An estimated 200 people were on hand in the Arthur and Janet Ross Gallery at The New York Botanical Garden for the Opening Reception of the botanical art exhibition - Green Currency: Plants in the Economy on Wednesday evening, April 20, 2011.

Many of the 41 artists whose works are on display were in attendance.  Gregory Long, President of The New York Botanical Garden, Robin Jess, Executive Director of the ASBA, and Dr. Shirley Sherwood, chair of the awards jury all spoke during the reception offering praise and expressing appreciation for the artists and all involved with making the exhibition a success.  Jeff Downing, Vice President for Education at NYBG presented the awards including a purchase award funded by a donation from collector Isaac Sutton who was also in attendance.  Awards went to: 

Gold Medal

Coconut Palm

Cocos nucifera
Watercolor on paper, 22" x 35"
by Beverly Allen

Silver Medal
Garlic
Allium sativum
Watercolor on paper, 11" x 15.75"
by Asuka Hishiki

Bronze Medal

Common Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Oil on paper, 10.5" x 9.5"
by Ingrid Finnan

Purchase Award & Honorable Mention (for a work on Vellum)
Grapes
Vitis vinifera
Watercolor on vellum, 10" x 13.5"
by Karen Kluglein

Honorable Mention (for Drawing)
Morels
Morchella sp. Morchellaceae
Graphite on paper, 6" x 7"
by Carrie Megan

Honorable Mention (for Printmaking)
Jade-Stripe Bamboo
Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata'
Hand-colored aquatint on paper, 9" x 12"
by Monika deVries Gohlke

Honorable Mention (for Artistic Merit)
Princess Tree
Paulownia tomentosa
Watercolor on paper, 14.5" x 13.5"
by Rosemary Bauman

Click here for more photos from the reception.