Illustrated Urban Gardens

Illustrated Urban Gardens is an exhibition running June 1–29, 2017 at the City of Lafayette, Collective Community Art Center. The exhibition may travel to other venues through the fall.

This exhibition explores urban homesteading and pollinator-friendly gardening through botanical art and illustration. The show will feature plants identified as pollinator friendly and illustrations based on themes of urban homesteading. All submissions are welcome—traditionally based, contemporary, or experimental—representing a wide variety of thematic interpretations. Eligible artists are those who have participated in courses at Denver Botanic Gardens' School of Botanical Art and Illustration. Artworks of all levels and in any media taught in the school are accepted, including drawing, painting, printmaking, and other traditional media. All artwork must be original; photography and digitally generated work are not accepted, nor are giclée prints or offset lithographs.

Artists may submit up to five two-dimensional entries. Digital submissions only via CallforEntry.org are accepted. Images must be JPG files with a minimum of 1920 pixels on the longest side and maximum 5.0 MB, named with the artist's last name and artwork title (e.g., Smith_Planta communis). Submissions are accepted April 1–30, 2017, with a deadline of 11:59 p.m. MDT on April 30. Acceptances and regrets will be sent via email by May 9. Upon acceptance, artists must submit matted artwork only (no frame) with 4- or 8-ply white rag mats fitting exactly into a 16" x 20" frame (interior measurement). Pieces must be matted with both backing board and face mat, securely attached. Work will be judged on composition, technical skills, botanical accuracy, and thematic relevance. Artwork is insured by Denver Botanic Gardens during processing and transportation and by the City of Lafayette while on site. Contact [email protected] with questions.