Potions, Poisons and Panaceas at Fulginiti Pavilion for the Bioethics and Humanities

This is an annual botanical illustration exhibition at the Fulginiti Pavilion for the Bioethics and Humanities. Artists are invited to submit work featuring botanical illustrations of plants that demonstrate or allegedly demonstrate healing, curative, or therapeutic qualities. This may include plants traditionally referenced in plant-based pharmacopeias such as feverfew, valerian, poppy, goldenseal, St. John's Wort, ginger, or marijuana, as well as more recent additions to plant-based medicine knowledge. The exhibition particularly welcomes illustrations of plants with psychotropic or mind-altering capacities, including those used in religious and healing ceremonies by groups such as the Native American Church and shamanistic cultures of Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and the Amazonian basin. Submissions may be traditionally based, contemporary, or experimental.

Eligibility is open to artists who have participated in courses at Denver Botanic Gardens' School of Botanical Art and Illustration between June 2014 and July 2016, or are active participants in the Botanical Illustration community. Artworks of all levels and in any media taught in the school are welcome. All media taught at the school are accepted, but all artwork must be original. No photography, digitally generated work, giclée prints, or offset lithographs will be accepted. Each artist may submit up to three two-dimensional entries as digital JPG files only, with a minimum of 1920 pixels on the longest side and 5.0 MB maximum. Submissions are accepted June 24—July 10, 2016, with a deadline of 11:59 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on July 10, 2016.

Accepted artists will 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 a backing board and a face mat, appropriately and securely attached. Acceptances and regrets will be sent via email by July 15, 2016. Artwork is insured by Denver Botanic Gardens during transportation and by the University of Colorado while on site. Images submitted may be used in a catalog or publicity in print or electronic form for the exhibition and for promoting the exhibition before, during, and after its run.