Exhibition of botanical art at RHS Shows
Paintings and drawings
To be considered, at least six pieces of work must be displayed.
Consideration will only be given to works that are primarily of botanical interest, and paintings and drawings should be at least life-size. Miniatures are unsuitable for the Society’s RHS shows.
Particular credit is given for botanical accuracy, exact colour reproduction and attention to detail. Higher awards tend to be given to exhibits illustrating a particular theme or plant family. Pictures are judged as a complete exhibit so that if one or two works are of a lower standard than the others with which they are shown, the level of award will be affected.
Gold Medals are only awarded to exhibits of outstanding and consistent excellence.
As far as exhibits are concerned choice of subject is left to the artist. The main emphasis is on botanical interest, and the exhibit should have a coherent theme.
Paintings and drawings can be of any dimension (within reason) but, where possible, subjects should be depicted at least life-size. Where the subject is depicted more than life-size a scale must be indicated.
Whether the work is shown framed or unframed is again up to the exhibitor but the exhibit must not be a mixture of both. Work should preferably be presented in off-white single mounts and, if framed, in simple light-coloured wooden frames.
Artists sending work from abroad may arrange for someone in the UK to hang and take down the work on their behalf.
Artists may only display work previously exhibited at an RHS show in exceptional circumstances and with prior permission from the Picture Advisory Committee Secretary.
No charge is made for exhibiting at RHS shows.
Selection - new exhibitors
All artists who have not previously taken part in the RHS exhibitions before must show a sample of original work (four pieces) to the Picture Advisory Committee. Intending exhibitors who live abroad should send actual sized prints but this does not apply to UK exhibitors.
An annual selection meeting is held. The closing date for submitting work for consideration is 27 June 2012 (for exhibition in 2013 or subsequent years). Please contact the Picture Committee Secretary for information on arrangements for delivering work for consideration before sending any work.
Please note: there is no application form for submissions.
After the meeting, the Picture Advisory Committee Secretary will write to each artist, informing them of the Committee’s assessment. Artists considered suitable to exhibit should stage an exhibition within 5 years, otherwise they must be assessed again.
How to apply for space
Only exhibitors who have been accepted by the Picture Advisory Committee are eligible to apply for space.
Applications for space for exhibits of paintings and drawings should be made on forms sent out by the RHS Shows Department. Exhibitors wishing to be included on the mailing list of those invited to apply for space for paintings and drawings should contact the RHS Shows Department.
Eligible artists should ensure that the Shows Department holds their current contact details.
Exhibitors who accept space but fail to stage an exhibit without giving the Society at least three weeks' notice will not be considered in the following two seasons, unless good reasons are given.
Awards for paintings and drawings
All awards will be based on the horticultural or botanical interest and accuracy of the exhibits. Awards for paintings and drawings are awarded in the GRENFELL medal range until 2013.
Awards for exhibits of special scientific or educational merit may be awarded in the LINDLEY medal range until 2013.
The following Royal Horticultural Society medals are available for award:
- Gold Medal
- Silver-Gilt Medal
- Silver Medal
- Bronze Medal
If an exhibit is judged to be below Bronze standard no award will be made. The judges adhere to strict guidelines and all decisions are reviewed by the Moderation panel. The decision of the judges shall be final, but the Society reserves the right to refer any point in dispute to the Society's Secretary for a decision.
At each show, feedback is available after judging from a member of the Picture Advisory Committee; artists should request this on forms distributed by the Shows Department.
It has been noted that some exhibitors refer to themselves as RHS Gold Medallists or RHS Medallists. These references should be qualified by the show(s) and date(s) of the award(s). If more than one medal is referred to, at least the years in which the medals were won should be mentioned.
Medals
The first time an exhibitor is awarded a Gold Medal at an RHS show, it is sent to the exhibitor free of charge. No second Gold Medal or first and subsequent medals of any other grade will be sent unless the exhibitor wishes to pay for them. Medals are never sent out un-engraved.
Manning of exhibits
Exhibitors who are selling their paintings and drawings must ensure that their stands are manned throughout the open hours of the show. Should an exhibitor have to leave his or her stand for a short time, they should ask a neighbouring exhibitor to keep an eye on their exhibit or display clear details of contact name and telephone number.
Exhibitors are asked to show consideration to neighbouring exhibitors and avoid encroaching on their exhibit space, e.g. obscuring the work of neighbouring exhibitors when conducting business with prospective clients.
Price lists
Price lists should not be displayed until after judging has taken place.
Every exhibit containing paintings or drawings for sale should have a maximum of two price lists, which must be fastened to the background. The list/s, which should be typed or written clearly, must bear the corresponding letter or number and price of every painting and drawing which is for sale. The prices of paintings and drawings may not be advertised in any other way.
Exhibitors may display business cards and cards of their work for sale, but may not display anything of a promotional nature.
No painting or drawing forming part of an exhibit considered for a medal may be removed or substituted before the end of the show.
Exhibitors may be required to remove all or part of an exhibit that is considered unsuitable.
Signage
Each entry should bear a label giving the name of the plant or plants depicted in Latin. Signage is considered as part of the overall presentation of the exhibit and will be judged accordingly. Please contact the Picture Advisory Committee Secretary for further information.
Staging
The arrangements for staging the exhibitions will be confirmed by the Shows Department.
Display boards are light grey in colour, 2m long x 1.3m, and arranged in a zigzag fashion.
Exhibitors must make their own arrangements for transporting and hanging their pictures.
Exhibitors are expected to provide their own materials for hanging pictures. It is recommended that ‘S’ hook picture hooks and picture wire is used to hang framed pictures from the tops of the boards.
Mounted, unframed pictures can be secured to the boards using sticky-back Velcro. Exhibitors should ensure that unframed pictures are protected with transparent sheets which do not impede judging.
Pictures must NOT be nailed to the boards.