Friends' special events

Friends' events and activities are also listed under each Garden: see Royal Botanic Gardens, Mount Annan and Mount Tomah for a full list of all activities in each Garden.

Friends' special events each year include

Botanica — an exhibition of fine botanical art
Major plant and book sales
An Artisans exhibition featuring a wide range of crafts
Viewing of New Year’s Eve Fireworks from the Royal Botanic Gardens
Art Master Classes

Botanica - the Art of the Plant

The Friends' annual botanical art exhibition is known for the high quality of work shown, attracting buyers from around Australia and overseas. The theme for 2007 was music and the cycle of the seasons. To view artworks on exhibition in 2007, click here.

Botanica 2008: The Fruits of Our Labour welcomes such internationally renowned botanical artists as Victorian banksia artist Celia Rosser, Victorian artist Jenny Phillips, South Australian Herbarium illustrator Gilbert Dashorst, Queenslander Betty Hinton, and Tasmanians Lauren Black and Jenny Wilkinson. They will be joined by distinguished artists and regular exhibitors Beverley Allen, Susannah Blaxill, David Mackay, Elaine Musgrave, Deirdre Bean and Fiona McGlynn to name but a few. Kew Gardens' illustrator Lucy Smith will be the 2008 Botanica guest artist.

Botanica 2008 will run from 4 to 20 April, 10 am – 4 pm daily, Lion Gate Lodge, Mrs Macquaries Road, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney.

Join Australia’s favourite cook Maggie Beer for a delicious evening of fine art and fine fare in the beautiful surrounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens for the opening night of Botanica on Thursday, 3 April, 2008 from 6 pm to 8 pm at Lion Gate Lodge.

Please note tickets for Opening Night are SOLD OUT.

Botanical illustrators can also submit works of black & white scientific botanical illustration for the prestigious Margaret Flockton Award. Click here for details of the Margaret Flockton award 2008, including conditions of entry, submission deadline, etc.

Plant Sales and Pre-Loved Book Sales

Plants

The Growing Friends volunteers propagate tubestock from seeds and cuttings of plants growing in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Mount Tomah and Mount Annan Botanic Gardens. The stock includes unusual and hard-to-find plants, many drought-resistant. Plants are sold at the Growing Friends' weekday plant sales in the Royal Botanic Gardens at lunchtime, most Tuesdays to Fridays. See our Growing Friends' plant notes.

We also hold plant sales on the second Saturday of most months, 9 am - 1 pm, at the Royal Botanic Gardens, and at Mount Annan Botanic Garden in autumn and spring each year. The autumn 2008 sale will be on Saturday 15 March, 10 am - 3 pm.

Books

Pre-loved books on horticulture, the environment, garden design and all related topics are sold each year in the J.H. Maiden Theatre at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Profits from the sale support our donations to the Botanic Gardens Trust Library. The 2008 Booksale will be held on Saturday, 12 April, 10 am - 4pm. Donations of second-hand books are welcome throughout the year at the Friends' office.

Artisans in the Gardens

Each year in spring the Friends present superbly crafted work in a variety of media, on themes of plants and nature. The interior and garden of Lion Gate Lodge in the Royal Botanic Gardens are filled with original works for sale. Works include collectables such as textiles, glass, ceramics, and jewellery; sculptures, mosaics and more for the garden.

Artisans in the Gardens 2008 will be held from Saturday, 25 October to Sunday 2 November.

Tickets for Opening Night Friday 24 October will be available after August 2008.

If you are an Artisan who would like to submit work for Artisans in the Gardens, please contact the Friends' office on 9231 8182 or email Friends@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

New Year's Eve with the Friends

The Royal Botanic Gardens will be closed to the public for New Year's Eve, to protect the valuable plants. Huge crowds will throng to the Domain and Mrs Macquaries Point. Members of Friends of The Gardens have exclusive rights to buy tickets for entry to the Mare and Foal Lawn within the Royal Botanic Gardens. You can enjoy the relaxed ambience of the Royal Botanic Gardens, in a spacious area, and have a great view of the fireworks at 9 pm and midnight. Tickets for 2008 New Year's Eve will go on sale in September 2008.

Art Master Classes

In 2008, the Friends will be offering Master Classes in Botanical Painting and Drawing for experienced artists wishing to improve their skill, a General Class for artists with some experience covering Acrylic Still Life Painting and 'A jewellery class with a difference.'

Click here for calendar of all Friends' Events & activities.

Gardening workshop