NEWS
WINTER UPDATE FEMMES’ FLORAL EXTRAVAGANZA
ARTISANS IS BACK
Artisans in the Garden made a triumphant post-COVID return to the Royal Botanic Garden in April, with the event generating in excess of $230,000 in sales. This year’s exhibition was curated for the first time by Libby Wright and featured a range of artists and artworks, with more than 3,000 pieces presented across mediums such as jewellery, ceramic, sculpture, hand-blown glass and textiles. More than $50,000 in artworks were sold on a warm opening night event, at which guests enjoyed the opportunity to taste a eucalypt mule cocktail from the Gardens’ new partner Archie Rose Distilling Co. Over the nine days the exhibition ran, Foundation & Friends volunteers also managed a café, which contributed almost $6,000. The success of the event comes just six months after an online-only version of Artisans exceeded expectations by delivering more than $100,000 in sales, with smaller, easily shipped works such as homewares and jewellery proving popular to an Australia-wide audience.
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THE GARDENS WINTER 2022
Exhibition Project Manager Julia Sparkes confirmed that Artisans will be back at the Royal Botanic Garden in late October – the first time two Artisans exhibitions have taken place in the same year. "The success of our first event shows that people are exceptionally eager to reconnect with the Gardens by supporting events such as Artisans," says Sparkes. "I’m confident that enthusiasm will flow through to October, when Artisans will celebrate its 21st anniversary. To mark the occasion, we will be inviting 21 artists, whose work has spanned the history of the event, to take part. In addition, we will be displaying work by some exciting upcoming artists.”
FEMMES 19–28 AUGUST
Entry $20 adults / $10 seniors & children The Calyx, Royal Botanic Garden botanicgardens.org.au/What-s-On
ARTISANS IN THE GARDENS 29 OCTOBER–6 NOVEMBER 10AM–4PM Opening Night: 28 October Lion Gate Lodge, Royal Botanic Garden botanicgardens.org.au/artisans
Jane Austen, Petunia's Flowers
Photos: Fleurs de Villes, © Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust
Lisa Hoelzl
The Royal Botanic Garden will host an eye-catching exhibition in August showcasing the unique work of Sydney’s most creative florists. Femmes, curated by Fleurs de Villes in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, will be a 10-day floral exhibition celebrating “strong, remarkable women”. Created in 2016 by two Canadian friends, Fleurs de Villes organises floral exhibitions in major cities around the world. In each destination, the company invites local florists, designers, growers and nurseries to create floral couture “beyond the bouquet”. As well as showcasing the work of Sydney florists, the event will offer a range of pop-up activations, including flower-market stalls, floral-themed cocktails, workshops, talks by expert scientists and horticulturists, high teas and bespoke dining experiences. Foundation & Friends has been nominated as the exhibition's charity partner.
