Botanical Images Scotia 2017 - Call for Entries

Botanical Scotia (BISCOT) 2017 is an international juried exhibition of botanical art in Scotland which runs every year in June.  The Call for Entries has been published and the closing date for applications for space to exhibit is 14 February 2017 

BISCOT is both an organisation and an exhibition (Botanical Images SCOTland).  The exhibition is organised in collaboration with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

This year the organising committee have endeavoured to make the application process more accessible and easier for artists

BISCOT at the Gardening Scotland Show in June 2016

BISCOT Exhibition 2017

The exhibition takes place between Thursday 1 June – 22 June 2017 and can be seen at two locations:

• Gardening Scotland Show (2nd -4th June) at The Royal Highland Showground Ingliston. Works must be hung by 2pm on 1st June in time for judging.
• The Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh (7th - 22nd June) 

There is also an exhibition preview at the RBGE on Tuesday 6 June at 5pm to which all exhibiting artists are invited.

Eligbility to Exhibit

A list is maintained by the BISCOT Panel of who has been approved to exhibit.

Those approved to exhibit (i.e. automatic eligible) are:

• Artists who have exhibited work at the RHS and gained Gold, Silver-Gilt or Silver awards (NEW: The Silver Award is a change for 2017)
• Graduates (with distinction) of the R.B.G.E. Botanical Illustration Diploma Course 
• Artists assessed as eligible to exhibit via a review of their portfolio in Summer 2016.
• Artists previously assessed as eligible - eligibility lasts for seven years after which artists need to reapply.

Exhibitors must give at least 28 days notice, prior to the start of the exhibition, to the BISCOT committee if they are unable to show work.  Artists who fail to comply with this requirement may not be considered for space the following year.
Exhibitors who have gained entry, but withdraw within 28 days before the exhibition will forfeit their entry fee.

BISCOT at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in June 2016

Eligible artwork

The number of new works which can be exhibited has been changed for 2017.

• At least six pieces of original work - all in the same media - must be displayed to be considered for an award. 
• NEW: At least two of these works must be new i.e. not have been previously exhibited in a competitive exhibition. (This has been reduced from three works in previous years)

Work MUST be: 

• original botanical artwork in two dimensions only.
  
• in an approved medium: watercolour is preferred. However coloured pencil, gouache, acrylic, graphite or ink, are also acceptable media.
  
• at least life size unless this is impractical.   A scale must be included if the subject is not life size.
• mounted and not exceed 76 x 91.5cm. (30” wide by 36” high) when mounted
  
•  include an accurate label of the plant name which is considered an integral element of the work.
  

Awards

Awards take the form of Gold, Silver-gilt, Silver and Bronze certificates. The MARY MENDUM MEDAL may be awarded to an exhibit of exceptional quality. 

How to apply for exhibition space

​You can download the application form (pdf file) for space at Botanical Scotia 2017 below.  If you print it off you can then handwrite your entry.

call_for_entry_2017form.pdf
File Size:	248 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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All applications for entry need to be received by 14 February 2017.

​I'm going to have a word with the organisers and will suggest that they do two things:

• make the form available in Word format so that people can complete it in Word and email it
• make the bank account details available to all those approved to exhibit so that people can pay the £30 fee direct VIA BACS and/or faster payments 

​That then means there is no need for postage - or associated delays or scope for the form to go missing.  It's also very helpful for international candidates. (The latter do have scope to pay the £30 fee when they arrive in Edinburgh.)

In the meantime please note that you will need to post both form - completed in handwriting - and a cheque for the fee.

Further Information: Including more details which need to be observed by those applying for space to exhibit can be found on the BISCOT website - see BISCOT - Botanical illustration International competition | Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society ​