San Francisco Botanical Garden

Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture

Library Events

Art Exhibit

"Plants in Transition "

Watercolor and drawings
by Jeanne Lotta-Sellars

July - September

San Francisco Botanical Garden Society presents Plants in Transition, an exhibition of botanical watercolors and drawings by Jeanne Lotta-Sellars.

In her collection Plants in Transition the artist explores the cycles of life and death through plant material. “I might see a small insignificant plant item and be drawn to it for its simplicity, or its complexity,” explains Lotta-Sellars. “Lifting the humble to a place of prominence through artistic expression is a joy for me. The strength in the waning plant giving nourishment and continuity, and the promise of future in the waxing plant appeal to me.”

“Lifting the humble to a place of prominence through artistic expression is a joy for me.”

Jeanne Lotta-Sellars comes to botanical art through an extensive background in fashion and fabric design; a professional costumer, she has been a Costume Production Supervisor for the San Francisco Opera. “In an attempt to improve my ability to paint and design flowers for creating fabric and surface design, I found myself taking botanical drawing and painting classes at SFBG several years ago. I was won over by the wonderful subject matter and have been pursuing my interpretation of botanical painting since."

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DETAILS



        

DATES: 
          July 1 - September 30, 2009

                      

                      ARTISTS' RECEPTION 

          Thursday, July 9, 5:00 – 7:00pm at the Helen Crocker Russell Library.


          

            FOR SALE

          Original watercolors and drawings on sale with a portion of proceeds supporting the library.

“Painting provided a help to me last year, a challenging time in which my sister and best friend, Cherri, was ill and finally died. Cherri chuckled when I stooped to pick something dried and dead on the ground for my next painting. It was useful to have a focus outside the realm of her treatments and what we were going through."

“Plants in Transition” is dedicated to the memory of the artist's sisters Cherri and Lori. The artwork in the exhibition will be available for sale, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Library.

Educational Background
Certificated programs in fashion design and fabric/surface design

Professional Background
Clothing design and Costuming
Dressmaker for private clients
Costumer: Draper for various projects; Costume Production Supervisor for SF Opera
Technical Designer in the industry for clothing and soft goods: specs packs and fitting
Freelance art work for the industry

Have been painting botanical subject matter for 3 years.

Shows
October, Nov, Dec 2006 – group student show- Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture at Strybing Arboretum – S.F., CA

January 2007 – group show - Estaban Sabar Gallery, Oakland, CA

March 2007 – group show – Vacaville Art Gallery, Vacaville, CA

April/May – Juried show – Vacaville Art Gallery, Vacaville, CA – merit award

June/July 2007 – Juried 9th Annual Filoli Botanical Art exhibit, Woodside, CA

June/July 2008 – Juried 10th Annual Filoli Botanical Art exhibit, Woodside, CA

November 2008 – group show City College of San Francisco

December 2008 – group show - Kings Gallery, San Francisco, CA

General Exhibit Information

Library hours: 10 am - 4 pm, seven days a week (closed on major holidays), free of charge. Exhibitions of plant- and garden-related drawings, paintings, photographs, and educational displays run for three-month periods. Twenty-five percent of all art sales benefit The Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture.

Story Time & Family Walk

Looking for a fun, free and easy-to-coordinate activity? Join us in our cozy children’s book nook with comfy kid-sized cushions, a bevy of stuffed animals and lively readers.

Afterward, families can enjoy a special children's tour of the garden led by a docent. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

This event is suitable for children ages 4-8. Held on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month at 10:30 am, Story Time lasts approximately 30 minutes. The tour leaves the Library at 11. The Library also has an excellent collection of books for children on plants, natural history, general science, and nature-related myths and stories.

2009 Storytime Schedule:
Recommended Reading

New Books and Old Favorites Including a Featured Book each month.

December 7th and 21st, 2008

January 4th and 18th

February 1st and 15th

September 6th and 20th

October 4th and 18th

November 1st and 15th

December 6th and 20th

Find out about more events and activities for kids.

Library Orientations

Orientations can be arranged by appointment for interested groups.

CBHL Member of the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries An international organization whose purpose is to initiate and improve communications among persons and institutions concerned with the development, maintenance and use of libraries of botanical and horticultural literature.