Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists: RARE II

Mission Statement

The Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists is an open and diverse group of artists, collectors and admirers who share a love for the practice and perpetuation of botanical art and illustration with a fond focus on plants in the Rocky Mountain Region.

We encourage and participate in educational outreach, juried and non-juried exhibits, lectures, workshops and regular chapter meetings. The RMSBA is proud to be the very first chapter affiliation of the international organization, the American Society of Botanical Artists.

Monday, May 25, 2015

RARE II

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, and on the Walls!

RARE II opened May 16 in Durango at Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College. The heavens wept with joy. The student staff provided refreshments, sweet and savory. Dignitaries spoke and visitors attended. Artists and groupies admired their works.

Jo Childers starts the tour

Carefully chosen enlargements of paintings introduced the exhibit. The gallery space is open and beautiful, and we were thrilled to be accompanied by lovely objects from the Basketry and Beadwork collections. What a wonderful hanging!

Helen Smithwick and visitors

Gallery context

Posters also supported the exhibit of 40 botanical paintings: seven story boards tell of artists’ experiences and journeys (thanks to Patti Hearn) and two composite maps encourage visitors to consider the challenges posed by environment and human pressure (thanks to Martha Narey).

An after-party hosted by RARE Queen Sharon Garrett brought out the very best in everyone, including a rare appearance by the ReJeCTs [Retired Jeffco Classroom Teachers], who wrote a song in our honor, which Dorothy DePaulo proclaimed “the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for us.”

You can sing along, to the tune of “The Streets of Laredo” (some of you may recall the Smothers Brothers’ rendition…)

As I walked out on the streets of Durango

I saw some young artists with works of their own:

Botanical pieces, meticulous detail.

They worked long, hard hours, left Partners alone.

They dug up rare plants, and they copied from photos,

Right under Vanessa(the President)’s nose.

Half wanted to quit and the others said “F**k it!

We’re not getting paid, and this earthy s**t blows!”

Here’s to the artists: They suffered, they conquered.

Hooray for the art show! Now, let’s have a toast!

The ReJeCTs gave us a grand send-up (lyrics & vocals by Jo Childers & Andrea Waner, supporting vocals by Pam McClelland & Lynn Horseman); Vanessa & Jan nearly croaked laughing, while Dorothy & Sharon were moved to tears. I expect at least one of them will have posted an iVideo to YouTube by now… maybe we’ll post one here.)