Geelong School of Botanical Art

Botanical Art classes are among the most popular activities held by the Friends.  The classes are held at the GBG Meeting Room. Experienced teachers conduct small classes of students at levels varying from beginners to advanced. The teachers and a number of past students have received recognition at significant botanical art exhibitions both locally and internationally.

Classes are held on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.  Tuesday and Friday's classes are for students of all levels. Saturday classes are for advanced students.

The Timetable for classes are available here

Location: All classes are held in the Geelong Botanic Gardens' Meeting Room at the rear of the Geelong Botanic Gardens, or online.

Enrolment and Fees: An Enrolment Form must be lodged at the Friends' Office at least two weeks before the start of the Victorian school term. Term Fees must be paid in full before the start of the first class.  Please check term fees at the Friends' Office before making payment.

Absence of leave policy

Absence of leave form

For more information about our Geelong School of Botanical Art - Botanical Art brochure  

The Wagtails

All members of the Geelong School of Botanical Art are encouraged to be part of the Wagtails. This is an informal painting session where students can come and work on their projects without formal instruction.  Coming to Wagtails enables you to meet other students from the other classes; this fosters a sense of collegiality among the School students. It also provides you with the opportunity to discuss any problems you may be having with your art with other students and to gain feedback and encouragement from them. It is a mutually supportive group and all students are very welcome to attend; from the new students to the more advanced.

• Wagtails must be members of the Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens
• Wagtails is free of charge for current students, or,
• For members who have been enrolled in any of the previous four terms of classes, the fee for Wagtails is $25 per term
• Wagtails meet in the Art Room each Wednesday from 12.30 pm to approximately 4.00 pm. Occasionally, the commencement time may be delayed due to a Friends’ event in the Art Room 

February 2021

BOTANIC ART WORKSHOP : OCTOBER 2024 BOOKED OUT

Introduction to Botanical Art using Graphite and Coloured Pencil
With AMANDA AHMED
At the Geelong Botanic Gardens in the Meeting Room
10.00 am to 3.30 pm (30-minute lunch)
Weekend #1: Introduction to Drawing with Graphite – Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October
Weekend #2:  Introduction to Drawing with Coloured Pencil – Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October
This intensive 4-day workshop over two weekends is an introduction to botanical art learning the basics of drawing.The focus on both weekends will be drawing from observation to achieve realistic renderings of botanical subjects.  You can choose to do Weekend #1 or Weekend #2 or both, it is up to you. The workshop is designed so students interested in watercolour might like to attend Weekend #1 with a view to enrolling in Beginners’ Botanic Art with Craig Lidgerwood in Term 1 2025 OR
students interested in graphite and/or coloured pencil can attend Weekend #1 and/or Weekend #2 with a view to enrolling in Drawing I and II with Amanda Ahmed in Term 1 2025.
This workshop is suitable for beginners with little to no experience in botanical drawing and is presented in a friendly and supportive environment within the beautiful setting of the Geelong Botanic Gardens.
Contact the Friends’ Office asap to book your place, as these workshops fill up very quickly. 
4 Days: (4-day bookings take priority up to Thursday 12 September)
Members $340
Non-members $370
2 Days only: (2-day bookings open from Friday 13 September, waiting list available before 13 th )
Members $200
Non-members $230

MATERIALS LIST AND COURSE DESCRIPTION

Botanical Art:Trees