The members-only reception was sold out Thursday during the opening of the Florilegium art show at the National Tropical Botanical Garden South Shore Visitor Center.
“It was pretty busy,” said Chaunte Mancia of the NTBG center. “We also had the Aloha Market, and shoppers from that event also took in viewing of the Florilegium exhibit.”
The exhibit features the original works of the Florilegium group resulting from this year’s gathering at the NTBG.
Florilegium is provided by the group’s leader, Wendy Hollender, of Draw Botanical in New York, who has become a friend and partner with the NTBG in this event that returned with the loosening of COVID-19 rules. The group is made up of botanical illustrators, both Kaua‘i residents as well as the mainland, Canada and other countries.
“We have two participating artists from Japan, but said they couldn’t make the event in person,” Mancia said. “But their work is part of this year’s collection. Look at the breadfruit done by Asuka Hishiki. The more monochrome section of the print is all done with pencil.”
Proceeds from the sale of the Florilegium collection go to support NTBG science and conservation programs.
The Hishiki print as well as works from several other participating artists are also available as reproductions on a variety of items ranging from gift cards, apparel and smartphone cases.
“We have several of this year’s collection as gift cards here at the gift shop,” Mancia said. “The full collection of items can be found by visiting the NTBG website at www.ntbg.org and following the ‘events’ tab to the Florilegium link. Clicking the tab opens up the entire collection, and can be purchased online.”
Closed Sunday and Monday, the Florilegium exhibit is available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, March 3.
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
