‘Jeepers Creepers' by the Botanic Art Interest Group (B.A.I.G), Mackay

The ‘Jeepers Creepers’ botanical art exhibition focuses on colourful, curious and captivating flora which are commonly known as vines, scramblers, climbers, creepers or lianas.

All are plants with long flexible climbing stems that have specialised structures or climbing strategies to support their growth, usually upwards.

Some wrap, some adhere and some curl by way of - twining stems, petioles or leaves, clinging stem roots, tendrils or hooks and thorns.

Of particular interest are tendrils - skinny, wiry structures along a plant’s stem, that actually reach around in the air until they come in contact with something they can ‘grab’.

The tendrils then curl, forming coils that allows the plant to adjust the degree of tension or pull on the support.

Botanical art combines detail, accuracy and artistry, with many hours needed for each graphite drawing, pastel drawing, watercolour or acrylic painting.

Showcases display how the artists take live specimens and create a “living” piece of botanical art via their sketch books, photos and art materials.

The Botanica 2019 exhibition will be available for viewing from Wednesday, October 2 - Sunday, October 27 at the Lagoons Gallery within the Botanic Gardens café.

Opening hours are Wednesday to Friday, 9am – 3pm and weekends, 8am – 4pm. The café is open Wednesday to Friday, 9am to 3pm and weekends, 8am to 4pm.

For more information about this exhibition, please contact the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens on phone (07) 4952 7300 or email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au

Meet the artists

Meet the artists at the exhibition opening:  Wednesday, October 2, from 10am – 1pm.

Please RSVP for catering by Friday, September 27. Phone/text Maya on 0436 331 009 or email maya.in.nature@gmail.com

Contact: Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

Phone: (07) 4952 7300

Email: botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au