Art in the Garden

Students explore the Botanic Gardens and experience art through the wonders of nature. 

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Stage

Stage 4

Subject

Visual arts

Duration

2 hours

Cost

Minimum charges apply. Discounts apply for full day programs!

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Inspiration from the Gardens

The Botanic Gardens’ stunning display of plants provides the perfect backdrop to experience art through nature.

Our skilled educators will lead the students on ajourney to explore the Garden and try some nature inspired art parctices. Our thriving landscapes give students the opportunity to form a connection to place and to experience the wonders of time spent in nature.

Through visual arts, close observation, mindfulness and art making, students explore ideas about their relationship to the natural world and learn about the benefits of connection to the natural environment.

Students will

  • Visit different parts of the gardens and be inspired by the amazing shapes and textures of nature.
  • Explore nature journaling, a practice that blends art, science, and mindfulness, using their visual art diaries.
  • Investigate the work of botanical illustrators and create a botanical illustration highlighting how accuracy is more important than aesthetics in this context.
  • Experience the benefits of connecting to nature, and create a sculptural ephemeral artwork.

Key content

  • Explore the intersections between art-making, science and nature.
  • Make art in diverse location in the Garden, such as desert and rainforest landscapes.
  • Develop a sense of wonder through sensory exploration and nature journaling in the Garden.

Links to New South Wales curriculum

Focus Syllabus Outcomes

Visual Arts

  • Use a range of strategies to explore different artmaking conventions and procedures to make artworks (4.1)  
  • Explore the function of and relationships between the artist – artwork – world – audience (4.2) 
  • Makes artworks that involve some understanding of the frames (4.3) 
  • Recognise and uses aspects of the world as a source of ideas, concepts and subject matter in the visual arts (4.4) 
  • Select different materials and techniques to make artworks (4.6)
Sydney

Rathborne Lodge, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

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Mount Annan

The Bowden Centre, Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan

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Mount Tomah

Visitor Centre, Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah

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plant close up

"Open your heart, listen, and see what wonders show themselves."

Jeannie Baker, Author and Artist