The art exhibition and sale, to open the garden's 2011 season, will take place from Good Friday [April 22] to Easter Monday [April 25] from 10 am to 4.30 pm. There will be a wide range of framed and unframed original artwork including paintings, drawings, prints and cards.
Three of the 33 artists taking part in the four-day exhibition are Susan Bracher, Annie Morris and Di Western.
Susan Bracher is a lifelong painter and lover of the countryside, wild life and gardens and enjoys nothing more than to be immersed in trees, grasses and flowers. Often painting out of doors, using gouache, she enjoys capturing the ever-changing freshness of nature.
Annie Morris has a degree in Botany from the University and is a full-time botanical artist. She is a member of the Society of Botanical Artists and the Society of Floral Painters and exhibits with both societies annually. The Royal Horticultural Society has awarded her three silver-gilt medals for her illustrations. Annie teaches regularly at the Botanic Garden and is leading a small group painting the rare and endangered plants of the Avon Gorge and South West England.
Di Western is a regular contributor and mainly concentrates on illustrative botanical paintings and atmospheric landscapes. Last summer she painted the South African Agapanthas in full bloom on the garden's western terrace using quick drying acrylic paints. Di is currently chair of Clifton Arts Club.
Nick Wray, Curator of the Botanic Garden, said: "There is going to be another set of wonderful original paintings that have not been exhibited previously at the garden. Among the 33 artists, eight will be exhibiting here for the first time.
"In the garden visitors will be able to see many plants flowering earlier than normal, thanks to the recent warm conditions. We look forward to welcoming everyone over this late Easter weekend."
The Botanic Garden has a strong evolutionary theme and cultivates over 4,500 plant species forming four core collections that illustrate plant evolution, plants from Mediterranean climates, useful plants and rare and threatened native plants to the Bristol area.
Star attractions include an amazing dell demonstrating the evolution of land plants including the dinosaurs' favourite plants: ginkgos, cycads, tree ferns, monkey puzzles and Wolly, the Wollemi Pine. Other delights include the Chinese and Western herb gardens and an inspiring display of plants illustrating floral diversity.
The Easter Art Exhibition and Sale at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden will be open from 10 am to 4.30 pm on Good Friday [22 April] until Easter Monday [25 April]. Light refreshments will be available.
Entry to the Botanic Garden and exhibition is £3.50 adults; free to University staff and retired staff, Friends of the Botanic Garden, students and children under 16.