SUNDAY 24th MAY 2020
1pm - 5pm.
The Salisbury Florilegium Society will be holding an exhibition of paintings. This will be part of the Friends of the Cathedral's Open Gardens Trail. The work will be a diverse collection of paintings by local artists celebrating gardens and what grows in them.
There will also be a chance to purchase the Florilegium's new book 'Secret Gardens of the Close' with over 120 paintings of plants and flowers from the gardens in the Close.
The result of four years of patient work through the seasons, this book of plant portraits documents many of the plants and trees that grow in the private gardens and public spaces of Salisbury Cathedral Close.
The members of Salisbury Florilegium Society have come to botanical painting with varying degrees of experience, but all have been inspired to take up its challenges by tutor Sally Pond. Sally is a graduate of the English Gardening School at Chelsea Physic Garden and has exhibited widely.
Other local artists were invited to paint vignettes of the gardens so that the book also provides some glimpses behind the high garden walls into the Secret Gardens of the Close. The resulting
125 illustrations have charm and variety.
With a foreword by The Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, Bishop
of Salisbury, this is a highly individual record of the ora of the Cathedral Close, captured at the moment and held for all time.
‘The Salisbury Florilegium Society has produced a book for the love of the Cathedral and its Close, for the beauty of the earth and the joy of our gardens ... At a time of rising concern about global warming, the destruction of species and our lack of care of God’s creation, a book that celebrates the love of God and the beauty of creation is doubly welcome.’
— The Right Reverand Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury
‘The Friends of Salisbury Cathedral are delighted to be the fortunate beneficiary of sales of this fabulous book and we owe our sincere thanks to the members of the Salisbury Florilegium Society, whose wonderful artwork fills its pages.’
— Duncan Glass, Chairman, Friends of Salisbury Cathedral
‘Botanical art has become increasingly popular over recent
years, melding as it does scientific plant depiction with aesthetic charm. This delightful book embraces the work of experienced artists and students of botanical art alike, all seeking to celebrate the beauty and detail of the plants found in the gardens around Salisbury Cathedral.’
— Julia Trickey, Botanical Artist
