How to become an Associate Member
How to exhibit
To become an Associate you must have submitted five works and had ALL five works accepted for two consecutive years: that is 10 out of 10 paintings accepted in total over two successive years. The Selection Committee sits once a year at the Annual Open Exhibition and Associate Membership is automatic for those applicants who fit the criteria above.
Full Membership of the Society is ONLY by election and is not automatic. The Selection Committee Council elects new Members from the Associate Members and this is solely at the discretion of the Selection Committee. Election to full Membership entitles the use of SBA after a member's name, signifying a guarantee of excellence in the botanical painting world. Whilst the process may appear difficult, it is not impossible and if unsuccessful Associate Members apply again in successive years.
If you are submitting work to the Annual Open Exhibition from outside of the UK, we have a member who is willing to receive your work unframed. Jackie Gethin SBA will mount and wrap the work in cellophane to present for the judging. If the work is then accepted, Jackie is prepared to frame and deliver it to the gallery on hanging day. At the close of the exhibition, if work has not been sold, it will be returned unframed and unmounted and she will invoice you for all charges. You may contact her by email at
Our next receiving day will be 15th February 2010.
The exhibition will be held at Central Hall Westminster in London,
From: Friday 16 to Sunday 25 April 2010.
The title for this exhibition is: 'Jubilee Exhibition'
To receive the Exhibition schedule please send a stamped, addressed envelope to the Executive Secretary. Overseas applicants need only request a schedule as UK postage may vary for each country. You can ask for an entry schedule now but it will not be despatched until 4 January 2010.
There are costs associated with exhibiting. There is a submission fee of £5 per work and a hanging fee commencing at £14.50 per work if the work is chosen for exhibition. All work must be for sale and The Society will charge a commission of 39 percent of the selling price if the work is sold.
The cost of Associate Membership is £120.00 per annum which entitles you to use the initials AssocSBA after your name. There are also other benefits for Associates. The submission of five works to the annual exhibition will still be subject to selection but will not be subject to a charge for hanging. Commission on sales as a result of the exhibition will also be set at a lower rate for Associate Members and Full Members and both categories of membership have the opportunity to take part in projects and exhibitions which are exclusive to the Society’s Membership.
Non Members
Do note that the Annual Open Exhibition is as it states, open to non members. The Executive Secretary can be approached at the earliest opportunity for an exhibition information sheet and an entry schedule. Your request will be held until 4 January when all schedules will be sent out. You may submit up to five works. As the title of the 2010 exhibition is 'Silver Jubilee Exhibition' - this gives you plenty of scope for subjects and time to prepare the work. We look forward to hearing from you.
Pamela Henderson, Executive Secretary SBA,
1 Knapp Cottages, Wyke, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4NQ
Tel: 01747 825718
Email: