The Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF), situated in the northern Virginia Piedmont and Blue Ridge Mountains region, about a one-hour drive from Washington, D.C., is currently inviting applications to its Botanical Artist in Residence Programme 2027 to support botanical artists working to a high national and international standard who create beautiful and accurate depictions of plant species.
The award includes a $1,000 individual grant, a 2-4-week residency, and an offer to purchase one final work on paper for $1,000 for inclusion in the OSGF Florilegium. Transportation will be arranged from Dulles International Airport to the estate in Upperville, Virginia, and artists who complete the programme will be eligible to apply for the annual Alumni Residency.
Applications are welcomed from artists in any country across the world. The deadline for applications is Sunday 31st May 2026.
The programme focuses on:
o Botanical art created through direct observation of plant specimens.
o The development of scientifically accurate illustrations.
o Engagement with historical botanical art through a rare book library.
o Independent artistic practice within a sustainably managed landscape, and
o Interdisciplinary interaction among resident artists.
Residents will participate in introductory tours during their first week alongside other botanical artists and interdisciplinary residents, which will include guided visits to the formal garden, the wider landscape, and the library. Following this orientation, artists may work independently on their projects, explore the 700-acre property, and schedule library visits during office hours from Monday to Friday. They will also be expected to attend approximately three shared meals with interdisciplinary residents during their stay, creating opportunities for conversation and exchange about ongoing work.
Accommodation is provided in well-appointed shared homes where residents will have private bedrooms and bathrooms while sharing common living and kitchen spaces with a small number of other artists. Dedicated studio space will be available either within the accommodation or nearby, and bicycles will be provided to assist movement across the rural estate, with the option for residents to bring or rent a car if desired.
Botanical artists may request permission to use plant material from the formal garden or other areas of the property, with assistance from staff in removing or transporting specimens when approved. In addition, connections with local organizations will be facilitated so that artists may select and procure plant specimens for their final work, and artists are encouraged to communicate their interests in advance to enable suitable arrangements.
Eligibility is open to botanical artists with an established track record and a well-developed body of work who create scientifically accurate depictions from direct observation.
Accepted media include watercolour, pencil, pen and ink, coloured pencil, mixed media, oil, acrylic, gouache, egg tempera, and original prints, while three-dimensional work, reproductions, photography, and digitally generated artwork are not accepted.
Residency sessions are scheduled for Sunday 25th April to Saturday 16th May 2027, and Sunday 29th August to Sunday 19th September 2027, with mandatory arrival on the stated start dates to attend the introductory tours. Applications will be reviewed through a preliminary vetting and final selection process conducted by OSGF staff in collaboration with representatives of the American Society of Botanical Artists.
For more information, please visit the Oak Spring Garden Foundation website.
