DATES
April 1 – April 19, 2026
OPENING RECEPTION: Wednesday, April 15, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Thursday, March 19 11:59 PM
VENUE
Selected works will be exhibited in person at the H.P. Rawlings Conservatory, 3100 Swann Drive, Baltimore, MD 21217, in Druid Park. Built in 1888, the Rawlings Conservatory is the second oldest steel and glass public conservatory still intact in the United States. It consists of a Mediterranean House, a Tropical Rainforest House, a Desert House, a Palm House, an Orchid Room, outdoor gardens, and a gift shop. Baltimore City employs a full-time orchid specialist whose job is to care for the orchids and the carnivorous pitcher plants.
ELIGIBILITY
Artists and photographers of any age are eligible to enter. Eligible submissions include original two-and three-dimensional artwork in all media, including but not limited to painting, drawing, photography, digital media, sculpture, ceramics, fiber, wood, and mixed media.
SUBJECT
Florals, Botanicals, Spring-Blooming Flowers, Plants, Gardens, Parks, Cultivated and Wild Landscapes. Artists are encouraged to interpret these themes broadly. Works that celebrate the beauty of the Conservatory and reflect the spirit of the parks community are especially welcome. We also warmly invite submissions that honor Mango, our beloved late Conservatory cat (maybe a mix of orange tabby and Siamese), whose presence was woven into the daily life of the space. Preference will be given to works that represent or are inspired by the Conservatory. Some examples of plants in the Conservatory are banana “trees”, a coffee tree, a plumeria tree, jasmine shrub and vine, Ponderosa lemon, oranges, mango tree, kumquats, Nepenthes pitcher plants, date palms, dwarf coconut palm, Christmas palm, ferns, triangle palm, bird-of-paradise, giant bird-of paradise, gingers, metallic palm, crotons, bromeliads, Queen Emma, macademia, passionvine, Dutchman’s pipe, monstera, chenille plant, bottlebrush tree, goldfish plant, anthuriums, strawberry guava, pineapple, papyrus, scented geraniums, citronella, grapevine, strawberry arbutus tree, Ponderosa lemon, Etrog, bougainvillea, olive trees, shoestring acacia, tea tree, rosemary, oregano, sago palm, staghorn fern, tree fern, foxtail fern, gardenia, and a multitude of cacti (including carrion flower, saguaro, jades, aloes, agaves, barrel cacti, euphorbias, Indian fig, dragonfruit, etc.).
MEDIA ACCEPTED:
Two- and three-dimensional artwork in all media, including but not limited to painting, drawing, photography, digital media, sculpture, ceramics, fiber, wood, and mixed media. All work must be ready for professional display at time of delivery. Works on paper must be matted and framed under glass or plexiglass with a hanging wire attached, using D-rings. Works on canvas may be exhibited unframed if the edges are painted/finished and ready to install with secure hanging hardware. Three-dimensional works must be stable and suitable for pedestal, floor, or suspended display. A limited number of hoists are available for suspended works.
FEE
There is no entry fee and no limit on the number of works submitted. Artwork does not have to be for sale, but, if artwork is sold during the show, the Conservatory receives a 30% commission on each piece, and the artwork must remain on display through the end of the exhibition.