Donnett Vanek, Darlingtonia californica, Cobra Lily, © 2023, graphite on paper
BAGSC Quarterly Meeting, December 13, 2025 and graphite workshop with Donnett Vanek
This year, our December 13 quarterly meeting will be an in-person special event in the Palm Room at the Los Angeles Arboretum. We will begin at 9:30 am with breakfast snacks and time to say hello, followed by a quick business meeting that includes the election of three BAGSC Board members—President, Treasurer, and Membership Chair.
Then we will be treated to a wonderful two-hour graphite workshop by BAGSC Member Donnett Vanek; see workshop details below. Donnett is reprising the workshop she gave at this fall's ASBA Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota. If you couldn’t make it to the conference, this is your chance to learn from an expert. Donnett’s graphite work has won numerous awards, is included in the Hunt Institute, and is in many private collections. You can see her work on her website.
A delicious box lunch will be provided at noon, followed by an afternoon of activities. Lunch includes a choice of sandwich, pasta salad and dessert. Members with food sensitivities should plan to BYO. Bonus: the Arboretum’s Christmas market will be open that Saturday as well.
You must RSVP to participate. Entrance to the Arboretum is free that day for BAGSC members who are registered to attend our meeting.
Also, during this meeting you’ll hear information about:
BAGSC Elections;
Our special BAGSC projects with The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens;
Volunteer opportunities;
And more!
Bring your latest work and work-in-progress for an informal sharing session. We would love to see what you're working on!
Watch your emails for more details about our Quarterly Meeting!
Workshop:
Rendering a White Magnolia in Graphite
Contemporary botanical artist Donnett Vanek is passionate about drawing. Elevate your drawing skills as Donnett demonstrates graphite techniques in a step-by-step workshop on how to render a white magnolia blossom. In this workshop, participants will strengthen their understanding of composition and fundamental drawing skills.
Darlingtonia californica, Cobra Lily, graphite on paper, Donnett Vanek,
© 2023.
Information at a Glance
DATE:
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
301 North Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
Click here for Arboretum visiting information
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Starts 9:30 am Pacific Time (US): BAGSC business meeting begins, followed by Donnett Vanek's presentation
PARTICIPANTS:
All BAGSC members and guests (with BAGSC member) are welcome!
FEES:
FREE (with RSVP only)
BAGSC Members and their guests will enjoy free admittance to the LA Arboretum for the day, lunch and workshop.
QUESTIONS? PROBLEMS WITH REGISTRATION OR CONNECTING VIA ZOOM?
Contact BAGSC Media Committee by clicking here.
About the Instructor
Donnett Vanek
Donnett Vanek is a contemporary botanical artist working in the traditional botanical art techniques of drybrush watercolor, graphite, and silverpoint. The artist’s studio is in Los Padres National Forest, near Los Angeles, California. Donnett is an exhibiting artist, honored to have work included in the American Society of Botanical Artists 28th Annual International Exhibition, American Society of Botanical Artists 27th Annual International Exhibition, the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation’s 17 International Exhibition of Botanical Art & Illustration, The New York Botanical Garden’s Fifth Triennial; Curious Allies: Mutualism in Fungi, Parasites, and Carnivores, the American Society of Botanical Artists 26th Annual International Exhibition, and a solo show; Wild Flowers and Pollinators, at Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants. Donnett is honored to have her graphite drawing, Elegant Clarkia; Clarkia unguiculata, in the permanent collection of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation. See more of her work by visiting her website here.
Materials List:
Download a materials list for the workshop by clicking here.
Not yet a member? Join BAGSC and join in the fun!
To join, go to the ASBA website by clicking here.
Go through the process to join ASBA, and be sure to join our chapter, the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California (BAGSC) where indicated in the ASBA process.
Already an ASBA member, but need to join BAGSC? No worries! Log into the ASBA website and "add a chapter" to your membership.
Questions about BAGSC membership? Contact our BAGSC Membership Chair at membership@bagsc.org
Questions about logging into the BAGSC website? Contact media@bagsc.org