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Botanical Arts
Rules & Guidelines

Division Classes

1. Registration Form must be received no later than Friday, April 17, 2026, and will be accepted in the order received.

2. Exhibitors are permitted one entry per class, they may enter more than one class if openings exist after April 24, 2026. Entries may be the collaboration of more than one exhibitor but no more than two. If forced to withdraw, the exhibitor must find a substitute and notify Division Chair Sarah Boynton.

3. The entry form (triplicate form in the packet) must be filled out and accompanied by each entry. You may write “See Sample Card” in the space for your list of plant materials. The sample card will suffice for a list of plant materials.

4. Please adhere to the general rules provided in this packet when creating your entry.

5. A 5 x 8 sample card (formally called a key card) with a small piece of all plant material used in the entry is required. The plant material must be correctly identified with the botanical and common names, and the location of plant material within the design must also be noted on the sample card. Plant material should be listed alphabetically by botanical name.

 

6. Statement of Intent (SOI): A statement of 25 words or less may be submitted to be staged with your design. All SOI must be emailed to the Class Consultant, Sarah Boynton, at sjbgarden68@gmail.com and CC to events@newportmansions.org no later than Saturday, May 2, 2026. The Committee will have a copy of your SOI ready on entry day.

7. Mail-in Deadline: Entries may be mailed to Sarah Boynton, 17 Camelot Drive, Hingham, MA 02043. Exhibitors must include a photo of the exhibit and how the exhibitor would like the entry to be positioned. Mail-in deliveries must be received by May 23, 2026.

8. The Committee will be responsible for the installation of the mail-in exhibits. Detailed photos of each entry must be sent with the entry. The exhibitor should indicate how they would like the exhibit positioned. If the exhibit arrives damaged, the exhibitor will be notified and have the option to have the entry returned for repair if time permits, or the exhibitor can give permission for the Committee to make the repair. It is STRONGLY suggested that a repair kit be included with the entry and that any shipping method include a tracking feature. If the exhibitor plans to decorate their niche (where applicable), they must come in person on entry day and enhance it themselves. While the Botanical Arts Division Committee and The Preservation Society of Newport County will afford the best possible protection to all exhibits, they distinctly disclaim all liability for loss or damage to the exhibits and personal property belonging to exhibitors.

9. Businesses, non-profit organizations and commercial products may not be promoted within a design. Logos and corporate images are not permitted. Catalogs, circulars and business cards may not be displayed. Exhibits are to be non-commercial in character.

10. Novice and New Exhibitors will be eligible for specific awards. Exhibits must be the work of one exhibitor to be eligible for these awards. A Novice is an exhibitor who has never won a blue ribbon in The Newport Flower Show in the Botanical Arts Division. A New Exhibitor is a person or group entering The Newport Flower Show for the first time in the Botanical Arts Division. See the Awards List for the definition and eligibility of awards.

11. Hand delivery. Exhibitors may deliver their entry in person to Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Ave., Newport, R.I., on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, between 10 am and 1 pm. Passing will conclude promptly at 2 pm.m. Judging will begin at 3 pm.

12. All exhibitors and helpers must wear appropriate identification badges during setup and dismantling. Your Show Badge and one helper badge (if requested) are included in this packet.

13. Parking Access – Botanical Arts participants will have access to the Rosecliff parking lot for setup and breakdown but are not permitted to park in the lot overnight. Due to limited parking facilities on site at Rosecliff, no entrant can be permitted to park at Rosecliff outside of these posted hours

14. All exhibits must be kept in Show condition. Broken or shattered materials will be removed by the Committee.

15. Removal of Exhibits: Exhibitors are responsible for completely removing their exhibits on Sunday, June 21, 2026, beginning at 4:30 pm. Other prior arrangements can be made with your Class Consultant. If an exhibit is to be returned, the exhibitor must provide a self-addressed return label, return postage and packing material/container.

Judging CriteriaPoints
Design35
Craftsmanship25
Creativity20
Interpretation of Theme10
Distinction10
Total100

General Rules for Botanical Arts

Please familiarize yourself with the General Rules for Botanical Arts before submitting your registration.

1. All plant material must be dried. This includes flowers, foliage, seeds, pods, nuts (in or out of shells), vegetables, twigs, vines, reeds, etc. While not part of the plant kingdom, algae, including seaweed and kelp, and dried fungi, including mushrooms and lichen, are permitted.

2. Only plant material and/or fungi, mechanics, and surface treatments (e.g., paint, nail polish, varnish, wax, etc.) are permitted. Artificial, endangered, or locally invasive plant material may not be used. Link for list of Rhode Island invasive plants: https://riwps.org/invasives-plants/

3. Plant material processed only by the exhibitor is allowed.

4. Use of commercially processed or manufactured materials is prohibited; this includes milled wood, balsa wood, toothpicks, hemp cord, etc. Exhibitors should use natural plant material (existing or caused by nature, not made or caused by mankind). Exceptions to this rule are that exhibitors are allowed to use the following items:

  • Natural raffia
  • Rattan
  • Skeletonized leaves
  • Rice
  • Organic thread (cotton or hemp) as a visible mechanic only to string or knot plant material that resembles pearls or gemstones

5. Non-plant material (e.g., cardboard, metal, twine, string cording, etc.) may be used only for construction and must not be visible unless used to string or knot items that resemble pearls or gemstones in jewelry classes. If string is used for this purpose, it must be made from organic materials such as cotton or hemp.

6. Gemstones should not be made from resin, epoxy or nail polish. Gemstones must be made from plant material; the plant material may be painted to resemble a gem.

7. A light coating of resin, epoxy, nail polish, varnish, etc., is allowed. Glitter may be used if it is suspended in nail polish unless the show schedule prohibits it. Thick or heavy layers of manufactured resin, epoxy, lacquer and nail polish are not permitted.

8. Decorative painting depicting scenes, figures, borders, etc., are discouraged; designs should be created with plant material and not simply decoratively painted. In other words, create a flower from assembled pieces of plant material; an image of a flower on a leaf artistically painted on another piece of plant material is not suggested. Marbleizing effects on materials to resemble stone, such as emulating turquoise, are permitted.

9. Plant material may be carved, cut, incised or shaped to enhance artistic effect only by the exhibitor. Assemblage with other plant material is expected. Manufactured figural forms as base material are not permitted. In other words, exhibitors are not to buy something to use as a base, such as a statue of an animal; however, an animal shape may be created by the exhibitor.

10. Unless noted otherwise, all exhibits must appear functional (resemble wearable jewelry, shoes, etc.). Necklaces and bracelets need a clasp, but the clasp does not need to be workable; for a brooch class, a pin on the back is not necessary as it may interfere with the staging.

11. In a Botanical Embellishment class, complete coverage of the object is not required unless stated in the schedule. Embellished objects should remain somewhat recognizable and not be completely obscured.

12. Botanical Couture entries must be created from all dried plant material or fungi or, if embellished, completely covered.

13. If an exhibit has won first place or a Special Award in a flower show (GCA, NGC or other), it may not be entered into competition again. An exhibit that has been previously entered and did not place first or win a Special Award may be entered again if the piece is significantly altered.

Botanical Arts & Floral Design Divisions Glossary

Angular Design (FD)

A creative design which emphasizes strong angles that may be acute obtuse, reflex, right angles, or a combination of angles.

Arrangement or Floral Design

Plant material and other components organized according to the Principles and Elements of Design to create a unified whole.

Contemporary Design (FD)

Floral design not following traditional styles, using imagination and creativity to devise new approaches to the selection and organization of plant material and other components according to principles and elements of design.

Embellishment (BA)

A man-made object enhanced with dried plant material. Plant materials may be treated.

Forms (BA)

A design of any natural form (e.g., animal, bird’s nest, flower) created from all dried plant materials. No mechanics may be visible.

Jewelry (BA)

A design created entirely of dried plant material and made to resemble wearable jewelry in both size and function. No mechanics or structural base may be visible.

Key Card (BA)

A numbered list of botanical and common names accompanying an exhibit. Corresponding numbers are placed with each individual sample of untreated plant material. Card to be supplied in Botanical Arts Exhibitor’s package.

Layering Technique (FD)

The use of grouped materials overlapped to create a textured design.

Mass Design (Modern) (FD)

Groupings of limited varieties of plant material with emphasis on bold design, blocks of color, contrasting forms, and textures.

Mass Design (Traditional) (FD)

Profusion of various forms and sizes of flowers arranged in an oval, triangular or fan-shaped design, a closed silhouette with more solids than voids.

Miniature Design (FD)

A diminutive design which does not exceed five inches in any direction. Scale and proportion are of the utmost importance.

New Exhibitor (BA & FD)

A person or group who is entering The Newport Flower Show for the first time in their respective division. Exhibitor(s) must self-identify for this award.

Novice (BA & FD)

An exhibitor/s who has never won a blue ribbon in their respective division at The Newport Flower Show. Exhibitor(s) must self-identify for this award. To be eligible for Novice Awards, the exhibitor must exhibit alone.

Small Design (FD)

A small arrangement which does not exceed eight inches in any direction. Scale and proportion are of the utmost importance.

Statement of Intent (BA & FD)

A brief written paragraph (no more than 25 words) offering an explanation of the exhibitor’s creation. Blank cards to be supplied in Exhibitor’s package.

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