The Plants of the James River Project is celebrating Virginia’s natural beauty with a selection of original artwork inspired by Newton Ancarrow. A Richmond boatbuilder and amateur botanist, Ancarrow photographed and cataloged over 400 species of the colorful wildflowers found along the banks of the James River from 1968-1971. Based on his research, botanical illustrators from Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and the District of Columbia have submitted works for a juried show titled "Ancarrow's List: Native Plants at the River's Edge.” These botanical illustrations will be displayed at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden from October 1 - 31, with an opening reception and lecture on October 9 from 5:00- 7:00 p.m. in the Lora M. Robins Library and is FREE. During regular Garden hours, the exhibition is included with Garden Admission.
The exhibition will also be shown at James Branch Cabell Library at VCU, from November 3- December 22, with a reception and presentation on November 10 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Both the exhibition and opening reception are free and open to the public.
Click here for more information on both exhibitions.
Explore the life and works of Newton Ancarrow:
- Fast Boats and Flowers (PDF)
- Digital archive of Ancarrow's Wildflower photographs here.
- Want to know more him as a boatbuilder? Click here.
- Follow the Plants of the James River Project on Facebook.
