Bee Inspired: Art for Conservation Competition

August 8–21, 2026

Horticulture Gardens of the Pacific (HCP)

Victoria, BC

The Native Bee Society of BC, in partnership with the Horticulture Center of the Pacific, is proud to present Bee Inspired – Art for Conservation a province-wide art competition and outdoor exhibition celebrating the beauty and importance of British Columbia’s native bees.

Featuring artwork from across BC, this exhibition invites visitors to experience the connection between creativity, ecology, and conservation.

Opening Weekend at HCP

The exhibition launches during the Horticulture Center of the Pacific’s annual Arts & Music Festival on August 8–9.

This vibrant weekend draws many visitors to the gardens through live music, arts experiences, and seasonal programming.

Bee Inspired – Art for Conservation will be part of this lively opening weekend offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore bee-inspired artwork alongside HCP’s celebration of creativity and community.

Why This Matters

Native bees play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting food systems yet many species face habitat loss and environmental pressures.

This exhibition brings together art, ecology and conservation to inspire appreciation and action for BC’s native pollinators.

What to Expect

From August 8–21, selected artworks will be displayed throughout the gardens at HCP.

Visitors can:

• View original bee-inspired artwork

• Learn about native pollinators

• Support conservation through public voting

All voting donations directly support the Native Bee Society of BC’s education, research, and outreach programs.

Public Voting

Visitors may participate in a vote-by-donation system to support their favourite artwork.

Your contribution helps fund:

• Native bee habitat education

• Community outreach

• Conservation initiatives

  
  

Awards

Winning artworks will be recognized in the following categories:

• People’s Choice Award

• Best in Show (Adult)

• Best in Show (Youth)

• Indigenous Artist Recognition Award

Winners will be announced following the exhibition.

Artwork Sales

Some artworks may be available for purchase at the conclusion of the exhibition.

Interested buyers will connect directly with artists.

Get Involved

Artists

Artists from across British Columbia are invited to submit bee-inspired works that reflect native bees and their habitats.

Accepted mediums include:

• Sculpture

• Pottery

• Painting

• Photography

• Mixed Media

• Metal

• Glass

  
  

Visitors

Come explore how creativity can inspire conservation.

Whether you are an art lover, gardener, or nature enthusiast this exhibition offers a meaningful way to connect with the pollinators that sustain our ecosystems.

Presented By

Native Bee Society of British Columbia and Horticulture Gardens of the Pacific (HCP) | Together, we celebrate the connection between art, nature, and conservation.

How to Apply: Purchase a "ticket" below to receive an application form via e-mail to submit your artwork. Entry fees:

$35 for HCP and NBSBC Members $25 for First Nations applicants

Fee Structure

There will be a Jury which will choose 10 artists submissions to display their work at Opening day and from there the vote by donation system will raise funds for the NBSBC and people's choice will pick a winner! As always the NBSBC doesn't want financial barriers to limit participation in our events so please e-mail NBSBC@bcnativebees.org for a fee waiver for a free submission to this fundraiser. To ensure your art meets the criteria of our fundraising event please read the 'Artist Participation and Installation Guidelines' 

Viewable here Artist FAQ