There's a call for artists to bring an added dynamic to the next Bay of Plenty Garden and Art Festival.

The festival team have been checking out prospective gardens, and they're also calling for a show of interest from artists from the Western Bay and beyond.

Director Marc Anderson says the festival provides an ideal opportunity for artists to exhibit, as a high number of art stops will be part of the festival journey. Festival goers will get to see artists exhibiting in outdoor green galleries, and in some cases, in their private studios.

Tauranga's Emma Prill, whose original art and high quality prints have been shown locally and internationally, exhibited a collection of her limited edition giclée prints at the last festival.

'I felt my flower garden works have an obvious theme connection to the festival. And I enjoyed being part of a festival that celebrates the beauty of nature and gardens.”

She says her work, using acrylic on canvas, references the long and ever-changing relationship with the natural world, flowers and our gardens.

Emma says the festival led to sales. 'It was a really good way of promoting my work and exhibiting in a different context,” she says.

The 2018 festival will be held from November 15-18.

Anyone interested in being a festival artist should contact Marc on: (07) 570 2525 or email: info@gardenandartfestival.co.nz