Art in Bloom

Sunday, May 1, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Organic Gardening: Global, Regional, Local, Individual

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Join David Pendergast of Agora Gardens on Sunday, May 1 from 3 – 4 in the Alfond Auditorium of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston as he discusses returning to healthy methods of growing food, globally and locally. Learn about why organic is the way to go, building community gardens, and what individual gardeners can do for the organic movement. This lecture is part of Art in Bloom and is free with admission to the museum.

Saturday, April 30 – Monday, May 2 – Art in Bloom

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Please join the Museum of Fine Arts Boston for the 40th annual spring festival of art and floral design, April 30 – May 2.

Ticketed Events (purchase online at www.mfa.org)

Hitomi Gilliam: Master Class
Saturday, April 30, 10:30 am–12:30 pm
Receive hands-on flower design instruction from a master of contemporary floral design.
MFA Members $225, nonmembers $270

Hitomi Gilliam: NeoFlora: A Fresh Look at the Art of Flowers
Saturday, April 30, 2–4 pm in Remis Auditorium
A floral demonstration and lecture by Hitomi Gilliam exploring the latest methods, mechanics, and techniques for designing with new and exciting varieties of flowers.
MFA Members $60, nonmembers $70

Hitomi Gilliam: Master Class
Sunday, May 1, 10:30 am–12:30 pm
Receive hands-on flower design instruction from a master of contemporary floral design.
MFA Members $225, nonmembers $270

Elegant Tea
Saturday, April 30, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm
Sunday, May 1, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm
Monday, May 2, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm
Reservations required.
Adults: Members $35, nonmembers $40
Children 12 and under $10
(Museum admission required and not included in ticket price.)
Parties will be combined at tables with other guests as needed.

Friday, June 19 – Sunday, June 21, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Ogunquit Museum 5th Annual Art in Bloom

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Join the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, 543 Shore Road in Ogunquit, Maine, on Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21, from 10 – 5, for the 5th Annual Art in Bloom, produced and presented by the talented arrangers of the Piscataqua Garden Club, a member of the Garden Club of America.  One of the Garden Club of the Back Bay’s members, Louesa Gillespie, is also a member of Piscataqua, and highly recommends this three day celebration of fine art and interpretive floral arrangements inspired by works of art from the Museum’s exhibitions.  On Saturday, June 20, from 11 – 3, Lars Turin Clayworks of York, Maine will be in the Shop at OMAA.  Turin’s works in clay are created using a number of different techniques and processes, and evoke patterns found in nature.  Sponsored in part by Maine, the magazine, Kennebunk Savings, and Art Collector Maine.

Monday, April 27, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm – Christian Tortu: East Meets West

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As part of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston Art in Bloom celebration, renowned floral designer Christian Tortu will appear at the Harry and Mildred Remis Auditorium on Monday, April 27, from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm.  He will present a floral demonstration and illustrated lecture.  His arrangements combine his love of nature with an East Meets West aesthetic.  MFA members $60, nonmembers $65.  Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.mfa.org/programs/special-event/christian-tortu-east-meets-west.

From the Archives: Flower Arranging

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The Garden Club of the Back Bay is not known as an “arranging” garden club,  although we have always boasted many talented floral designers among our members.  Our primary Club emphasis is tree care, and flower shows are something of a side line activity.  Delving into our Archives, however, we find members have a long history of providing arrangements to local events.

The Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay gave a supper party for Boston’s City Counselors at the home of Lawrence Perera on Marlborough Street in 1968, and the Garden Club filled the home with bouquets.  During a subsequent Neighborhood Association house tour, Garden Club members decorated the home of host Kitty Winter for the tea associated with the tour.  Mrs. Melvin Johnson created a “particularly interesting flower arrangement” for the Women’s Educational and Industrial Union, formerly located on Boylston Street.  Our presence at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston at Art in Bloom also dates to the event’s inception, and members participate in the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts competitions at the New England Spring Flower Show.

This year, guests at our Twilight Garden Party on Thursday, June 4 at The Chilton Club will enjoy more bouquets created for the event by The Garden Club of the Back Bay.  We hope to see you then.

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Friday, April 24 – Monday, April 27 – Bubbles and Blossoms, and Art in Bloom

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For the 39th year, garden clubs and professional designers from across New England will create artistic floral arrangements at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), for Art in Bloom.

Arrangements will be inspired by artwork found throughout the Museum, including the re-imagined Greek galleries and newly installed Arts of the Pacific Gallery, as well as the new Hokusai exhibition.

Special events include an illustrated lecture and Japanese Ikebana floral demonstrations, as well as flower arranging master classes presented by Christian Tortu, France’s most renowned floral designer.

For a preview of the arrangements, a Bubbles and Blossoms event on Friday, April 24 (6 pm-9:30 pm, $30 members, $50 non-members), celebrates spring with a festive evening of bubbly and light bites.

Sunday, April 25, is Family Day, offering a variety of family-friendly events, including live entertainment and various art-making activities.

Daily tours, elegant tea and flower-designing demonstrations will be held throughout the weekend.

Tickets for all Art in Bloom events go on sale February 26 at 10 am on mfa.org. Follow the MFA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for news and updates about Art in Bloom.

Thursday, November 13, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Seasonal Floral Arrangements: A Demonstration

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Spend Thursday evening, November 13, from 7 – 8:30 pm, and learn the basics of floral arrangements to decorate your home. Learn to use what you have, how to buy sensibly and how to get the greatest impact for your effort! Watch as Marisa McCoy demonstrates how to make traditional and modern designs appropriate for the fall season. Learn the mechanics of arrangements, rules that help, and myths that hinder. Find your confidence in arranging to make your own autumn arrangements, just in time for a Thanksgiving centerpiece.

Marisa McCoy is a nationally accredited Master Flower Show Judge, a Senior Associate at the Museum of Fine Arts, and frequent exhibitor in Art in Bloom and the New England Spring Flower Show. Marisa enthusiastically shares her knowledge at Mass Hort’s Floral Design Course and at other botanical centers. This Massachusetts Horticultural Society evening will be held in the Parkman Room in the Education Building at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley. $10 for Mass Hort members, $15 for nonmembers. Register at www.masshort.org/Thursday-Night-at-the-Hort/

Friday, September 19 – Sunday, September 21 – Plymouth Art in Bloom

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The Plymouth Garden Club, the Aptucxet Garden Club, the Evening Garden Club of Plymouth, and other area participants will hold their annual Art in Bloom event at The Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North Street, Plymouth, on Friday, September 19 (10 – 8, reception 6 – 8,) Saturday September 20 (10 – 8,) and Sunday, September 21 (10 – 4.) Admission is free, open to the public.  For more information contact Judy Brown at 508-888-3638.

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2014 Garden Club of the Back Bay Art in Bloom Entry

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The Garden Club of the Back Bay thanks arranger Donna Morrissey and her assistant Cathy Wallace for their splendid arrangement interpreting Jean Honore Fragonard’s Aurora Triumphing over Night, about 1755-56. Oil on canvas. The painting is a recent Museum purchase with funds by contribution and by exchange from a Gift of Laurence K. and Lorna J. Marshall.

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Friday, April 25 – Monday, April 28 – Art in Bloom

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As part of the MFA’s 2014 Season of Color, join them for this exuberant spring festival of art and floral design! Once again, garden clubs and professional designers from across New England will create floral arrangements inspired by the MFA’s works of art. Art in Bloom is open during regular Museum hours (10 am–4:45 pm) and is free with Museum admission; no reservations are required to see the floral arrangements and participate in most of the programs listed below. Events with prices require tickets.

This year’s featured speaker is Emily Thompson.  Born in Vermont, she came from the north woods with her artist’s eye, a love of nature, and an unfettered imagination to become one of the nation’s most sought-after creators of organically beautiful, yet classically composed, floral designs.  Thompson, a sculptor, is one of New York’s premier floral artists, and received significant acclaim for her exquisite 2011 holiday decoration of the White House.

‘Tinis and Tulips Preview Party
Shapiro Family Courtyard
Friday, April 25, 7–9:30 pm
Swing into spring at the MFA’s inaugural Season of Color preview party and enjoy a festive evening of colorful cocktails, light bites, music, and a scavenger hunt. Open to visitors 21+. Valid ID with proof of age required for entry. Tickets: Members $25; Adults (nonmembers) $50.

Emily Thompson: Master Class I
Druker Family Pavilion 160
Saturday, April 26, 10:30 am–12:30 pm
Hands-on flower instruction from a renowned, highly innovative sculptor turned floral designer. Tickets $250.

Emily Thompson: Master Class II (advanced)
Druker Family Pavilion 160
Sunday, April 17, 10:30 am–12:30 pm
Hands-on advanced flower instruction from a renowned, highly innovative sculptor turned floral designer. Tickets $250.

Emily Thompson: Spring in the Wild Kingdom
Remis Auditorium
Monday, April 28, 10:30 am–12:30 pm
A floral demonstration and lecture by Emily Thompson whose highly innovative and dramatic arrangements combine her love and reverence for nature with classical ornamental design. Tickets $55.

Elegant Tea
Koch Gallery 250
Saturday. April 26, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm
Sunday, April 27, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm
Monday, April 28, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm
Tickets required. Limited tickets available each day for purchase at the box office in person.
Tickets: Adults $30, Children under 12 $10.
Parties may be combined as needed.

Marc Hall and Janie Haas: A Blooming Affair
Alfond Auditorium
Monday, April 28, 3–4 pm
Enjoy learning about the latest in design trends for events and weddings from Marc Hall, a renowned designer and event planner and Janie Haas, a 2013 award winner of Boston Magazine’s “Best of Boston.” Tickets $25.

Tom Strangfeld: The Entry Courtyard Garden
Alfond Auditorium
Saturday, April 26, 3–4 pm
Come let Tom show you how your front yard is far more than just another part of the landscape… rather it is the first room in your home, welcoming family and friends.

Art in Bloom French, Italian, and Russian Tours
Meet at Sharf Visitor Center
Saturday, April 26, 2:45–3:45 pm
Tours given in French, Italian, and Russian include art and floral arrangements throughout the galleries.

Members’ Night
Saturday, April 26, 6–9 pm
Doors open at 5:30 pm.
Enjoy a members-only viewing of the MFA’s 38th annual festival of fine art and flowers.

Family Day
Various locations throughout the Museum
Sunday, April 27, 10 am–3 pm
Celebrate Art in Bloom with family-friendly activities for all ages including live entertainment, art-making activities, and storytelling.

Dora Lee: Celebrate the Season of Color with Ikebana
Alfond Auditorium
Sunday, April 27, 3–4 pm
Drop in to see Dora Lee demonstrating Sogetsu Ikebana from basic to freestyle.

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