Boston Flora

Tag: Museum of Fine Arts

  • Friday, May 2 – Sunday, May 4 – Art in Bloom 2025

    Celebrate spring’s arrival with Art in Bloom at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston! This beloved event showcases the expertise of New England garden clubs, professional designers, and MFA floral volunteers, who create interpretive arrangements inspired by artworks from the collection. Enjoy dozens of bold arrangements throughout the building, along with special events, guided tours, dining, and shopping. This year’s event takes place May 2 – May 4 during Museum hours. Specific lectures and workshops may be found at https://www.mfa.org/event/special-event/art-in-bloom. Highlights include Sandra Sigman Master Classes on Saturday, May 3 at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm (members $300, nonmembers $325), a Member Night on Saturday May 3 from 6 – 10, and a community installation with Jimmy Guzman all weekend, which allows visitors to assist him as he builds botanical pieces in Gallery 168.

  • Friday, April 28 – Sunday, April 30 – Art in Bloom at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

    Art in Bloom returns to the MFA’s galleries on Friday, April 28, 2023. You won’t want to miss these beautiful interpretive floral arrangements of 45 artworks. Enjoy the creativity of professional floral designers and many talented volunteers. Cost is included in general admission, but on Member Night, Saturday April 29 from 6 – 9, Members and their guests enjoy an exclusive viewing of Art in Bloom, as well as access to the MFA’s galleries, including “Making Past Present: Cy Twombly,” “Hokusai: Inspiration and Influence,” and “Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina.” Separate tickets are required for this exclusive and fun event. Get tickets and learn more at https://www.mfa.org/event/special-event/art-in-bloom

  • Tuesday, March 28, 1:00 pm – Texture in Floral Design Workshop

    Join Carolyn Ellis on Tuesday, March 28 at 1 pm at The First Lutheran Church of Boston, 299 Berkeley Street, to explore the role of texture in floral design. Create your own arrangement, following Carolyn’s step-by-step demonstration, or use workshop materials to create your own design. All materials, including container, flowers and tools will be provided but if you have favorite flower snips, feel free to bring them. There is a $65.00 non-refundable materials fee for this program.
     

    Carolyn has been designing flowers at the Museum of Fine Arts as an MFA Associate for more than ten years. Her work includes flower arrangements for the visitor center and for special events, holiday demonstrations for museum members, and training for incoming floral designers. She has done many Art in Bloom Roadshow demonstrations. Carolyn loves to share the basics of floral design with flower lovers, and one of her teaching videos for LexMedia cable television received an award for excellence in 2021.

    This program is for Garden Club of the Back Bay Members Only. For information on joining the Club to entitle you to participate, visit https://bostonflora.com/ Even counting the annual dues into the calculation, this class is good value. Plus, you are contributing to the beautification of the Back Bay and the Club’s commitment to urban tree care. Please rsvp by March 15 and pay the materials fee on Eventbrite by clicking HERE. 

    For questions about this program contact Nancy Cyr by clicking HERE. Nancy will keep a waiting list should spaces fill up. Out of respect for our fellow club members, please be sure to let her know if you cannot attend and need to cancel. 

    Tickets are non-refundable. If you cannot attend, we will consider your payment a contribution and you will receive an 
    acknowledgment. 

  • Thursday, January 30, 10:45 am – Flower Arranging Demonstration

    Thursday, January 30, 10:45 am – Flower Arranging Demonstration

    Nancy Cyr, Garden Club of the Back Bay member, will be doing a large flower arranging demonstration at the Museum of Fine Arts Sharf Information Center on January 30 at 10:45 am.  This provides an opportunity to learn about flower arranging and get tips as Nancy makes a large flower arrangement which will be used as part of the Lunar New Year celebration. No need to RSVP. However, a membership to the MFA or day ticket will be required to enter. Grab a friend, spend the day, and enjoy a fellow member’s work!

  • Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Self-Guided Audio Tours

    Berkshire Botanical Garden has announced the addition of self-guided audio tours as a new way of viewing its 23 gardens located in Stockbridge, MA.

    New this season, the audio tour allows visitors to walk at their own pace while listening to narrated commentary located at 21 points of interest throughout the 15-acre Garden. The audio tour is included in the price of admission, and BBG members can always take the tour free of charge.

    “We are constantly seeking to enhance our visitors’ experience when they tour our beautiful gardens, and this self-guided audio tour will give our visitors the flexibility to hear in-depth knowledge about the plants we feature and the Garden’s history, no matter when they choose to visit,” said Garden Executive Director Michael Beck. “The audio tour includes garden highlights chosen for their visual impact and educational appeal.” Some points of interest include the original 1937 herb garden, the pond garden and the rose collection.

    The audio tour was created in conjunction with the Garden’s horticulture and education departments working with Guide ID, which provides interactive guides to museums worldwide, including the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, Hall Place Gardens, Bexley (United Kingdom), and throughout the US including the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas, and the California Science Center in Los Angeles. It was produced by Sandpail Productions with voice talent provided by Grace Angela Henry, owner/founder of New York City-based A Voice for All Reasons.

    Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at the intersection of Routes 102/183 in Stockbridge, MA and is open daily, 9 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. In addition to free audio tours, docent-led tours are offered daily at 11 a.m. and are also free with Garden admission.

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  • Sunday, July 8, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Floral Still Life Painting

    Working from direct observation, take time to study and paint a beautiful floral arrangement. Whether you’re an experienced artist, or just interested in experimenting with acrylic paint, this Tower Hill Botanic Garden class on Sunday, July 8 from 1 – 4 will be a fun, guided afternoon of creative exploration. All materials included in the fee ($45 for Tower Hill members, $55 for nonmembers).

    Instructor Julianne Martin is an artist whose work consists of paintings that celebrate nature and experience. Made from acrylic paint, graphite and glitter, Julianne’s work presents a convergence of delicate whitewashed rainbows, stained emblems of animal spirits, impressions of the night world, and enlivened botanical patterns. Julianne lives in Boston, where she offers art lessons, art parties and workshops. She also teaches art to children and adults at Brookline Arts Center. Julianne received her BFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. She has an MFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design at the Fine Arts Work Center. To learn more about Julianne, visit her website, http://www.julianne-martin.com. To register, visit www.towerhillbg.org.

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  • Wednesday, October 14, 10:00 am – The History of the Tulip and the Tulipmania Movement in 17th Century Netherlands

    Explore the history of this wandering beauty with Ila Cox. The Garden Club of the Back Bay’s October meeting and lecture will be held Wednesday, October 14 beginning at 10 am at The College Club, 44 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston.

    From its cradle in the foothills of the Himalayas, we follow the tulip’s journey over the centuries through Persia, the Ottoman Empire and Western Europe in the 16th century. In the Golden Age of 17th century Holland, the tulip takes on larger prominence as it intersects with the burgeoning Dutch economy. It becomes a principle actor in an economic drama of historic proportion. Tulipmania has direct relevance for our 21st century experience with the inflated values of certain commodities and lack of market regulations. The tulip moved west during the 17th century and was introduced to North America and other colonies. Today Dutch tulip production has become a major commercial success as the tulip is marketed to the world.

    Ila Cox is a plant lover, gardener, garden traveler, and a student of garden and plant history. She studied flower arranging with Sheila McQueen, has been a church flower arranger, owner of The Potting Shed, and is a member of the Andover and Boxford Garden Clubs, former Chair of the Flower Committee of the MFA Associates, and lectures on flower arranging and horticultural topics.

    Garden Club of the Back Bay members will receive written notice of this meeting. Guests are welcome. Please email info@bostonflora.com if you plan to attend.

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

    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.

  • Tuesdays, July 15 – July 29, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon – Great American Gardens Series at the MFA

    Tuesday mornings July 15-29 (see below for information on individual weeks,) take a break from the summer heat to hear the fascinating stories behind these monumental and luscious gardens, from their inceptions to recent renovations. Experience one of America’s first botanical gardens, Boston’s green oasis, the Public Garden; the magnificent mansion gardens of Newport, Rhode Island; and the gardens of Thomas Jefferson’s iconic Monticello. All sessions will be held in the Remis Auditorium of The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston from 10:30 – noon.

    Three-session course tickets ($60, $75) are not available online. To order tickets by phone, call 1-800-440-6975; to order in person, visit any MFA ticket desk. The first price is for members, seniors, and students; the second is full price.

    On July 15, Keith Morgan, director of Architectural Studies and professor of American and European Architecture at Boston University will discuss The Boston Public Garden: The Atypical Landscape. How many of us know the true story behind this Boston icon? From its origins as a private botanical garden built on filled marshland to the public horticultural and educational gem of the mid-Victorian era, see how the Public Garden has become a site for celebration and forgotten controversy.

    On July 22, Jeffrey Curtis, Director of Gardens and Grounds at Newport Mansions will present Gardens of the Newport Mansions. Hear the inside story of the miraculous gardens of Newport, Rhode Island’s mansions. The Preservation Society of Newport County has worked tirelessly since the 1940s to preserve Newport’s sumptuous mansions and grounds. Take a visual walk through gardens including Miss Wetmore’s Secret Garden at Chateau-sur-Mer, Rosecliff, and the Sunken Gardens at The Elms.

    Lastly, on July 29, the Museum welcomes Jane Amidon, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Research, and Professor and Director of the Urban Landscape Program at Northeastern University, who will speak on Jefferson’s Monticello: A Garden of Science and Art. Our third US president was also the founding father of quintessential American landscape practices. Examine the enduring legacy and fruitful lessons of his civic horticulture through the gardens of his estate in Virginia at Monticello, home to two centuries of innovation in botanical, agrarian, and aesthetic techniques.

  • 2014 Garden Club of the Back Bay Art in Bloom Entry

    2014 Garden Club of the Back Bay Art in Bloom Entry

    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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