Beaux Arts will present the 13th annual Art in Bloom event at the Columbus Museum of Art from April 16-20.

Art in Bloom brings to life the permanent collection of the museum through the floral interpretations of 55 volunteer floral designers. The concept for Art in Bloom began in Boston in 1976; it has since become a well-established tradition in more than 30 museums across the country. In Columbus, Art in Bloom is presented by the Beaux Arts Auxiliary, a support organization that has backed the museum since 1948.

In February each year, paintings from the permanent collection are chosen for Art in Bloom and designers are invited to participate. They are then assigned a piece of art by lottery. Their task: to re-interpret their designated artwork through the medium of flowers.

“The designers don’t get what they want necessarily, and they don’t know what they’ll get. It’s really a challenge,” says Sue Larsen, floral designer liaison chair of the event.

But the challenge adds intrigue, which is part of what makes the event a success. Carol Hammond, a designer from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana, says she tends to find inspiration in an unlikely place when she researches her artists.

“Coming up with ideas the first time was really hard. I went to the museum gift shop, and every year I’ve found something in the shop that I can use, that I can change somehow to create my piece,” Hammond says.

Though Art in Bloom has some regulations for designers (for example, all plans must be submitted and approved before the event and no mist or spray watering is allowed in the museum), there are no limits on creativity.

“Everything I’ve seen people do is just amazing,” Hammond says. “What people come up with and the ideas they have are really interesting. I would definitely recommend touring the whole exhibit.”

Art in Bloom has been a longtime favorite for museum goers and employees alike, as they witness flowers transform the spaces into gardens and the paintings come to life.

“The museum staff loves this exhibit because it makes people look at the paintings in a whole new way,” Larsen says. “It’s more of a personal relationship when you bring it through flowers. And the museum smells wonderful.”

Beaux Arts also has events planned to span the five days of the exhibit. The opening night gala is April 16. A luncheon featuring a BalletMet fashion show is April 17, while the following day will feature a British High Society Tea. Finally, a free Family Fun Day on April 19 will include a performance by Promusica Chamber Orchestra. Proceeds benefit the museum’s children’s programs, which have grown tremendously because of the event.

“In the last few years, Sunday programs at the museum have developed and Saturday programs have gotten better and better,” Larsen says. “Every child in the schools in the City of Columbus comes to the museum during their 5th grade year. That is all supported by the funds from Art in Bloom.”

Art in Bloom is rewarding for everyone involved. Judy Mellon, retail manager at Blooms Direct in Columbus, is an Art in Bloom veteran. Blooms Direct has participated in Art in Bloom for all 13 years, bringing up to six employees to create floral interpretations and spending long hours planning and maintaining the designs.

“You feel a great amount of satisfaction when you see your work completed. When it works, when it gels, you almost feel a sense of awe because what you’ve created really brings the paintings to life,” Mellon says. “And to see all of the people who come because they’re interested in donating to the children’s programs is important – to know what you’re doing is worthwhile and serves a purpose.”

Kim Mayer is a contributing writer for Luxury Living Magazine. 

Schedule of Events
April 16-20: Art in Bloom
April 16: Opening Night Gala
April 17: Luncheon. Includes a BalletMet fashion show with a combination theme of The Great Gatsby and Alice in Wonderland. Costumes designed by Rebecca Turk.
April 18: British High Society Tea, Jeffrey Bazell will give a talk on “Mind Your Footing… Please” about gardening and fertilizing plants.
April 19: Family Fun Day, includes a performance by the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra and programs for children 6 and older.

To make reservations for any of these events, call 614-445-7132.