Art in Bloom 2012
April 26–29, 2012
“Art in the Garden” theme suggests gardens themselves are works of art.
Minneapolis, March XX, 2012—The twenty-ninth annual Art in Bloom (AIB), the largest yearly fund-raising event of the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA), will be held throughout the museum from April 26 through 29, 2012. Presented each spring by the Friends of the Institute, AIB is a four-day celebration of art and flowers. This year, AIB follows the theme “Art in the Garden,” which suggests whole gardens can be seen as works of art. Appropriately, the signature image from the MIA collection is Theodore Wendel’s Impressionist painting, The Butterfly Catchers, depicting two children amid a field of colorful flowers. The painting was purchased partly through the fund established by Ethel Morrison Van Derlip, in whose honor the Friends of the Institute was born in 1922, thus marking the organization’s 90th anniversary this year. Event co-chairs are Betsey Whitbeck and Ann Birt.
“Art in Bloom is really a festival of many events,” Birt said. Floral designers create exquisite arrangements inspired by masterworks from the museum’s collection. More than 150 floral interpretations, as well as lavish displays by commercial florists, will be on display. AIB offers lectures and demonstrations, daily guided tours, luncheon events, special evening and children’s events, and the Art in Bloom gift shop. Viewing the arrangements and artworks are free of charge; some events have nominal fees.
The Friends of the Institute has presented AIB throughout the years to support the MIA and its service to the community. AIB is the group’s largest and most popular volunteer effort, drawing nearly 26,000 visitors of all ages. Over the past twenty-eight years, AIB has raised $2.9 million to finance educational experiences, exhibitions and programs, art acquisitions, museum needs, and free monthly lectures.
The schedule for AIB lectures, demonstrations, and special events follows. Please visit www.artsmia.org/art-in-bloom for the complete AIB program, and to reserve tickets to the events.
THURSDAY, APRIL 26
LECTURE
Gordon Hayward, “Fine Painting as Inspiration for Garden Design”
Pillsbury Auditorium, 10 a.m., $30
Gordon Hayward, author of Art and the Gardener, will explore the visual language shared by painters and garden designers with references to the MIA’s collection. Hayward is a nationally recognized garden designer, writer, and lecturer, and who works from his home in Vermont.
Sponsored by Bill Hodder in memory of his wife, Sue.
FLORAL DEMONSTRATION
René van Rems, “European Floral Art & Design”
Pillsbury Auditorium, 1:30 p.m., $30
California-based Dutch master designer René van Rems, AIFD, showcases current floral trends, including the design styles and techniques of German hand-tied Biedermeier bouquets, as well as Dutch parallel and French country designs. Rems presented at AIB in 1995 and 2004.
Sponsored by May and Doug Olson.
SPECIAL EVENT
Flowers After Hours: Haute-House Garden
Reception Hall, 6 to 9 p.m., free
Unique fashions from some of the hottest local designers will be featured at this year’s Flowers After Hours. Party-goers can also mingle in the galleries among the floral arrangements, chat with floral artists about their inspirations, and enjoy music and a cash bar.
Sponsored by Macy’s.
FRIDAY, APRIL 27
FLORAL DEMONSTRATION
Jane Godshalk, “The Garden Party”
Pillsbury Auditorium, 10 a.m., $25
Jane Godshalk, AIFD, is an award-winning floral designer on the faculty of the Longwood Gardens in Philadelphia. For this demonstration, she will incorporate an array of design styles, mechanics, and techniques that will enliven any garden party, from intimate gatherings to grand occasions. Her arrangements will be auctioned after the program.
Sponsored by Martha Head.
FLORAL WORKSHOP
Jane Godshalk, “Couture Arranging”
MIA Studios 112 & 113, 1:30 p.m., $125
Led by Jane Godshalk, this hands-on floral workshop teaches participants how to combine greens and flowers to make stunning decorative designs. Learn an array of foliage manipulation techniques to create a long-lasting design to take home. Flowers and containers provided. Limited to 20 participants.
Sponsored by an anonymous donor.
SATURDAY, APRIL 28
SPECIAL EVENTS
Art in Bloom Family Event
Target Reception Hall, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., free
Join in fun activities designed for children and families, including a scavenger hunt, activities by Creative Kidstuff and Bachman’s, and theatrical storytelling.
Sponsored by General Mills Foundation.
String quartet performance
Regis Fountain Court, 2 p.m., free
Madeline Island Music Camp Fellowship Quartet will perform Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 10, Op. 74, Harp in the MIA’s Fountain Court. Approximately 30 minutes.
RELATED EVENT AT BACHMAN’S
Bachman’s Spring Ideas House: “A Relaxing Renewal”
March 15–April 15
Bachman’s on Lyndale, 6010 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis
$5, with 20% benefiting Art in Bloom
With proceeds benefiting AIB, Bachman’s on Lyndale offers self-guided, 30-minute tours of the original Bachman home. The home is repurposed each season as a showcase of innovative home and floral décor items.
About the Minneapolis Institute of Art
The Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA), home to one of the finest encyclopedic art collections in the country, houses more than 80,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history. Highlights of the permanent collection include European masterworks by Rembrandt, Poussin, and van Gogh; modern and contemporary painting and sculpture by Picasso, Matisse, Mondrian, Stella, and Close; as well as internationally significant collections of prints and drawings, decorative arts, Modernist design, photographs, textiles, and Asian, African, and Native American art. General admission is always free. Some special exhibitions have a nominal admission fee. Museum hours: Sunday, 11 A.M.–5 P.M.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 A.M.–5 P.M.; Thursday, 10 A.M.–9 P.M.; Monday closed. For more information, call (612) 870-3131 or visit www.artsmia.org.
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Press contacts:
Tammy Pleshek, (612) 870-3171; tpleshek@artsmia.org
Anne-Marie Wagener, (612) 870-3280, awagener@artsmia.org