Minneapolis, MN, March 23, 2016—This spring, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) brings together thousands of flowers and timeless art to offer visitors a fresh way to experience the museum. Presented by Friends of the Institute and now in its 33rd year, Art in Bloom showcases over 150 floral displays inspired by works of art in Mia’s collection. The four day festival is the museum’s most popular fundraiser, with last year’s event attracting a record-breaking attendance of over 40,000 visitors. Art in Bloom is on view April 28 to May 1, 2016 and includes a corresponding store, the Art and Bloom Shop. General admission to Art in Bloom is free, with ticketed events.
Mia welcomes several distinguished speakers to participate in lectures and demonstrations during Art in Bloom, including:
- Chris Strand, Director of Garden and Estate at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library in Delaware, will host “Winterthur: The Last Wild Garden.” Strand will speak to the vision of Henry Francis du Pont and his creation of Winterthur’s 60-acre naturalistic garden, one of the last original wild gardens of the early 20th century.
- “Florist to the Stars” designer Michael Gaffney’s “Flower Power: A Master Class from the Minneapolis School of Flower Design,” promises to teach attendees “the DaVinci Code of flower design with proven formulas based on math, science, and architecture.” Gaffney’s arrangements will be auctioned off immediately following his demonstration.
- Karin Woodward, lead designer and owner of Haute Horticulture, will share themed arrangements, such as an edible tablescape, and show how to make a “flower wheel” at “Nature’s Eye: A Window into Mindful Design and Living.” Woodward’s arrangements will be auctioned off immediately following her demonstration.
Other events include a formal luncheon presented by D’Amico in Mia’s Reception Hall and featuring a fashion show from Dugo located in the Galleria, Edina. Models will move through the room in Thai silk creations designed by Marisa Baratelli, who will moderate and speak to her involvement with Thai silk, an incredibly elegant fabric.
These ticketed lectures, demonstrations, and luncheons, as well as sales from the Art in Bloom Shop, provide the Friends of the Institute with funds to bring more than 81,000 schoolchildren to the museum each year, and provide nearly 93,000 pre-K through grade 12 students with off-site arts education.
Free Art in Bloom events include Flowers After Hours, “A Southern-Style Wedding” themed floral fantasy presented by Bachman’s; a Family Event inspired by Antoine O Flatharta’s book Hurry and the Monarch; and docent-led tours of the floral arrangements are offered throughout the weekend.
Visit http://new.artsmia.org/art-in-bloom-2016 for the complete 2016 Art in Bloom program and for ticket information for events.
Lead Sponsor: Bachman’s
Honorary Chair: Linda Boelter
Major Sponsor: Kraus-Anderson Companies
Generous support provided by Martha Head, Lakewood Cemetery, Bob and Barbara Scott, Lakes Area Realty, Michael Birt and friends and family of Ann Birt, Lucille Amis, Mary Olson, Tom and Lynn Schaefer, and SpartanNash.
Additional support provided by David and Margene Fox, Sam and Patty McCullough, Mary Grau, Edina Eye Physicians & Surgeons, Olson Law Firm, Len Busch Roses, Caldrea, B.T. McElrath Chocolatier, and Acendas.