Carol Stocker
Globe Correspondent
Highlights Including Family Day, Guided Gallery Tours, Lectures, and Floral Demonstrations when the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), all are part of this weekend’s Art in Bloom, a festival of floral arrangements inspired by masterpieces on view in the Museum’s galleries. These displays are created by New England garden club members and professional designers.
The event, now marking its 37th anniversary, kicks-off Saturday, April 27, and runs through Monday, April 29. Some 50 works of art from across the Museum’s encyclopedic collection will be interpreted in flowers, including John Singer Sargent’s iconic painting The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit, the recently conserved sculpture of the Roman goddess Juno, and contemporary artist El Anatsui’s sculptural work Black River.
Drop-in Ikebana floral demonstrations and gallery tours will be offered during Art in Bloom on Saturday, April 27, followed by a Member’s Night from 6–9 p.m. that evening. On Sunday, April 28, the MFA will host a Family Day featuring family-friendly programming, art-making activities, storytelling, and live entertainment. Additionally, local artist Robert Guillemin (“Sidewalk Sam”) will be at the MFA collaborating with visitors to leave their mark on the Museum’s steps using sidewalk chalk. This year’s featured speaker will be Shane Connolly, who received worldwide acclaim for the elegant and inspired floral décor he created for the 2011 royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Connolly will conduct two master classes with hands-on floral instruction on Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28. He will also present a lecture and demonstration on Monday, April 29, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a book signing. All presentations by Connolly are ticketed events. Daily events include continuous demonstrations of floral arranging for the home, outdoor walking tours exploring the architecture and neighboring gardens of the MFA, and free gallery tours highlighting the floral arrangements throughout the Museum.
Also included is a ticketed “Elegant Tea” available Saturday through Monday in the newly renovated William I. Koch Gallery, one of the Museum’s grandest spaces. Guests at the afternoon tea, hosted by Cunard Line—operator of the famous ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth. The full schedule of events is listed below.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Ticketed Events
· Shane Connolly Master Class I
Saturday, April 27, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Hands-on floral arranging with one of Britain’s renowned floral designers. Tickets are $200.
· Shane Connolly Master Class II (advanced)
Sunday, April 28, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Hands-on floral arranging for advanced students. Tickets are $200.
· Shane Connolly: A Year in Flowers
Monday, April 29, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Connolly presents a floral demonstration and lecture, followed by a book signing. Tickets are $55.
· “Elegant Tea” in the William I. Koch Gallery
12:30 and 2:30 p.m. daily
Reservations required
Adult tickets: $30; children 12 and under: $10
Famed for its legendary white-gloved afternoon tea services, the renowned Cunard Line will host “Elegant Tea.” Guests will enjoy the finest teas and canapés during a traditional British-style afternoon.
Special Events
Free with Museum admission, no reservations required. Museum admission is free for MFA members.
· Ikebana Floral Demonstrations
Saturday, April 27, 3–4 p.m.
Each of the three Ikebana design schools will present one floral creation.
· Members’ Night
Saturday, April 27, 6–9 p.m.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
A members-only viewing with tours, shopping, and dining.
· Family Day
Sunday, April 28, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Art-making activities and performances for children of all ages.
· Gardens of New York
Sunday, April 28, 3–4 p.m.
A presentation by Maureen Bovet, who lectures on world gardens.
· Designing a Garden for All Seasons
Monday, April 29, 3–4 p.m.
A presentation by Suzanne Mahler, a recognized garden writer and lecturer.
Daily Events
Free with Museum admission, no reservations required. Museum admission is free for MFA members.
· Art in Bloom Gallery Tours
10 a.m.–3 p.m.
A tour of the collections and floral arrangements throughout the galleries.
· Designing with Flowers
Noon–3 p.m.
Continuous demonstrations of flower arranging for the home.
· Outdoor Walking Tours
1–2 p.m.
The MFA’s architecture and neighboring gardens are among the highlights of this tour.
· Enter-to-Win a Cunard Line Tour
Cunard will offer Art in Bloom attendees an enter-to-win opportunity for a private tour and luncheon for one winner and three guests aboard Queen Mary 2 during one of the ocean liner’s future Boston visits.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Art in Bloom is free with Museum admission. Advance ticket purchase is required for the Shane Connolly lecture and master classes and “Elegant Tea.” Tickets may be purchased at www.mfa.org/artinbloom, by calling 1-800-440-6975, or in person at the MFA ticket desks. For the full event schedule, visit http://www.mfa.org/programs/series/art-bloom.
Join the conversation about the about the MFA on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mfaboston and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mfaboston, and watch MFA-related videos on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/mfabost
Art in Bloom originated at the MFA in 1976 and since then has been replicated at museums throughout the country. The three-day event attracts more than 15,000 visitors, and is one of the most highly attended events at the Museum. It is organized by the Museum’s volunteer group, the MFA Associates, an organization of 75 members formed in 1956, who contribute more than 40,000 volunteer hours to the Museum annually. In addition to presenting this annual event, their activities include funding MFA grants and School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) scholarships from Art in Bloom proceeds, providing assistance at the Sharf Visitor Center Desk, leading daily gallery tours, creating regional membership outreach programs, organizing events, and arranging flowers in the MFA’s public space.
Open seven days a week, the MFA’s hours are Saturday through Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.; and Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 9:45 p.m. Admission (which includes one repeat visit within 10 days) is $25 for adults and $23 for seniors and students age 18 and older, and includes entry to all galleries and special exhibitions. Admission is free for University Members and youths age 17 and younger on weekdays after 3 p.m., weekends, and Boston Public Schools holidays; otherwise $10. Wednesday nights after 4 p.m. admission is by voluntary contribution (suggested donation $25). MFA Members are always admitted for free. The MFA’s multi-media guide is available at ticket desks and the Sharf Visitor Center for $5, members; $6, non-members; and $4, youths. The Museum is closed on New Year’s Day, Patriots’ Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. For more information, visit www.mfa.org or call 617.267.9300. The MFA is located on the Avenue of the Arts at 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.
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