PHILADELPHIA The imagination and beauty on canvas that is given bloom and blossom by flowers and gardens inspires the theme for the 2014 edition of the Philadelphia Flower Show, which will run March 1-9 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
At a press conference Tuesday at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts on North Broad Street, the shows theme of ARTiculture was labeled the fusion of art and horticulture. Natural settings, floral arrangements and gardens have served as subject matter for some of the worlds greatest paintings, prints and sculptures, according to the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, sponsoring organization of the nations oldest flower show.
Sam Lemheney, senior vice president for shows and events for the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, said the theme makes sense: Art and horticulture go together since the beginning of art. He promised this years show will give visitors something to think about.
While this years theme may seem like a departure from the past years in which a nation or region was the focus for the flower show (last year was the gardens and flora of Great Britain), world cultures and art history can be discovered in exhibits. Such will be found in American Institute of Floral Designers look at Korean treasures or Swarthmores Michael Petrie Handmade Gardens display of Frenchman Henri Matisses imagery, derived largely from works found at the Barnes Foundation.
Tom Morris, operations manager for J. Downend Landscaping Inc. in the Crum Lynne section of Ridley Township, explained Downend will present Avant Gardening inspired by Flower Abstraction by American Modernist artist Marsden Hartley (1877-1943).
Morris said it was not too hard to make to the art/flora relationship. When you wrap your mind around it, it is just thinking differently. He said the artwork J. Downend Landscaping Inc. selected as its template reminded him of the kind of thing you see in IKEA.
The colors are so vibrant and ahead of its time, said Morris. And there are so many levels to the painting. I see a three-dimensional garden as I look at it, like a blueprint from above. The J. Downend exhibit will draw on the paintings geometric shapes and masses of bright color combinations.
Among other Delaware County exhibitors will be: Stoney Bank Nurseries in Glen Mills, and Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades in Middletown. Stoney Bank will present Beauty of the Brandywine with an exhibit inspired by the art of the Wyeth family and the collection at the Brandywine River Museum. Williamson students will present Liberation from Tradition highlighting the work of Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx with flowing lines, water cascades and colorful plants.
In addition to the marketplace and shopping area, highlights of this years show include:
An entrance garden frame inspired by artist Alexander Calder which Lemheney called, the most colorful entrance garden ever created for the flower show.
A butterfly experience featuring a thousand fluttering pollinators with 20 species of butterflies presented by Californias Sky River Butterflies. This add-on experience will allow visitors to roam around the butterflies in a simulated natural environment.
Join in the creation of the making of artwork at an exhibit hosted by the Crayola Experience, a large paint-by-numbers painting called ARTiculture Tour. Flower show visitors can also create their own coloring page using kiosks with custom software.
The return of special nights includes Wedding Wednesday on March 5 for prospective brides and their bridal parties to sample and get advice for their big day; the fourth annual LGBT Party on Sunday, March 2, with cocktails and food samplings; and Girls Night Out on Thursday, March 6, presenting food and wine tastings, shopping and demonstrations.
IF YOU GO: The Philadelphia Flower Show runs Saturday, March 1-Sunday, March 9 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Arch streets, Philadelphia. Advance tickets are $27 for adults, $20 for students and $15 for children (2-16). Tickets at the door are $32 for adults, $22 for students and $17 for children. Check flowershow.com or call 215-988-8899 for recorded information on daily hours and ticket locations.
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