Mia’s Art in Bloom Fills the Galleries with Scent and Sensation

Art in Bloom 2016, courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art

A floral-themed fashion show; the celebration of the lowly carnation; and lecture-demonstrations on paper flowers, Tuscan gardens, and finding inspiration in the art of botanical drawing—those are just single petals on the bountiful bloom soon to burst at Mia (Minneapolis Institute of Art). As always, spring will have officially sprung when Mia opens its halls and galleries for its 34th annual Art in Bloom event, the centerpiece of which is the pairing of beaucoup flora with its art. This year, 165 fresh floral arrangements will be displayed with works of art in Mia’s collection.

Presented by Friends of the Institute, Art in Bloom take place April 27–30, with the Preview Party Wednesday, April 26 at 6:00 p.m. ($200 per ticket). The fundraiser features the flowers at their freshest—an ideal, scented backdrop for mingling with friends over cocktails before delving into the Tuscan-style dinner on the second floor in honor of Princess Giorgiana Corsini of Florence, Italy, the evening’s featured speaker.

Dovetailing with Fashion Week Minnesota is the Art in Bloom Fashion Show and Formal Luncheon on Friday, April 28, at 11:30 a.m. ($85). Presented by the Galleria Edina, festivities begin with champagne in the Fountain Court followed by a “Spring Trends” fashion show presented by Galleria Edina shops and independent designers. The Italian theme continues at the formal luncheon in the Reception Hall, catered by D’Amico. Before and after, guests are encouraged to stop and smell the flowers.

Now, about the carnation: That frilly, not-a-color-found-in-nature staple of grocery store bouquets and lesser floral arrangements is apparently making a comeback. During the free event Carnation Appreciation, on Friday, April 28, from 6 to 9 p.m., a themed photo booth, cash bar, and lively atmosphere will help illuminate the flower’s relevance, while Erin Furey (art director, stylist, and former contributor to Martha Stewart Living) leads a workshop on making giant paper carnations ($20).

Other events include lecture/demonstration ($25) with Livia Cetti, author of The Exquisite Book of Paper Flower Transformations, on “The Green Vase: The Art of Paper Flowers”; Lindsey Taylor, floral stylist, landscape designer, and writer on “The Art of Inspiration” using objects from Mia to interpret through flowers; and Princess Giorgiana Corsini, expert on Italian Renaissance gardens and keeper of the nearly 400-year-old Tuscan garden at her family home in Florence, Italy, on the traditions inherent to “Tuscan Gardens.” Complimentary 45-minute docent tours of floral displays will take place throughout Art in Bloom. For a tour schedule, click here

 

Art in Bloom 2015, courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art

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by Camille LeFevre

 

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