The Gallery at Flat Rock Presents the Fourth Annual “Art in Bloom”
In a celebration of ephemeral beauty, The Gallery at Flat Rock is continuing its annual springtime tradition of pairing professional floral designers with fine artists. The resulting imaginative interpretations of juried artworks will form the basis of the fourth annual ‘Art in Bloom’ exhibit, happening May 25 through May 27, 2019. As ‘Art in Bloom’ did for the first time in 2018, the exhibit will raise funds for classroom art programs for the benefit of high school students in the Henderson County Public Schools system.
“Interpreting art with flowers, what could be more natural or exciting this time of year?” said Betsy Edward, architect, and interior designer, and Art in Bloom 2018 juror. “How lucky are we to have an abundance of both in our area. I find Art in Bloom the perfect emotional lift needed to kick start the very spirit of spring.”
A ticketed Preview Reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 24 will give the public a chance to get a first peek at the exhibition’s artwork paired with fresh floral arrangements. Proceeds from this reception, which is $40 per person and includes food and drinks, will benefit local high school art students.
“Art in Bloom gives me the opportunity to play, stretch my creative muscles, and create floral art purely for the joy of it!” said Beth Hohensee, owner of and head creative at Studio Flora Diva. “(The exhibit) is a way for me to connect with others in the floral community and be inspired by their work. I love the concept of art inspiring art.”
The Gallery at Flat Rock Presents its Fourth Annual “Art in Bloom” (Page 2 of 2)
The 2019 ‘Art in Bloom’ judges— Robert Milnes, Bethanne Knudson, and Dian Magie —will select 20 artists to participate, based on submissions, as well as one local high school student artist. To create the floral doppelgangers for the ‘Art in Bloom’ exhibit, designers first study the artwork and then create fresh floral interpretations based on what they see. These floral pieces are exhibited alongside the artwork that inspired the designers’ dynamic visual displays. The first ‘Art in Bloom’ exhibit was staged in 1976 at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
“It was such a pleasure to be one of the artists included in the Art and Bloom exhibition in 2018,” said artist Angela Cunningham, who was honored with the Best Fine Art award in Art in Bloom 2018. “What a sight…to have two different art forms come together to complement and enhance each other. The florists were so creative and thoughtful to the essence of the artwork that the two pieces really became united and as one.”
The May 24 Preview Reception will provide needed funds for art teachers at the five Henderson County high schools, to add to their small budget. Each high school art teacher will be furnished with a gift card to The Starving Artist to purchase supplies for students to use. Thanks to Hunter Volvo, the main corporate sponsor for this event, all proceeds will go to the art teachers.
All works of art will be available to purchase. Invited floral designers include ten members of the Blue Ridge Chapter of the Ikenobo Ikebana Society and eight professional “free form” floral designers from western North Carolina.
“My participation last spring in the Art in Bloom show at The Gallery At Flat Rock was a delightfully challenging and exciting experience,” said Dede Walton, an Ikenobo and Ikebana artist. “Doing my best to capture the essence of another artist’s work in my own floral creation took me into my own creative space which is where I can find joy and beauty. I am looking forward to the challenge of this year’s show.”
Art in Bloom 2019 is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day from Saturday, May 25, through Monday, May 27, 2019.
The Gallery at Flat Rock represents finely curated art and craft and is located in Flat Rock Square at 2702-A Greenville Highway in Flat Rock, North Carolina. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; or by appointment. For more information on the gallery and Art in Bloom 2019 please visit the gallery’s website atgalleryflatrock.com or call 828.698.7000.
