FLOWERING ART PART 1

Over the weekend my friend Marisa and I attended the Friends of the Institute Art In Bloom exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA).  This was only my second year attending the weekend long event, but it is definitely one of my favorites.

This lovely sight greeted us as we stepped inside the museum's doors.

Some arrangements were quite literal.

The dragonfly.

This year marked the 32^nd anniversary of this annual celebration of spring, which hosts over 150 floral interpretations of artwork from the museum's vast collection; encompassing a variety of mediums.

The lions at MIA set the tone for the exhibit.

The sign on the stairs asked guests to not climb on the walls by the lions.

Funds raised by donations from generous sponsors, from revenue from ticketed events and lectures, selling Art in Bloom programs, and from wonderful items from the Pop-up Garden Shop, provide educational tours and transportation for school children as well as support for exhibitions, activities, and free lectures throughout the year.  Last year over 82,000 students made trips to the MIA for guided tours!

The annual Art In Bloom event is free to the public, and I’m amazed, and grateful, that MIA is still able to offer such quality and innovative exhibits at no cost, especially since there is no admittance fee to the museum throughout the year.

***Does your community offer an event similar to Art In Bloom?