FITCHBURG — Travel through vibrant colors, creativity, and museum exhibits as the springtime ushers in the 25th Art in Bloom, featuring over 41 floral interpretations, alongside the artwork it is celebrating.
The Laurelwood Garden Club and the Fitchburg Art Museum, with sponsorship from Fitchburg State University, will open the 25th Art in Bloom event on Thursday, April 27, through Sunday April 30, at the Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm St.
“We are excited, especially this year, as this will be the club’s 25th Silver Anniversary of Art In Bloom and 25 members of the Laurelwood Garden Club have selected artwork to interpret to keep its theme for reaching its silver anniversary,” said Julie Palioca, club member, interpreter, and public relations director for the Laurelwood Garden Club. “We are also grateful for our friends and family who will be interpreting to make this year’s Art in Bloom an even bigger event.”
The Laurelwood Garden Club extends an invitation to the public to view the many spectacular and creative floral arrangements.
Exhibitions featuring artwork interpretations include “Rania Mater: Oceans at My Door”; “Papertown” which celebrates Fitchburg’s rich history of papermaking; “In the Eye of the Beholder: Gender through the Camera Lens”; “Evoking Eleanor”; “Moving Objects: African and Oceanic Art”; and “Discover Ancient Egypt.”
Once again, visitors will have an opportunity to select their favorite artwork interpretation by a People’s Choice Award. Ballots will be provided in the program book and can be dropped off at Laurelwood Garden Club’s information table.
“In addition to seeing the beauty of the museum and being overwhelmed with the joy of these colorful and imaginative floral interpretations, there will be various events taking place during the Art Bloom weekend,” said Palioca.
Beginning on Friday, April 28, visitors can enjoy the music of the Fitchburg State University Chamber Choir from l until l:30 p.m.
Also, on Friday, a “Mingle with Flowers Champagne Reception” will be held from 6 until 8 p.m., featuring hors d’oeuvres, champagne, and musical entertainment by the Fitchburg State University Orchestra.
Museum Director, Nick Capasso, will open the reception with various announcements, followed by welcoming remarks from Fitchburg State University’s president Richard Lapidus, with the university being the lead sponsor of the 25th Art in Bloom.
Kathryn Nowosielski, president of the Laurelwood Garden Club, will present this year’s interpreters and will announce the recipient of the Laurelwood Garden Club’s Kay Previte Award.
“This special recognition, which is awarded to an interpreter, is the club’s way to honor Kay as co-founder of Art in Bloom and for all her efforts in helping members of the Laurelwood Garden Club to continuously participate in the Art in Bloom event,” said Palioca, “She [Kay] continues to be an inspiration to all club members.”
Advance reservations are recommended for the Mingle with Champagne Reception and can be purchased online; at the Fitchburg Art Museum’s reception desk; or by calling 978-345-4207. Tickets cost $30 for non/members, $25 for museum members. Interpreters received a complimentary ticket.
A floral demonstration by O’Hara School of Ikebana will be held from l until 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 29, and an artist talk by May Babcock will be held from 1-2 p.m. Sunday, April 30.
Babcock, an exhibiting artist in the Paper Town exhibit, is an interdisciplinary artist whose work is rooted in hand papermaking and place. Her art reconnects people to the voice of the land and waters, transforming plant fibers, seaweed, sediment, and site materials into expansive installations, organic sculptures, analog photos and prints on paper, and textured pulp paintings.
Admission to these two events is included in the 25th Art in Bloom ticket price.
“Art in Bloom is our most well attended event of the year and It has been a sincere pleasure partnering with the Laurelwood Garden Club to fill our museum up with skillfully arranged florals interpreting selected works in our exhibitions,” said Aimee Cotnoir, Manager of Membership and Events at the Fitchburg Art Museum. “This year, we are especially excited as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this cherished event. It’s Fitchburg’s very special way to welcome in the Spring season – full of vibrant color and life!”
Hours will be from 1-5 p.m. Thursday, April 27; and from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday, April 28 through Sunday, April 30. Admission to the 25th Art in Bloom is $15 for adults; $10 for seniors and students.
For additional information on the Laurelwood Garden Club, contact Julie Palioca at 978-537-7630. For more information on Art in Bloom, visit fitchburgartmuseum.org/events/art-in-bloom or call the Fitchburg Art Museum at 978-345-4207.
