See the Springfield Museums in bloom! Visitors are invited to celebrate the coming of spring during the Festival of Flowers, April 4-7, 2013. Over 40 objects from the art, history and science collections will be interpreted by local florists, designers, and garden club members.
In addition to the floral displays, the Museums have scheduled a series of special events during the festival’s run. On Thursday, April 4, learn the behind-the-scenes story of “Art in Bloom,” the MFA Boston’s annual celebration of art and flowers during the weekly Museums à la Carte lecture at 12:15 pm ($2 members, $4 nonmembers). Later that evening from 5 to 8 pm is this month’s Culture & Cocktails event, where guests can view the featured floral arrangements in the Wood Museum of Springfield History, enjoy specialty cocktails, and watch as six florists compete in a surprise design challenge. The event sponsor is Bulkley Richardson; members are free, with nonmembers $5.
The Museum School will offer specialized courses during the Festival. On Friday, April 5, artist Kathleen Gougeon will lead the Floral Art in Pastels class on creating a still life from a floral arrangement in the gallery. Experienced florist Bob Whitney will guide students through the floral arranging process on Saturday, April 6 as they create a spring basket. All levels of expertise are welcome. To register, call 413.263.6800, ext. 377 or 382, or visit www.springfieldmuseums.org.
The featured event of the Festival will be the special presentation “From the White House to Your House” on Saturday, April 6 at 1 pm by master floral designer Ruth Loiseau, who has created flower arrangements for the White House since the Reagan administration. After her talk and demonstration, Loiseau’s floral arrangements will be raffled off to a few lucky participants. The cost to attend the special presentation is $7 in addition to museum admission. Advance tickets are available through www.springfieldmuseums.org.
Throughout the festival, a variety of cut flowers will be available for purchase from the Flower Cart on the Quadrangle Green provided by The Botaniste, a floral and interior design shop in Easthampton.
Festival of Flowers is generously sponsored by Flowers by Rebecca at the Castle of Knights Banquet Facility, and supported by Springfield Florists Supply, Corina Miller of The Botaniste: Floral and Interior Design, and Gardeners on the Green, Longmeadow.
MassMutual is the Premier Sponsor of the Springfield Museums. For