The Springfield Museums welcomes spring with the 12th Annual Festival of Flowers, on view from Thursday, April 3 to Sunday, April 6. More than 60 floral arrangements will fill the galleries of the art, history, and science museums, making this the largest floral show presented at the Museums to date. Free with Museums admission.
“We are thrilled to welcome so many new and returning florists and garden club members to the galleries of the Springfield Museums,” says Larissa Murray, Director Education. “Their creative work and generous spirit will bring joy and rejuvenation to our visitors as we celebrate spring!”
Visitors can enhance their floral experience by attending any of the myriad events that coincide with the festival, including lectures and tours, classes, and hands-on activities.
RELATED PROGRAMMING
Details and registration at SpringfieldMuseums.org/flowers.
Museums á la Carte: Conservation of Rare Plants in New England
Thursday, April 3, 12:15 pm
Presented by Tristram Seidler, Associate Professor of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Curator, UMass Extension’s Herbarium
This lecture introduces the rare plants of our home region. Learn where rare plants are found in New England and what efforts are being made to preserve plant habitats and conserve individual species. Presented in-person and online. Members free; nonmembers $4.
Festival of Flowers After Hours
Thursday, April 3, 5–8 pm
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails while touring the interpretive floral arrangements in all four museums. Experience floral fashion, make your own wearable floral accessory, celebrate Vincent van Gogh’s artwork, and get creative with floral-inspired art activities. Live music, complimentary food, and cash bar. Catered by NOSH. Reservations suggested. Members $15; nonmembers $25.
Festival of Flowers After Hours is sponsored by Westfield Bank.
Festival of Flowers: The Flower Lab
April 4–6, 10:30 am–4 pm
Hands-on learning with real plants! Pull-apart dissections, a please touch table, and floral scent identification. Free with museum admission.
Festival of Flowers: Docent Tours
April 4–6, 11:15 am–4 pm
Join experienced docents as they discuss the interpretive floral arrangements and the museum objects that served as inspiration. Meet in the lobby of each museum. Free with museum admission.
11:15 am D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts
12:15 pm Springfield Science Museum
1:15 pm GWV Smith Art Museum
2:15 pm Wood Museum of Springfield History
3:15 pm D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts
Festival of Flowers Family Day
Saturday, April 5, 10 am–5 pm
Tour the galleries to view extraordinary floral designs inspired by objects in the Museums, then explore the world of flowers through hands-on activities. Free with museum admission.
Museum School Class: Floral Art in Pastels
Friday, April 4, 10 am–3 pm
Working from live flower arrangements in the gallery, capture still life in pastels with Lisa Regopoulos. For all levels. Please bring lunch. Registration required. Members $85; nonmembers $100.
Museum School Class: Gel Plate Printmaking
Friday, April 4, 1–4 pm
Explore the world of printmaking with Amanda Barrow and create seven one-of-a-kind prints, incorporating the use of real botanicals and leaves. Registration required. Members $85; nonmembers $100.
Museum School Class: Cyanotypes
Saturday, April 5, 10 am–12 pm
An introductory workshop on cyanotypes (blue and white prints made by exposing paper coated with iron salts to light) with Susan Cagan. Learn how to make a conduct a study of exposure times and create a cyanotype direct contact print. Registration required. Members $40; nonmembers $48.
Festival of Flowers is sponsored by Berkshire Bank, Flowers, Flowers!, and M&T Bank; and supported by Durocher Florist and Randall’s Farm & Greenhouse. Floral materials are generously provided by Springfield Florists Supply.
MassMutual is the season supporter of the Springfield Museums.