Living museum: Classes, exhibits highlight Art in Bloom flower fest

Art in Bloom opens at the North Carolina Museum of Art this week for four days of exhibits, hands-on classes and workshops, flower and gardening tutorials, art celebrations and more.

Posted 11:21 a.m. Mar 21, 2018 — Updated 3:16 p.m. Jul 13, 2018

Jessica Patrick

, WRAL.com editor

RALEIGH, N.C. — Art in Bloom opens at the North Carolina Museum of Art this week for four days of exhibits, hands-on classes and workshops, flower and gardening tutorials, art celebrations and more.

During Art in Bloom, all guests of the NCMA can pay $18 ($13 for museum members) to tour more than 50 floral masterpieces created by artists who base their colorful, living works on inspiration from the museum's exhibits. The museum and exhibit will be open March 22-25, with hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

As part of the festival, the NCMA is hosting dozens of other flower-centered events, ranging from meditation, guest speakers, floral design how-tos, bonsai and terrarium classes and more. You can purchase tickets and view more information on dates and times for these events online. Here's the base schedule:

Thursday

Modern Succulent Terrarium Workshop - Megan George of the Zen Succulent will show how to create a terrarium featuring North Carolina–grown plants, covering plant selection, building techniques, choosing a container, and tips for maintenance and display. Course fee is $58 for members, $65 for non-members.

Flowers! Flowers! Flowers! - Steve Taras of the Watered Garden is known as the premier floral designer for the NCMA, but he’s also an expert at gracious centerpieces that fit in any home. In this class, he shares tips for making flowers a part of everyday life. Course fee is $27 for members, $30 for non-members.

Friday

Flower Care 101 Workshop - Learn answers to questions like "which flowers last longest?" and "should I use flower food?" from Terry Godfrey, lead instructor of floral design at Anne Arundel Community College. Course fee is $58 for members, $65 for non-members.

Guests to the museum's Still Life members opening were invited to make their own still-life inspired floral arrangements, courtesy of the staff of the Watered Garden.

Influenced by the East: Elements of Sogetsu Ikebana - Meet Arthur Williams, who uses elements of Japanese design to create extraordinary designs of organized chaos using straight lines, bold colors and organic textures. Some lucky participants will get to take his creations home. Course fee is $27 for members, $30 for non-members.

Soft floral hues reflect its inspirational painting

Flower Meditation - After a busy week of doing, experience the serenity of being. Take a walk through nature while sitting still amid the flowers in this mindful guided meditation. Fee is $36 for members, $40 for non-members.

Saturday

Body Botanicals Master Class - Special guest speaker Arthur Williams is known for his floral headdresses and the use of natural tension in his work. Students in his master class will work on live models, and their work will be showcased at the Pinks and Inks party Saturday evening. Admission to Pinks and Inks and all materials included. Fee is $225 for members, $250 for non-members.

Flower fashion show highlights Art in Bloom

Pinks and Inks Party - Live models “tattooed” in flowers in the style of guest speaker Arthur Williams roam the galleries during an evening version of Art in Bloom. Tickets, $40 for members and $45 for non-members, include admission to Art in Bloom, an open bar, and a rose to take home.

Art in Bloom Scavenger Hunt - Pick up a family-friendly scavenger hunt card at the Information Desk in NCMA's West Building and follow the clues to find fragrant flowers and artful treasures in the galleries.

Sunday

Art in Bloom Scavenger Hunt - Pick up a family-friendly scavenger hunt card at the Information Desk in the West Building and follow the clues to find fragrant flowers and artful treasures in the galleries. Ticket included in Art in Bloom admssion.

Designers Challenge: Seeing Red - Learn about the color red in art, its meaning, and how it gets there from Museum conservator Perry Hurt, while two floral designers show how red influences their work. The winning designer of this fast-paced competition will go home with a prize, and a lucky participant will go home with their flowers! Fee is $27 for members and $30 for non-members.

Part of the Bonsai exhibit, also a part of the Art in Bloom show

Bonsai for Beginners Workshop - Bonsai expert Harold Johnson and members of the Triangle Bonsai Society return to teach a popular class. Participants create bonsai under their guidance. All supplies are included. Course fee is $58 for members and $65 for nonmembers.

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