AWAKEN THE SENSES, WELCOME SPRING AT MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM’S ANNUAL “Art in Bloom”

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AWAKEN THE SENSES, WELCOME SPRING AT MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM’S ANNUAL “Art in Bloom”

The popular floral spectacle, marketplace and fashion show returns March 17-20

Milwaukee, Wis. – March 4, 2016 – One of Milwaukee’s signature spring events, Art in Bloom, returns to the Milwaukee Art Museum March 17-20 for its annual weekend of fun, flowers and fashion. Presented by PNC Bank, this celebration of art through flowers offers visitors a chance to revel in the magnificent colors and scents of spring through more than 40 art-inspired floral installations throughout the Museum. Art in Bloom also includes workshops, lectures, crafts, a fashion show and an artisan marketplace.

The floral displays are created by leading regional experts in gardening and floral and landscape design. This year, the designs will be influenced and inspired by the Museum’s newly reopened Collection Galleries.

“It’s always amazing to see how our designers are able to bring pieces to life through Art in Bloom,” says Dan Keegan, Director, Milwaukee Art Museum. “Spring is a time of renewal and this year has special significance with our new Collection Galleries setting the stage for this seasonal community celebration.”

Beauty in Bloom, the weekend’s innovative floral fashion show, will also return Saturday, March 19. This one-night-only ticketed event is a highlight of the season, with hors d’oeuvres, beverages and music. But the real highlights, set against the stunning backdrop of Windhover Hall, are the awe-inspiring gowns and accessories created entirely from flowers and foliage that need to be seen to be believed.

Art in Bloom also features:

– Daily presentaions on a wide range of interests, including science, botanicals, sustainability and food

– Fun hands-on activities for all ages, including a Kohl’s Art Generation Studio craft for kids and Wine & Canvas painting sessions for adults

– A Marketplace filled with flowers, clothing, purses, jewelry, beauty products and garden accessories, featuring local vendors and artisans.

Programs are aimed at a wide range of interests. Art in Bloom is not just for gardeners, but foodies, brides and those looking for a new experience. Program highlights:

Wedding Floral – with designer Bjorn Chinander- Saturday, Mar. 19, 11 a.m. The latest trends in wedding flowers, colors and themes.

Beauty from Blight: The Flower House Detroit– with Lisa Waud and Heather Saunders- Sunday, Mar. 20, 1 p.m.  Achance to learn about Flower House, an exhibition of American-grown flowers and plants held in an abandoned Detroit house that captured international attention in 2015.

Food Demonstration– with Milwaukee Art Museum chef Jason Gorman- Sunday Mar 20, 3 p.m.  Gorman demonstrates and prepares his amazing gnocchi pomodoro.

“Art in Bloom is a shining example of our city’s vibrant and alluring arts scene,” said Chris Goller, PNC regional president for Wisconsin. “As a supporter of the show and partner in the recent renovation of the new Collection Galleries, we look forward to bringing these rich experiences to visitors of all ages.”

Art in Bloom runs March 17-20. Hours are Thursday/Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets to Art in Bloom and related events can be purchased online at www.mam.org/bloom.

Additional March events

As a reminder, the Milwaukee Art Museum is now open late Friday evenings until 8 p.m. (no longer on Thursdays). A Friday evening visit to the Museum is the perfect way to kick of a spring weekend by taking in the feature exhibition Nature and the American Vision, viewing the new Collection Galleries or winding down the week with a drink in the Museum’s new wine bar.

In addition to Art in Bloom, the Milwaukee Art Museum has a full calendar of March events for the whole family to enjoy. On March 13, Kohl’s Art Generation Family Sundays’ theme will be “Back to Nature” to highlight the feature exhibition Nature and the American Vision: The Hudson River School. Visitors can “hike” through the exhibition, tell stories around a “campfire,” paint a landscape from the windows of the Museum and more. An Easter Brunch on March 27 in Windhover Hall offers seatings at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and includes a visit from the Easter Bunny. Menu and pricing details for the Easter Brunch can be found at www.mam.org.

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