Art and Flowers Come Together to Celebrate Spring at Art in Bloom

– Milwaukee Art Museum’s popular four-day event returns April 12-15 with floral art, a fashion show and family activities –

Milwaukee, Wis. – March 20, 2018 – Milwaukeeans will celebrate the return of spring at Art in Bloom, one of the Milwaukee Art Museum’s most popular events, from Thursday, April 12 through Sunday, April 15. Presented by Educators Credit Union, this annual event offers visitors the chance to view and take in the scents of 40 art-inspired floral installations on display throughout the Museum. Each arrangement is inspired by a work from the Museum’s collection and created by leading regional experts in gardening, as well as floral and landscape design.

“The stunning colors inspired by our collection of art combined with the amazing work of our talented local floral designers, make Art in Bloom a must-see event,” said Krista Renfrew, Director of Special Events at the Museum. “This event has something for everyone and visitors will leave feeling inspired for spring.”

Art in Bloom will also feature of a variety of additional activities and programs including gardening seminars, family activities and a marketplace with local vendors and artisans offering flowers, clothing, jewelry and garden accessories. Back by popular demand is the late-afternoon treat, high tea.

At the floral fashion show Beauty in Bloom, models will walk down the runway wearing gowns and accessories created out of flowers. This ticketed event held on April 14 inside Windhover Hall will include hors d’oeuvres, valet parking and a cash bar.

Also on April 14, audiences will watch as three professional florists compete for the title of Iron Designer 2018 at the Iron Design Competition, presented by the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Garden Club. In this timed event, participants receive the same materials and guidelines, but are challenged to incorporate their own inspiration and talents into their displays.

“We’re excited to once again bring an activity-filled weekend to visitors of the Milwaukee Art Museum,” said Shannon Huot, Educators Credit Union Senior Vice President of Marketing. “Art in Bloom is such a beautiful, unique and refreshing way to help usher in the spring season to our area.”

In previous years, more than 10,000 guests have visited the Museum during the event.

Art in Bloom is presented by Educators Credit Union, with additional support from S.J. Janis Company, Milaeger’s, and media partner M Magazine.

Event Information

Dates:
Thursday, April 12: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Friday, April 13: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday, April 14: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday, April 15: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Daily Admission: $5 for Members; $20 for adults ($17 advance tickets); $18 for seniors and students; Free for children 12 and under

Special Membership Offer: Visitors receive free admission for two when joining or renewing their Museum membership at the door—and a $10 gift card to Milaeger’s if they join or renew at the Family/Dual level or above. Offer only valid on-site April 12–15, 2018

Website:  mam.org/bloom

Programs

High Tea
Thursday, April 12, 4 p.m.; Friday, April 13, 4 p.m.; Sunday, April 14, 4 p.m.
Northwestern Mutual Room
An afternoon tea complete with fresh scones, sandwiches and pastries (requires reservation, additional cost)

Farm-to-Table Dinner
Thursday, April 12, 6-8 p.m., Cafe Calatrava
Enjoy the pleasures of eating locally, during this four-course dinner showcasing the best of Midwest agriculture. Many of the vegetables, herbs, meats and fruits used to create this special experience will be presented by their farmers and producers (requires reservation, additional cost).

Pot de Fleurs Container Planting Workshop
Friday, April 13, 11:30 a.m., Northwestern Mutual Room
Learn to plant “floral fashion,” in this hands-on workshop with Heidi Hornung of Shady Lane Greenhouses. Learn to mix colors and textures with a European flair for container plantings that wow  (requires reservation, additional cost).

Sculpture in Your Garden
Friday, April 13, 1 p.m., Lubar Auditorium
Landscape architect Margarete Harvey will discuss what to consider when buying and placing art in the natural environment (free with admission).

Iron Design Competition
Saturday, April 14, 11 a.m., Lubar Auditorium
Professional florists battle for the title of Iron Designer 2018 in this timed competition. Florists will receive the same material and guidelines, but must make an original creation (free with event admission).

Beautiful Gardens and Healthy Environment, Yes!
Saturday, April 14, 3 p.m., Lubar Auditorium
Learn how to create and maintain a flowerbed that is both beautiful and great for the environment. Native plants, improved cultivars and planting diversity will keep your garden beautiful throughout the season, and may even provide a few tasty treats along the way  (requires reservation, additional cost).

Beauty in Bloom Floral Fashion Show
Saturday, April 14, 7 p.m., Windhover Hall
Parisian couture–inspired gowns and accessories created entirely out of blooms by local artisans  (ticketed, additional cost).

Art in Bloom Florists and Their Inspiration
Sunday, April 15, 11 a.m., Lubar Auditorium
Art in Bloom floral installation participants discuss the creative and installation process for this year’s event (free with event admission).

Create Your Own Art in Bloom Floral Installation
Sunday, April 15, 1 p.m., Northwestern Mutual Room
Panel discussion at 11 a.m. followed by the opportunity to create a floral masterpiece of your own for home, with freelance designer Pam Bogardt (requires reservation, additional cost).

Kohl’s Art Generation Open Studio
Thursday, April 12 – Sunday, April 15.
During Art in Bloom, visitors to the Kohl’s Art Generation Studio will have the opportunity to create their own photo-collage flower arrangements. Inspired by the exhibition, The Open Road: Photography and the American Road Trip, children will “pick” flowers from the photo-garden, filled with blooms from across the American landscape. Families can cut, collage and take home their own bouquets.  The Kohl’s Art Generation Studio closes one hour before the Museum.

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