9 Lemontree Court

FOUR-DAY FLOWER FEST RETURNS

The Pensacola Museum of Art brings home this Southern tradition and raises the floral-art form to new heights with its second Art in Bloom event. The four-day floral extravaganza includes an open-air flower market, a floral-art exhibit and world-renowned floral designer Rene van Rems, who will lead lectures and hands-on workshops.

"It's a great community event," says Art in Bloom co-chair Vicky Wonders. "Last year, I was quite blown away by the talent in the community. We got a lot of feedback from people saying they wished we would do this every weekend."

"The whole event is pretty cool," says PMA board member David Bear. "We're a visual arts museum, and you don't really think of floral designs as part of ‘the arts.' But we're incorporating the two to show the community that the museum has a diverse and broad range. We're not just a stuffy art museum; we're fun too."

ART MEETS NATURE

The cornerstones of Art in Bloom are floral designs inspired by the current exhibits at the Pensacola Museum of Art. Professional floral designers select pieces from the "Janet Fish: Light and Transparent Space" and "Tradition/Innovation: American Masterpieces of Southern Craft & Traditional Art" exhibits.

The designers then create interpretative floral arrangements inspired by their choices. These special creations are displayed alongside the original works all weekend at the PMA.

"Like last year, we have professional designers as well as a few amateurs contributing," says Bear. "Also, Jim Benny, an art teacher from Creative Learning Academy, is bringing an art class down to create an arrangement based on one of the pieces. They don't all necessarily look exactly like the paintings. They interpret and create based on whatever the piece makes them feel."

These interpretative floral arrangements are the centerpiece of Thursday evening's Gala opening. The Gala is the first opportunity for the public to see the special floral arrangements in the museum, and provides a relaxed, party atmosphere where people can meet the designers.

"People can also meet Rene van Rems here in more of a relaxed atmosphere as opposed to a classroom setting," says Wonders. "We have Jackson's Steakhouse, Big Sexy Food, The Fish House, Nouveau Pastries, Culinary Productions and Classic City Catering providing food for the event."

THE FLORAL AUTHORITY

Rene van Rems is the "world-renowned ambassador of the floral industry." He's originally from Amsterdam but has resided in San Diego for the past 20 years. He has led various design shows, workshops and seminars all around the world, including Canada, Europe, Asia and the US. He's also had his work covered on HGTV numerous times.  

"Last year we had Nico DeSwert, and he was quite a character," says Wonders. "I hear that Rene is even more vibrant, outgoing, entertaining and engaging than Nico was, so we're really looking forward to it."

Rene will share his expertise with the public in a series of lectures and hands-on classes. The lectures will center on the theme of "European Floral Interiors," and will feature floral arrangements created by Rene that accompany furniture vignettes based on Spanish, French and Italian designs.

"You can buy a ticket and make a whole day of it," says Wonders. "You'll be able to walk over to Jackson's for a nice lunch after the lecture. Then you can go right into the hands-on workshop. He'll teach you how to put floral arrangements together and how to make them last longer. You'll be able to physically assemble your own arrangement and take it home."

FLOWER MARKET

Art in Bloom also features a large open-air flower market outside of the PMA throughout the event that is free and open to the public. People can purchase a wide range of flowers, plants, shrubs and other garden accessories.

"We'll have people there to help you put together bouquets if you want, or you can put together your own," Wonders says. "It's a beautiful market, and it will be covered in a tent so we can have it rain or shine. It will be open during the Gala as well."

After the success of the initial Art in Bloom last year, the organizers are looking forward to satisfying the needs of Pensacola flower-fanatics once again. Those impressed with last year's event can expect the same level of quality this time around.

"We're trying to keep it pretty much the same," says Bear. "It worked really well last year, so we're trying not to change it too much."

"We had a few members attend Art in Bloom events in New Orleans and San Francisco, and they thought ours was on an equal par with theirs, if not better," adds Wonders. "That's a big compliment."