Black Mountain’s Art in Bloom Features Art, Florals and Gardens Throughout June

For the 19th year, the Black Mountain Center for the Arts (BMCA) will hold Art in Bloom, a multi-event extravaganza that raises funds for the Center by celebrating art and nature. Events will be held Thursday, June 19, through Sunday, June 22, with exhibitions beginning Monday, June 2, and running through July 25.

This year’s curated exhibit for Art in Bloom will feature artwork by Asheville’s River Arts District (RAD) artists, among those most heavily impacted professionally by the hurricane. Their works will be complemented by floral interpretations by regional designers. “By highlighting artists from the River Arts District, we’re giving space for their stories, their resilience and their art to be seen and supported,” says BMCA executive director Lori Cozzi. “It’s about showing up for one another through the arts.”

Art in Bloom offers many opportunities for participation and enjoyment. “From fine art and then floral arrangements by artists who interpret those paintings, other plein air artists in the gardens painting during the tour, the reveal of the garden locations at the gala—it’s more than two weeks of events,” says Chas Fitzgerald, head of the garden committee.

Among the events during this celebration of art and artists are the Regional Artists Exhibit, June 2–18 (weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.); Art in Bloom Preview Party, June 19, 5–7 p.m.; Gallery and Floral Exhibition, June 20-21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Garden Tour and Plein Air Artists, June 20-21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Bonus Floral Exhibit Day, June 22, 12–4 p.m.; Art from the Garden Reception, June 27, 5–6:30 p.m.; and Art From the Garden Exhibit, June 27–July 25 (weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

RAD artist Cheryl Keefer feels honored to be participating in Art in Bloom once again. “It’s a unique thrill to see how a floral designer interprets a painting—the way color, form and emotion are translated into a living medium is both creative and deeply moving,” she says. “There’s a conversation happening between the visual art and the floral art, and it often brings out something fresh and unexpected in both.”

Lynn Forbes brings to the event many years of experience in ikebana floral design, an art she developed an appreciation for when visiting the homes of her Japanese students—she taught English as a Second Language in the 1980s—and seeing the beautiful fresh flower arrangements there.

“Each year it is always a joy to participate in the BMCA Art in Bloom, interpreting a wonderful piece of art using beautiful summer flowers and line material from gardens and the mountainsides of our beautiful WNC,” Forbes says. “It is such fun seeing how each ikebana and floral artist interprets their assignments and how each designer uses their creativity in such interesting ways.”

In further celebration of natural beauty, a self-guided tour of area gardens where artists will be painting is part of the festivities. Nate Barton had art exhibited for interpretation last year and this year will be plein air painting during the weekend of June 20-21. “I believe that events like this are important for many reasons,” he says. “First, the BMCA is a vital part of the community and this is their biggest fundraiser for the year. As an artist, every year this event provides a wonderful opportunity for your work to be seen, to meet people who are able to watch you work and to build relationships with the community. Finally, I love to see the artistry of the gardeners as well as the florists.”

Learn more and reserve tickets at BlackMountainArts.org/artinbloom.