Art by Steve McGovney; floral design by Ann Baxter (Photo by Ray Mata/Blue Ridge Pictures)
10th Art in Bloom at The Black Mountain Center for the Arts
By Jessica Klarp
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts celebrates the tenth anniversary of Art in Bloom, a flower-filled annual event June 9–11. It all begins each year in early May with artwork selected from regional galleries specifically for Art in Bloom. These works are on display in the Upper Gallery through June 8. Once the art is hung, each of 20 floral designers is matched with one of the pieces.
The event gains momentum on the morning of June 9 when the floral designers come to create their flower arrangements, each capturing what they see as the essence of the artwork they are interpreting, resulting in a magnificent display. Once the floral arrangements are complete, the Arts Center hosts the Gala Preview Party at 6 P.M. on June 9 to celebrate the talented floral designers and their works and to give ticket holders the first glimpse of the arrangements when they are their freshest.
Included in the $50 ticket price is a catered buffet dinner, free wine and beer, and special flavors of Ultimate Ice Cream. This year’s honorary chairs are Judy Fore, Terri Todd, and Sally Robinson, the three women who spearheaded the event ten years ago.
On June 10 and 11, guests are invited to view the gallery filled with floral designs ($5), and explore Black Mountain with a Cottage Garden Tour (10 A.M. to 4 P.M., $20). Each garden will have plein air painters working to capture the garden’s beauty on canvas. Beginning June 14, the plein air art works replace the floral designs in the gallery and are on display through July 8.
The Arts Center is located at 225 W. State Street. The Upper Gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. For more information call 828.669.0930 or visit blackmountainarts.org.
