Fun, floral and fantastic — after all of these years, Art in Bloom still delivers. Presented by First Horizon Bank, this five-day annual event (March 26-30) draws on the city’s best and brightest talents to transform the interior (and sometimes the front of the museum) into a one-of-a-kind mise en scène.
The theme, “Les Jardins de la Nouvelle-Orléans,” took inspiration from the elegant gardens and French history of the city, with garden clubs, floral designers, decorators, interior designers, landscape architects, creatives of New Orleans and beyond answering the call to create settings that complemented the museum’s art. Ikebana practitioners graced the third floor of the museum with their thoughtful and beautiful works, and young artists from area schools got into the creative mode as well.
What kicked this all off? The Patron and Preview party on March 26, at which guests got a first look at the displays while enjoying food from Arnaud’s, Cafe Degas, Galatoire’s, Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant, Lea’s Catering, among others, and a specialty cocktail by Cure.
The silent auction offered a number of items and was highlighted by the painting “Preparing for a Party (Making Arrangements)” by Saskia Ozols, which also graced the invitation and program.
The next day was a lecture with interior stylist and design writer Mieke ten Have and the mother-daughter duo of Susan Crater and Eliza Crater Harris of Sister Parish Design. Lunch followed, as did a fashion show featuring fashions from Là Fuori, sponsored by SOSUSU.
Event co-chairs were Charlotte Meade and Keith Porteous Meade; the NOMA Volunteer Committee Chair was Taylor Pospisil and Garden Study Club of New Orleans President was Courtney Le Clerq.
Fun Fact: The event raises funds for NOMA’s education initiatives and exhibitions, as well as the Garden Study Club of New Orleans community grants program.
