Art in Bloom is a 5-day event beginning with a grand preview party that continues with a series of lectures, demonstrations, luncheons, fashion shows and the flora, fauna and fanciful installations of individual and group talents of garden clubs, professionals and even students that decorate seemingly every inch of the New Orleans Museum of Art.
The theme was simply “Merci Bien: A Bouquet of Thanks.” For over 20 years, this show, presented by NOMA and the Garden Study Club of New Orleans, has transported people florally from around the world; this year returned to the swamps of Louisiana with flowers, palms and cattails to accompany George Rodrigue’s retrospective – from moss-covered bayou scenes to famed Blue Dogs!
Co-chaired by Dana Hansel and Anne Redd, the party got off to a great start outside the museum with displays and music. In the silent auction rooms, works by artists such as Tim Trapolin, George Dunbar and many new talents had been curried by Elaine Gleason and Sandra Wilson. Of course there was a George Rodrigue, quite publicly bid for in the Great Hall, which raised $40,000 and the event itself raised $325,000 gross.
Suzanne Rusovich, Caroline Calhoun, Elinor Petagna and Susan Wormser
Elly Lane, Tommy Westervelt and Karen Gunlach
Mimi Schlesinger, Sarah Young and Catherine Favrot
Steve and co-chair Dana Hansel, John Bullard and co-chair Anne and Edmund Redd