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By Maggie Peters | Photos courtesy of Saint Louis Art Museum

As spring blooms in St. Louis, the annual celebration of flowers returns to the Saint Louis Art Museum Art in Bloom, a 3-day long festival the first weekend in March, features local florists and their creations, each designed in the image of works throughout the museum in a unique and vibrant showcase.

“It’s a really wonderful celebration of our local floral design community,” says Amanda Thompson Rundahl, director of learning and engagement. “We love to feature area florists who are so talented and innovative. It’s a beautiful expression of their creativity, drawing in inspiration and creating a new artistic impression.”

This will be the first in-person Art in Bloom since 2020, and the museum is expanding its ways for you to enjoy the celebration.

“In addition to the 30 fresh floral arrangements throughout the building, there will be a preview party on Thursday, March 2, the night the designs go up and are at their freshest,” Rundahl says. “Friday, Saturday and Sunday we’ll have flower happy hour with food and music in a beautiful environment. Friday evening we’ll have a featured speaker,

Gabriela Salazar – a floral designer and grower located outside of Mexico City –who will give a talk and live floral arranging demonstration ”

On Saturday evening, the museum will reopen for a new event called Flowers After Hours – an exclusive, 21 and up date-night experience. Tickets include live music, cocktails and more. Sunday, the final day of the festival, is a family-focused day. Family flowers from noon to 4 p.m. features a scavenger hunt and art experiences focused on nature for families with kids.

Attendees can vote for their favorite art pieces online during the people’s choice awards, with winners announced on Monday. A staff choice award will also take place, along with a judged competition.

The 30 pieces of art are chosen by the museum in the fall, ranging broadly in materials and time period and representing the museum as a whole. Florists then draw their selection randomly, resulting in fascinating – and sometimes humorous – interpretations

“The florists come back every morning over the weekend to refresh their arrangements,” Rundahl adds. “So whatever day you come, the flowers are fresh and beautiful – even on Sunday. The museum smells like a garden all weekend. It’s fun to have that unique experience.”

Rundahl concludes that the museum is excited to bring back this event in-person for the first time in two years and invites people to experience the multi-sensory experience.

“The museum feels very alive and activated,” she says. “It will be great to have this back; I know it’s been missed ”

Enjoy Art in Bloom at the Saint Louis Art Museum March 3 through 5.

314-721-0072, slam.org