Art in Bloom: Spring Returns to the MFA

A look inside the Museum of Fine Art’s Art in Bloom Festival and its warm welcome to the spring season.

by Sydnie Smith

Spring in Boston is a cherished feat. As the city awakens from a drowsy winter, Bostonians begin to emerge from their homes with the excitement of better weather, fewer layers, and outdoor living. Despite new forms of life taking hold, Boston weather seems to follow its own meteorological calendar and is less anxious to leave the clouds and cold behind. Luckily, the city makes up for its unpredictable weather patterns with a slew of indoor activities that provide a first glimpse into brighter days ahead. Nothing is more symbolic of spring transformations than the Museum of Fine Arts’ “Art in Bloom” festival.

This spring, the Art in Bloom festival returned to the MFA from April 28 to April 30 for its 47th debut. The annual event has brought a breath of fresh air into Boston since 1976 and recommenced last year following a three-year hiatus during the pandemic. This year’s celebration incorporated the floral masterpieces of 45 designers and gardening clubs across New England, whose creations complemented pieces of contemporary and historic artwork across existing MFA exhibits and greeted wide-eyed viewers eager to embrace the new season.

Visitors had the opportunity to stroll through galleries and admire the brilliant hues of modern floral design while absorbing the never-ending beauty of endless paintings, sculptures and 500,000 other pieces of art from the museum’s collections. Additionally, seasoned designers and curious curators alike attended special master classes, demonstrations, and lecture series on all-things floral design. Attendees could also bring the art home and put their potting skills to practice with self-design floral kits and colorful planters, the perfect way to liven up any space or windowsill regardless of the weather unfolding outside.

Art in Bloom is more than a one-weekend event: it’s a sign that the spirit of spring has returned with passion. Bringing together regional artists, community volunteers, and visitors within and outside of Boston, Art in Bloom puts the city’s vibrancy and creativity on full display. With so many mediums of human creativity blooming in one space, the festival is a genuine testament to local life forms waiting to burst from their winter dormancy. Whether or not winter coats find their home in storage bins and flowers descend from the Common, spring in Boston has already started at the MFA.