BEHIND THE SCENES OF RINGLING IN BLOOM

Maureen Zaremba Curator of Education

From February 23 through February 26, floral creations designed by regional arrangers will provide a unique way to engage with the art in the Museum’s galleries. Ringling in Bloom offers a “fresh” point of view by juxtaposing two art forms. Floral designers look at the Museum’s sculpture and paintings through a different lens than Museum curators and educators and help us to appreciate works that we often don’t pay much attention to, or realize new possibilities in old favorites.

Behind the beauty lies months of planning and preparation by a dedicated team of volunteer designers and Museum staff. This partnership is critical to creating an extraordinary event for our visitors and a safe one for the collection.

The first step in the planning process is to invite designers from garden clubs throughout the region to participate in this unique event. These experienced designers compete in judged competitions on a local, regional, and in some cases, national level. A visit to the Museum galleries provides the inspiration, but a carefully prepared list by Museum staff informs the designers which objects are going out on loan or may be moving to another venue in the months to come. Consideration is also given to the size of the galleries and the placement of the arrangements to ensure a smooth flow of traffic around the arrangements and the artwork.

Designers attend an orientation session to introduce them to some of the challenges of using fresh flowers in the Museum. The Museum’s Registrar has developed a set of guidelines that provides the designers with creative latitude while ensuring the protection of the collection. Also, flowers with heavy pollen on the stamens, such as lilies, represent a problem as the pollen can adhere to the surface of a work of art. Flowers and other live materials are soaked in a bleach solution to kill any pests and all offending stamens are clipped off prior to bringing them into the Museum. Cut fruit and vegetables are not allowed as they are very attractive to insects.

Flowers need water but works of art do not, so Oasis, a kind of floral foam, is used extensively in the arrangements. The Oasis keeps the flowers sufficiently hydrated but does not present the danger of large amounts of water that could be accidentally spilled. Staff monitor the condition of the arrangements over the course of the four day event, following instructions provided by the designers regarding watering requirements and the replacement of faded blossoms.

Set up day for the evening’s Designer Preview is a frenzy of activity beginning at 7:00 am when the first shift of designers arrives to begin work. Thought must be given to creating an area within the Museum where the arrangers can have the freedom to be creatively messy! Each designer is assigned to a staff member who assists with unloading and transporting materials. Museum Preparators step in and assist with moving the arrangements into the galleries. Containers are waxed down on their pedestals for safety and lights adjusted to set off the subtleties of the flowers without being too intense. Then designers and staff run home to be back in time for the opening festivities of Ringling in Bloom

One of the most rewarding outcomes of this event for both Museum staff and visitors is the conversations created by this new fresh look in the galleries. I hope you will be a part of this artful dialogue.

Museum of Art Special Hours

Thursday, February 23, 10:00 am–5:00 pm

Museum of Art Galleries 1–21 closed to public in preparation for special event, Designers Preview. Searing Wing open.

Friday, February 24 10:00 am–8:00 pm

Museum of Art open until 8 pm. Regular admission applies.

Proceeds from Ringling In Bloom events benefit Museum exhibitions, programs and operations.

Ringling In Bloom

FEBRUARY 23–26, 2012

Designer Preview*

Museum of Art Galleries and Loggia

Thursday, February 23

5:30–8:00 pm

Opening night preview in the Museum of Art Galleries and Courtyard with floral designers. $85/$75 for Museum members.

Master Florist Remco van Vliet: Lecture and Demonstration*

The Historic Asolo Theater

Friday, February 24

10:30 am or 2:00 pm

Learn today’s floral trends and techniques from this celebrity floral designer. $50/$40 for Museum members. Includes Museum general admission.

Fashion, Flowers and Food: Lilly Pulitzer®* Museum of Art Courtyard and Loggia

Saturday, February 25

11:30 am–1:30 pm

Preview Lilly’s Spring collection over lunch in the Museum’s Courtyard garden and participate in a silent auction benefitting Museum programs. $120/$100 for Museum members. Includes Museum general admission.

Flower Arranging Workshops

The Johnson-Blalock Education Building

Sunday, February 26

10:30 am–12:30 pm or 2:00 pm–4:00 pm

Enthusiasts at all levels receive hands-on instruction from celebrity floral designer Remco van Vliet. $200 per person. Fee includes flowers, container and mechanics.

*Buy 3 events and receive 20% off: Members $172/Non-Members $204

Special Thanks to our Sponsors

Da Vermeer a Kandinsky: Capolavori dai musei del mondo a Rimini

Castle Sismondo, Rimini, Italy

January 21–June 3, 2012