Look at just about any art exhibit and odds are you’ll find a painting with flowers – either as the star or an accent.
Roses, lilies, orchids; if it’s a flower, someone has painted it. But how often do you see flowers that represent works of art? We’re not too sure about around the world, but in Concord, at least, it happens every year with the annual Art and Bloom show at McGowan Fine Art. And you have the Concord Garden Club to thank for that.
“A highlight to the Concord Garden Club season is to host Art and Bloom,” said club president Judith Maloy
Now in it’s 13th year, Art and Bloom returns Jan. 22, but we advise you not to wait long because it only runs through some time on the 24th. Why only three days? Well, flowers don’t last too long so it’s just the way it goes.
In all, 16 pieces of work chosen by McGowan Gallery Director Sarah Chaffee will be interpreted by members of the Concord Garden Club. The collection of work has been on display since the first week of January, and the designers have been wearing out a path to the gallery to select and decide how best to represent it.
“I try to have a broad range of work so they can have fun interpreting the work,” Chaffee said.
In the days and weeks leading up to the three-day show, the designers carefully plan out the perfect flowers and plant material, but they can’t get too attached to a design because it can change with very little time to adjust.
“It gets down to the wire,” Maloy said. “Sometimes it goes as you envisioned and sometimes not.”
Since they’re at the mercy of what flowers are available in the day or two leading up to the show, it may be the morning of the opening when the design has to completely change. Insert Macaulay Culkin’s face from Home Alone.
“Really the fun in it is to see a person’s different take on the art,” said Judy Mathews, chair for the event. “It’s amazing to see what they come up with.”
The show kicks off with a reception on Jan. 22, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and caps off a busy day of getting the designs ready to show off. The reception features food and wine and is open to the public. Local businesses and inpiduals, including Concord’s mayor Jim Bouley, have sponsored the show, which is one of the biggest fundraisers for the garden club. There will be raffles with tickets available for $10 and winners can take home prizes like gift cards and a weekend in Nantucket.
“It’s a full house, which is wonderful. It’s what we aim for,” Mathews said.
Some of the designers are professionals, while others are new to the whole thing, which is why some of the more veteran members have teamed with a newbie to create a design.
“It’s a nice way to engage our new members,” Maloy said. “We’re really excited to see their work.”
As the show goes on, some flowers are replaced with a fresher versions to keep the arrangements looking as lovely as possible – like our Monitor column picture.
