Art in Bloom at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts

For four days every year for the past 26 years, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts is transformed from a museum into a botanical garden; the only time all year that the focus is not on art alone. Over 160 floral artists choose art from the Institute's collection and interpret their piece through flower arranging. The result is a feast of color and fragrance and originality.

From a four-thousand-year old Egyptian collar to the 20th Century Abstract Expressionism of Grace Hartigan's "Billboard", and from Africa to the Americas, each era, period, and part of the world is exemplified by orchids, roses, lilies, iris, tulips, wax flowers, and veronica, to name just a few, in addition to curly willow, moss, and even tree roots.

One of the highlights of the show was the floral representation of one of the Institute's best-loved oil paintings, "Lucretia" by Rembrandt (1666), which captures a particularly tragic moment in time. Rather than dishonor her family after being raped, Lucretia takes her own life. Her soft, white gown with a blood stain from her dagger was dramatically represented by white calla and white Asiatic lilies, among others, with a trail of vivid red roses streaming through.

The interpretation of the seemingly buoyant "Ganymede and the Eagle," a sculpture by Bertel Thorvaldsen of Denmark in1817-1829, was stunningly simple. The arrangement of white lilies and other whites accented by curly willow paid homage to the smooth white marble of Ganymede, and the textured feathers of the eagle.

Every year, there seems to be a kind of flower or two that is in abundance, and a color that seems to dominate the show. This year, the deep blue-purple, small-petal delphinium, and protea of all shapes, sizes, and colors were bountiful in a myriad of arrangements. Orange was often seen, and in particular, a variety of orange Maui protea.

The annual event is presented by The Friends of the Institute. Though entrance to the museum is free, the many special events such as the preview party, the luncheon, and lectures by well-respected florists, landscape designers and photographers such as Hitomi Gilliam required an admission fee. Proceeds from the event provide aid to the Friends Children's Fund, which provides engaging and fun art experiences to youth, especially those that might not have them otherwise.

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) was begun with the work of 25 civic-minded Minneapolitans in 1883. Just 32 years later, the stately, neoclassical museum was ready for visitors. Since then both the building and the collection have expanded to include two new wings, and 80,000 objects. Located one mile from downtown, the Institute is easily located at 2400 Third Ave South in the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis. Call the MIA toll-free at (888) MIA ARTS.