MAM: The Flowering- Art in Bloom 2016 Brings Together Fine Art, Floral Displays, & Special Events

MONTCLAIR, N.J. - April 22, 2016 - PRLog -- Art in Bloom, a signature celebration of the Montclair Art Museum (MAM), is a biennial festival of floral design. The 2016 rendition, titled MAM: The Flowering, will present 32 enchanting floral interpretations of works of art currently on view in MAM's permanent collection and special exhibitions. This not-to-be-missed exhibition will be open to the public May 11-15, 2016. It is accompanied by a selection of special events, including a luncheon and lecture Fashion, Flowers & Flirtation May 12, gala Flower Ball May 14, and after party Midnight in the Garden May 14.

MAM: The Flowering special events are chaired by Deborah Hirsch and Betty Murphy and floral design is chaired by Cynthia Corhan-Aitken. The festival will celebrate Gretchen Prater, artist, patron, and mentor; and Bank of America, philanthropic corporate leader in arts and culture. Funds raised benefit the Museum's exhibitions and education programs.

Visit montclairartmuseum.org/mamtheflowering for full details and follow the excitement on social media with #MAMtheFlowering.

MAM: The Flowering-Art in Bloom 2016 Exhibition

MAM: The Flowering will be a remarkable collaboration of art and floral arrangements inspired by the paintings, sculpture, and photography from the permanent collection of the Museum and the special exhibition, American Visions: 1870-1940, Works from the Bank of America Collection. More than 30 floral designers from the tristate region will contribute to the interpretations. The unique gallery experience will be open to the public May 11-15. The exhibition is free for members and children under 12, $12 regular nonmember adult admission, and $10 for students and seniors with ID.

Featured floral designers include Barbara Baletti, Diane Behlen, Janice Benton, Brenda Bingham, Eva Brandstotter-Reilly, Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Christine Cowles, Anna Coy, Joan Crowther, Karen Cubero, Carol English, Firth Fabend, Pat Farrelly, Pat French, Kate Khachaturian, Patricia Kettenring, Laura Kiesewetter, Mary Ann Kilpatrick, Arnold Korotkin, Karen Kratina, Laurie Kroll, Devinder Lehmann, Frances Pelzman Liscio, Tim Mannion, Mary McGeown, Elisabeth Meyer, Cathy Miller, Deborah Moran, Peggy Olivi, Roberto Pagan, Ruth Paul, Sharon Petrucelli, Gretchen Prater, Michele Quinn, Celia Radek, Marisabel Raymond, Joan Reynolds, Lillian Rockwood, Yana Rodin Tracy, Sarah Stransky, Tessie Thomas, Michele Tomasik, Patricia Toomey, Franca Tutela, and Karen Worster.

Two restaurant partners are offering special discounts to MAM visitors May 11-15! Present your MAM admission button for 15% off (except seafood) Toast Montclair and 10% off Belgiovine's Italian Deli.

MAM: The Flowering-Art in Bloom 2016 Special Events

The luscious luncheon Fashion, Flowers & Flirtation will take place on May 12, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Featured guest speakers Melissa Garcia, celebrity stylist and on-air fashion correspondent, and Charcy Evers, trend analyst and fashion expert, will discuss floral inspiration in fashion, fragrance, and art and also emcee an exciting fashion show by Bloomingdale's, The Mall at Short Hills. The indulgent day will include an intimate private viewing of the floral design exhibition and a raffle spectacular. Fashion, Flowers & Flirtation is chaired by Sandra Carter and Ann Schaffer. Tickets start at $200. In tandem with the luncheon, MAM also invites you to donate "career appropriate" shoes and costume jewelry to Career Closet in Livingston. Bring donations in a clear plastic bag to MAM's Nathaniel C. Harris Jr. Entrance, May 9-11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. or to the Luncheon.

The centerpiece of MAM: The Flowering and the Museum's largest fundraiser of the year, the Flower Ball on May 14, will be an evening of admiration and adornment with dinner and entertainment. Beginning at 6 p.m., the black tie occasion will also feature a private viewing of the floral design exhibition, an exciting silent auction, and a live auction presented by Mariana Gantus Wall. Expect to be starstruck by a guest appearance by an international opera star from The Richard Tucker Music Foundation. Flower Ball is chaired by Meredith Bergmann and tickets start at $500.

At 9:30 p.m., the unforgettable after party Midnight in the Garden takes over to continue the celebration until 1 a.m. Go from blossoms to bourbons and crocuses to cigars with bourbon tasting by Black Dirt Distillery and cigar rolling by Fumé. Enjoy savories and sweets and taste spirits by renowned mixologists Derrick Turner and Darnell Holguin. Dance the night away with beats by DJ Gabriel Levy and capture all the memories with photobooth fun! The after dark soirée is chaired by Cleo Davis-Urman and Vanessa Yurkevich. Tickets are $100; all Flower Ball tickets include entry to the Midnight in the Garden after party.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit montclairartmuseum.org/mamtheflowering or contact Christine Walia, Assistant Director, Special Events at 973-259-5143 or cwalia@montclairartmuseum.org.

MAM: The Flowering-Art in Bloom 2016 Schedule

Wednesday, May 11

Galleries open to the public 12-5 p.m.

Thursday, May 12

Fashion, Flowers & Flirtation, Lecture & Luncheon - 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Galleries open to the public 2-5 p.m.

Friday, May 13

Galleries open to the public 12-5 p.m.

Saturday, May 14

Galleries open to the public 12-4 p.m.

Flower Ball, Gala - 6 p.m.

Midnight in the Garden, After Party - 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 15

Galleries open to the public 12-5 p.m.