Signs of Spring at the Springfield Museums Festival of Flowers Returns!

Springfield (MA)—The Springfield Museums present Festival of Flowers: Reflections, April 8-11, 2021. More than 25 floral arrangements will be on view in the galleries of the art museums. Additionally, a lecture, virtual tours, and a several complimentary family activities will be available on the Springfield Museums website.

 

“Flowers have an incredible power,” said Larissa Murray, Director of Education at the Springfield Museums and organizer of this (usually) annual celebration of spring. “We use flowers in celebration and in remembrance, to brighten our homes, and to help pollinators and wildlife in our yards. Flowers provide hope, solace, joy, memories, and wonder,” she said.

 

The Festival of Flowers was cancelled last year as the entire world responded to the coronavirus pandemic. Keeping in mind this difficult year, the Festival of Flowers: Reflections will showcase arrangements that interpret the way people are feeling right now. Participants may choose to create a display of hope and optimism, or a tribute to someone lost. Arrangements could celebrate new scientific advances or express gratitude, or perhaps focus on a favorite color or flower that brings comfort and happiness.

 

“Festival of Flowers will be powerful and filled with emotion, welcoming spring,” said Kay Simpson, President and CEO of the Springfield Museums. “It will also reflect on the past year we have experienced together.”

 

Floral arrangements will be showcased the Springfield Museums art museums: the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum and in the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts.

 

For those unable to visit in person, the Museums Staff have created a virtual tour with photos and participants’ personal statements. Additional resources and family activities will also be available on the Museums’ website.

 

RELATED PROGRAMMING

 

THURSDAY, APRIL 8

Museums a la Carte lecture: Gardens of the Arts and Crafts Movement

Judith B Tankard, Landscape Historian, MA Art History, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University

 

The rich legacy of the Arts and Crafts Movement includes architecture, art, and decorative arts, but it also played an important role in the garden world by defining the garden as a harmonious component of the house. Judith B Tankard will survey the inspirations, characteristics, and development of garden design during the Arts and Crafts era and show how its guiding principles resonant with garden designers today with examples in Britain and the United States.

(FREE)

Presentations will take place via the video conferencing app ZOOM. Please register in advance in order to access the program.

https://springfieldmuseums.org/program/gardens-arts-crafts-movement/

 

MUSEUMS SCHOOL CLASSES

Painting Spectacular Flowers in Watercolor: This is a Zoom class!          

Robert O’Brien AWS NWS; Thursday & Friday, 10 am-4 pm; March 25 & 26 (two classes); $165, Members; $194, nonmembers; Maximum: 10; Zoom. Students will learn basic floral painting techniques, with an emphasis on values and composition. Layering and blending color into soft edges will also be taught. The course will focus on painting from close-up photo references of flowers in an artistic setting with spectacular results. A critique and class discussion will be held at the end of the session. All levels of painting ability are welcome and some drawing experience is recommended. Bring a lunch or dine at the Blake Cafe. Supply list provided.

 

Zentangle Botanical Drawing: This is a hybrid class!

Annette Chittenden; Saturday, 10 am-1 pm; April 10 (one class); $45, Members; $54, nonmembers (all materials provided); Maximum: 8; Zoom & In person. Zentangle is a tool that can increase focus and creativity, relieve stress, inspire new ideas and beautiful creations while allowing you to deliberately shift your thoughts without trying. Absolutely no experience required. Each participant will receive a Zentangle kit.

 

Floral Art in Pastels: This is an in-person class!

Lisa Regopoulos; Friday, 10 am- 3 pm; April 30 (one class); $75, Members; $88, nonmembers; Maximum: 9; GWVS. Working from live flowers, learn how to capture a still life in pastels. Beginning with a demonstration, explore the application, effects, color massing and tonal values, as you complete a drawing from start to finish. For all levels. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Supply list provided.

 

Thank you to our sponsors:

Flowers, Flowers!

Durocher Florist

Randall’s Farm & Greenhouse

Gardeners on the Green of Longmeadow, MA

 

Springfieldmuseums.org, One Admission/Five Museums,

including the one and only Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum

Parking is always FREE

 

About The Springfield Museums

 

THE SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS are located on the Quadrangle at 21 Edwards Street in the heart of downtown Springfield, Massachusetts. The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated consortium of museums includes the Springfield Science Museum, the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, and the Amazing World of Dr. SeussMuseum, the first and only museum dedicated to the beloved children’s book author and Springfield native.