Signs of Spring at the Springfield Museums
Springfield (MA)—The Springfield Museums present Festival of Flowers April 7-10, free with museum admission. More than forty displays will grace four museums as floral design and botanical whimsy return to the Springfield Museums during the 9th annual Festival of Flowers. Thoughtful interpretations will bring new perspectives to the objects and exhibits of the art, history, and science museums.
“This will be a wonderful time to embrace the vibrant color and captivating fragrance of fresh flowers!” said Larissa Murray, Director of Education at the Springfield Museums and organizer of this beloved annual event. “We are all so ready to welcome spring.”
“Festival of Flowers is a hallmark event for our Museums year,” said Kay Simpson, President and CEO of the Springfield Museums. “The inventiveness and creativity of the arrangements is so impressive. This event is truly defined by joy and admiration. We are so grateful to all who participate.”
To compound the joy, the New England Nevilles will be performing during an evening event, April 7th, as part of the Festival of Flowers festivities. The evening includes activities, refreshments, and plenty of time to admire the flowers after hours. Related programing throughout the festival, including a Family Day, is listed below.
MUSEUMS A LA CARTE LECTURE: FAIRYTALE GARDENS
Presented by Elisabeth Zander
April 7 @ 12:15 pm–1:30 pm
Cost: $4; Cost for Members: FREE
This lecture will track Zander’s experiences traveling to the 3rd Czech International Rock Garden Conference in Pruhonice in 2017 and the influence the expedition had on her own gardening. On the way to the conference Zander stopped by public and private Dutch gardens, including The Utrecht Botanic Garden, one of the oldest in the Netherlands, in addition to its six other themed gardens. These visits profoundly influenced Zander’s New England garden in Goshen CT, providing inspiration with a touch of magic.
Thursday, April 7, rain date Friday, April 8
5-7 pm; $10 members, $20 nonmembers
Tour the arrangements throughout the museums and stop by the outdoor bar and appetizer stations. Enjoy live music with the New England Nevilles in celebration of the Horn Man: The Life and Musical Legacy of Charles Neville exhibit, watch as florists create designs using surprise materials, and make your own bouquet. Food and entertainment included; cash bar.
Friday-Sunday
Join experienced docent guides as they discuss the interpretive floral arrangements and the museum objects that served as inspiration. Free with museum admission.
11:15 am D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts
12:15 pm Springfield Science Museum
1:15 pm GWV Smith Art Museum
2:15 pm Wood Museum of Springfield History
3:15 pm D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts
Festival of Flowers Family Day
April, 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Explore the world of flowers through hands-on activities. Free with museum admission.
HIGHLIGHTS
Make your own Bouquet, 11 am–2 pm
Make a small bouquets to take home. (Deco Room, First Floor, D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts)
Color Changing Flowers, 11 am–3 pm
Observe the process of capillary action through an experiment with consisting of white flowers and colored water. (Discovery Lab, Lower Level, Springfield Science Museum)
ONGOING ACTIVITIES
Pollinator Activity, 11 am–3 pm
Learn about bees, hummingbirds, moths, beetles, flies, bats, and butterflies and how different plants have evolved to attract them with our friends from Fish & Wildlife. (Mammal Hall, First Floor, Springfield Science Museum)
Flower Trading Cards, 11 am–3 pm
Decorate your very own flower trading card deck, then play the game to learn more about how mighty flowers can be! (Location to be determined)
Flower Scavenger Hunt, 11 am–3 pm
Search the galleries of the Art and Science Museums to find the different flowers and pollinators throughout the collections. Learn fun facts along the way and get a prize when finished! (Various galleries; Springfield Science Museum, GWV Smith Art Museum, and D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts)
Flower Basket Craft, 12-4 pm
Make your own paper flowers for a paper flower basket. (Art Discovery Center, Second Floor, GWV Smith Art Museum)
Zentangle Botanical Drawing (This class takes place BEFORE the festival begins.)
Annette Chittenden; Saturday, 10 AM-1 PM; April 2 (one class); $49, members; $58, nonmembers (all materials provided); Maximum: 12; GWVS.
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.
Lisa Regopoulos; Friday, 10 AM -3 PM; April 8 (one class); $75, Members; $88, nonmembers; Maximum: 9; GWVS.
Working from live flower arrangements in the gallery, 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 lunch. Supply list provided.
Painting Spectacular Flowers in Watercolor (This class takes place AFTER the festival.)
Robert J O’Brien, AWS NWS; Thursday & Friday, 10 AM – 4 PM; May 12 & 13 (two classes); $165, Members; $194, nonmembers; Maximum: 12; GWVS.
Learn basic floral, watercolor painting techniques, with an emphasis on values and composition, as well as how to layer and blend color into soft edges. We 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. Open to all levels.
Floral Design: Spring Celebration Centerpiece (This class takes place AFTER the festival.)
Ruth Loiseau; Thursday, 6-8 pm; May 5 (one class); $64, Members; $75, nonmembers (includes all materials); Maximum: 18; GWVS.
Just in time for Mother’s Day or any special celebration! Ruth Loiseau is a nationally-recognized floral designer and a special events florist at the White House. Enjoy a glass of bubbly as Ruth guides you through the steps to create a stunning floral arrangement for your spring table. Please bring a pair of clippers.
SPONSORED BY
Flowers, Flowers!
SUPPORTED BY
Durocher Florist
Gardeners on the Green in Longmeadow, MA
Randall’s Farm & Greenhouse
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. Seuss Museum, the first and only museum dedicated to the beloved children’s book author and Springfield native.