Art in Bloom 2017

October 26 – 29, 2017

The Cincinnati Art Museum’s 9th biennial celebration of Fine Art and Flowers

Guidelines for Arrangers

The Art:

Visit the Art Museum as you review the selected art from the prepared Art in Bloom selection list, provided on the website and at the front desk. Choose the art that you wish to interpret in flowers. Note the location where the display pedestal will be placed, left or right, from the prepared selection list. Remember most arrangements will be viewed from three sides.

Registration:

Selections will be offered first come first serve. Because of this, we suggest you choose 2-3 pieces that you are interested in interpreting. Please email your selection(s) to Anne Campbell, our volunteer registrar at . Your choice will be confirmed by Anne. We will make every attempt to keep the list of selected art pieces updated on the website and at the front desk as you make your decision.

Closer to the event, we will ask arrangers to write a brief statement of intent that will accompany your arrangement and its label at the time of installation.

Physical Requirements:

Each arrangement must fit on the museum’s supplied pedestal that measures 36” tall with 19-1/2” diameter circular top. Your arrangement may not extend more than 5” in any direction beyond the edge of the pedestal top nor be taller than 48” high. The container must not be larger than the supplied pedestal. The container and arrangement must be well-balanced and must rest securely on the pedestal. The container must be water-tight; if there is leakage your arrangement will be removed from display. No draping or accessories may be used on the pedestals. Each pedestal is placed near the piece of art by a museum staff member, and may not be moved even slightly. Museum staff will highlight your arrangement with additional or adjusted lighting after your arrangement is installed on its pedestal.

Floral Requirements:

The use of fresh flowers and greenery is mandatory. All organic materials must be purchased from a commercial flower market or retail floral company to ensure the arrangements’ materials are free of insects and other pests. (This applies to all organic components of the arrangement.) No silk or artificial materials are allowed.

Note: The following are not allowed: potted plants, any soil, fruit or vegetables (including gourds) or other edible matter, feathers, natural bird’s nests, taxidermy, live fish or animals. There are no exceptions. The Art Museum’s chief conservator will inspect each arrangement as it enters the museum the morning of Art in Bloom setup. If any floral material or arrangement does not meet the listed specifications or is discovered to be infested or diseased the arrangement will be immediately removed.

Note: In choosing your floral components, please consider you will not be allowed to water your arrangement; your watering instructions will be followed by the museum’s experienced Art in Bloom staff. (Misting the arrangements will not be performed.) When working with lilies, the stamens must be removed prior to installation, and any lily opening after installation will be tended by Art in Bloom staff. Refurbishing may be done in a minor manner in place only on Saturday morning with a museum staff member before the museum’s opening at 11 a.m.

Installation Morning:

It is best to bring your arrangement to the museum in its completed form. There will be a workplace to add finishing touches prior to the conservator’s examination. Any deviation from the stated requirements will prevent the installation of your arrangement. Placement of your arrangement on the pedestal will be handled by the experienced designated volunteers with your oversight. Please remember to bring your “statement of intent” and your arrangement’s list of plant materials’ common names; specific labels are created for each arrangement. Further “installation morning” instructions will be given to you in September.

We are delighted you will be a participant in the Art Museum’s Art in Bloom 2017. This event is a wonderful marriage of floral interpretation with fine art. The Cincinnati Art Museum must exercise due caution to safeguard the priceless works of art in its collections while highlighting a very special four day event. Thank you for joining us.

Sarah Stahl & Jennifer Ragland

Art in Bloom 2017 co-chairs