Art in Bloom - Harriet Frishmuth

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI - Tucked away inside the Museum of Art and Archaeology, safe from the dreary weather, spring was in full bloom this weekend. The sixth annual Art in Bloom exhibit brought paintings, sculptures and artifacts from the museum's collection to life through intricate floral interpretations.

White calla lilies and violet liatris mimicked the harsh geometric lines and vivid colors of contemporary sculpture "Anten-nalope," and berzelia and birch branches depicted the elegant forms in the American classic "The Sorceress."

"The arrangers pick out details in these pieces and show us things we've never seen before," museum docent Remy Wagner said. "It's like seeing a piece for the first time sometimes."

The exhibit featured 17 floral arrangements, contributed by 10 local florists and garden clubs. Five paintings, 11 sculptures and one ancient Egyptian tunic served as muses to the arrangements, which often drew from the shape, style or color of the original pieces.

Art in Bloom exhibits have been held in art museums across the country since their debut in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in 1976. Usually in the springtime, the exhibits focus on incorporating live art from nature with more traditional pieces from within museum collections.

In contrast to many other Art in Bloom exhibits, including the semi-annual festival at the St. Louis Art Museum, that select pieces for the arrangers, those participating in the university's exhibit were asked to choose their inspiration from the museum's collection.

"A number of arrangers responded to our sculptures," said Wagner. "They are also working in three-dimensional medium, so they respond to the sculptures in a different way."

In addition to floral arrangements, the Art in Bloom festival brought floral themed costumes from the Missouri Historic Costume and Textile Collection to the museum.

"That's the great thing about exhibits like this," Wagner said. "We see collaboration from all different departments." Wagner hopes the exhibit will highlight the diversity and flexibility the museum offers and encourage people to visit the museum more than once.

"Things are always changing in the museum, so people need to visit it several times a year," Wagner said.

Between exhibits, the museum curators often rearrange pieces within a gallery to offer variety to viewers.

"Sometimes we take pieces we see everyday for granted," Wagner said. "Seeing them in a different light or a different setting helps us see them again."

The event also featured Art in Bloom for children Saturday and Sunday. Children of all ages were given the opportunity to create their own floral arrangements.

"It's a good way to get the kids to start developing a good appreciation for art," said Adam Clapper, who attended the event with his son. "There's a certain novelty in using nature to interpret art."

Great pairings: Sculpture and Floral Arrangements