ART IN BLOOM - MARY ANN'S CREATIONS
2023
2016
After taking a year off during COVID, Mary Ann returns to MIA's Art In Bloom's virtual experience. She selected a vibrant and exciting piece once again! While no awards were handed out, she received a number of votes for "favorite."
In 2022, MIA's Art in Bloom returned to an in-person event! It was very exciting to once again be in the space, watching people react to Mary Ann's piece. Once again, Mary Ann created the vessel from fused glass to coordinate with her selected inspiration from MIA's collection. "Italian Town by the Sea" by Alexander Exter evokes the whimsical hillside cities such as the Cinque Terra. While there was no public voting for awards, Mary Ann was overwhelmed with compliments from visitors to her piece.
2022
2021
As a returning 2018 Award Winner, Mary Ann was granted the opportunity to select her inspiration from the museum's collection before the general public. Mary Ann chose a dramatic painting called "The Competitive Lover." But 3 weeks before the 2019 Art In Bloom Show opening, Mary Ann received a call that her piece was pulled from the collection and she would have to select again and start over. She returned to the museum and found inspiration in Gallery #252.
In 2023, Mary Ann selected the piece called "Still Life," by Spanish artist Juan Gris. Mary Ann was interested in the piece, originally painted in 1917, for its Cubist style. She mimicked the painting with her fused glass vessel and floral elements.
During selection, Mary Ann was immediately drawn to the 1926 Georgia O'Keefe painting titled "City Night." She created custom fused glass panels to cover her vessel, which are made with special art glass that is cooked in a kiln for up to 14 hours and 1400 degrees. Her piece was awarded "Most Creative" in the People's Choice competition. She has since recreated the floral arrangement with silks. It is now on display in her gallery space in the historic Northrup King Building in the renowned Art District of Northeast Minneapolis.
2019
2018 - AWARDED "best floral interpretation of artwork"
2017 - AWARDED "Most Creative"
As a first time participant at Art in Bloom in 2016, Mary Ann selected "The Tabwa Diviner's Mask." She made the vase out of fused glass secured on a clear glass vessel. She used calla lilies and a mix of greens in her floral selection.
ORIGINAL FINE ART
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In 2018, Morgan created a floral arrangement and original fused glass vase to compliment a 17th century Japanese suit of armor titled “Armor and Helmet.” As a returning winner from 2017, she was able to select the piece before the general public, securing her first choice. Her creation was awarded People’s Choice Award for the “Best Floral Interpretation of Artwork." Organizers say over 3,000 people cast a ballot in the competition between 165 artists. To see the process of creating her piece, click HERE.
Art in Bloom is an annual spring showcase that takes place at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The 4-day festival pairs an artist with a piece from Mia’s collection to recreate or interpret it as a fresh flower arrangement.
Anyone can apply to be a pedestal floral artist, but only 165 museum pieces are assigned each year. Artists are entered into a lottery to receive a spot in the show. Then, art selection is made on a first come, first serve basis.
The “Art in Bloom” show concept is at dozens of museums across the country, but organizers say Minneapolis is the largest. It has more Pedestal Floral Artists participating than in any other location. Art in Bloom is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Institute, a membership group that is dedicated to supporting, enhancing and sustaining the collections and programs of Mia.