To host its annual Art in Bloom Luncheon in the safest way possible, the Vero Beach Museum of Art held it over two days last week, offering guests a choice of two seatings each day for the luncheon, catered by Elizabeth Kennedy & Co., plus a virtual option for anyone still hesitant about venturing out.
“Obviously, because of COVID we were faced with some challenges, but we have a wonderful committee, and the museum was so helpful in guiding us along the way,” said Jane Coley, event co-chair with Beth Werwaiss. “I think it’s great that we have so many talented floral designers.”
“We are also extremely excited because our presenter is Shane Connolly, who is streaming from London. He’s a very high profile, extremely talented, internationally well-known floral designer. He’s very interested in natural settings and is going to be talking about the poetry of nature, which is our exhibit here,” said Werwaiss, referencing the Poetry of Nature: Hudson River School Landscapes from the New-York Historical Society exhibit on display through May 2.
Talented local designers created 11 remarkable floral arrangements inspired by selected museum artworks. After viewing the interpretive pairings, guests cast their votes for favorites in several categories.
“Having it over two days, we’re going to have two separate days of voting,” said Ann Jones, exhibition co-chair with Susan Pyles. “It will be very interesting to see how each group perceives the show. We’re hoping that it will be a more diverse group of winners. These women work so hard and it’s also a financial investment to do this, so it’s nice to get the recognition.”
This year’s designers were Sheila Barbosa, Inge Holland, Ann Jones, Barbara Kaytes, Suzanne Mallory, Cress Meier, Sharie Mortimer, Deborah Murphy, Nancy Murphy, Ann Webber and Arun Wijetilleke.
With the pandemic, Jones said the designers were sent virtual photos of the artwork to be interpreted, rather than hard copies.
“They were actually clearer, so that was a good thing and I think something we’ll do in the future. The bad thing is that we had a couple of arrangers who were stuck up north, one in Canada and one in Maine. And then the light show, which is incredibly wonderful, was a little bit difficult for people to decide how they might interpret it. But I think we have a couple of really exceptional ones,” said Jones.
“I want people to leave here feeling that they were comfortable, that they enjoyed it and they didn’t feel in the least bit threatened,” Jones added. “I do feel like most of the people who have come probably have had their shots, so that’s good.”
Welcoming guests, Brady Roberts, VBMA CEO, said: “It’s so great to have people back in the Vero Beach Museum of Art. Art in Bloom typically marks the end of the season for us, and it feels like we’re just getting started.”
Roberts described Connolly as a passionate advocate for British grown seasonal flowers, who takes an organic approach to his designs. He said Connolly has decorated for an eclectic range of private and corporate clients, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Academy of Arts. In 2005 Connolly was asked by the Duchess of Cornwall to design her bouquet and all the arrangements for her marriage to the Prince of Wales.
In 2011 he was appointed artistic director for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
“I try to let nature be my guide in everything I do. My start in plants came from gardens and growing things so I’m going to do a growing arrangement as my first thing today,” said Connolly, who proceed to demonstrate his talents by creating several artistic arrangements.
Photos by Kaila Jones
