Spring was in the air, punctuated with the fragrant aroma of fresh flowers, at the Vero Beach Museum of Art’s annual Art in Bloom Luncheon, featuring a demonstration by Bruno Duarte, owner and creative director of Fresh Floral Creations in Toronto. The luncheon was co-chaired by Connie Patterson and Dhuanne Tansill, while the exhibition was chaired by Lee LaPointe and Ann Webber.
As guests wandered the hallways and gallery rooms, perusing the 14 remarkable floral creations, each inspired by a different work of art, they had the difficult task of voting on their favorites to determine the winners of Best Use of Color, Best Use of Texture, Best Interpretation and Best in Show. The designers had chosen from a list of artwork selected by the curator from pieces in the museum’s permanent collection and current exhibitions.
The fashionably attired crowd of roughly 500 ladies dined on figure-friendly salads catered by Elizabeth D. Kennedy and Company before watching as Duarte demonstrated his renowned artistry, creating several impressive arrangements. The large number of attendees necessitated two seatings at either the Holmes Great Hall or the Atrium, where the springtime décor featured floral centerpieces from Hutchinson Floral Artistry atop bright green tablecloths.
The Art in Bloom event got its start seven years ago when John’s Island Garden Club members Ann Webber, Lee LaPointe and Ann Jones gave an arrangement demonstration and it quickly blossomed into one of the hottest tickets in town, with members of the John’s Island Garden Group also getting involved.
“This is definitely one of the more popular events,” said Lucinda Gedeon, VBMA CEO. “You have these wonderfully talented floral designers interpreting works of art; much like Vero Ballet’s interpretations of art through dance.”
This year’s floral designers were Ann Boyd, Ann Jones, Lee LaPointe, Suzanne Mallory, Elizabeth Matthews, Betty McCarthy, Sharie Mortimer, Nancy Murray, Mary Pressly, Susan Pyles, Pinkie Roe, Elaine Sigler, Ann Webber and Arun Wijefilleke. Best In Show was awarded to Ann Webber and Ann Jones for their colorful tulip and clementine filled depiction of John Baeder’s Southwest Motel.
Funds raised at the event help support the Museum’s educational outreach programs.
