Art With an Expiration Date

Electric Moonset by Beth Beasley paired with an arrangement by Preston Wainwright.

This Sunday is the final day of one of Flat Rock’s most gracious and beautiful events of the year. The Gallery at Flat Rock is hosting its 7th Annual Art in Bloom - a celebration of ephemeral beauty that pairs professional floral designers with fine artists. The resulting imaginative interpretations of juried artworks result in a spectacular exhibition of creative talent and natural beauty.

Gallery owner Suzanne Camarata suggests that visitors to the exhibit should “think of it as art with an expiration date.” Indeed, the artful pairing of colorful, fresh blooms with sculpture and canvases creates a visual “conversation” that’s amplified by the inherently temporary nature of the exhibit. 

The process invites professional floral designers to study the artwork and then create fresh floral interpretations based on what they experience. These floral pieces are exhibited in tandem with the artwork that inspired the designer, creating a dynamic visual display. ‘Art in Bloom’ originated in 1976 at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston  

This year’s event attracted over 150 artist submissions vying for the 20 available slots in the show. A panel of three judges was tasked with the daunting assignment of determining which pieces would be in the show. One of the judges this year was Courtney Hoelescher, an art teacher at Hendersonville High School for the past 14 years. “The hardest part,” says Courtney, “was narrowing down the selections from 25 to the final 20. There were a lot of  difficult choices.”

Best Pairing Award winners; artist Kim Painter (L) and Floral Designer, Candy Gallaher

As a judge, Courtney was looking for a variety of types of art and pieces that would present a bit of a challenge for the floral designers.  “I didn’t want to immediately be able to see the arrangement a designer would come up with. I wanted it to be a challenge.”

It is that challenge that floral designer Stephanie English relishes. Stephanie is part of the Inkanobo School of Floral Design and has participated in the Art in Bloom for all seven years at The Gallery. She particularly enjoys the unique opportunity to interpret artwork through her arrangement. “It is a different process for me. Instead of interpreting what you are personally feeling or want to express, you are interpreting someone else’s creation. That provides a very interesting challenge.”

Doug McAbee and Beth Beasley are two of the 20 artists represented in this year’s show and both are first-time participants. Doug lives and teaches art in Greenwood, SC and first heard about Art in Bloom last year and couldn’t wait to apply for this year’s show. His piece, “Sometimes He’s Not”, is a whimsical drawing that brings color and fun to the show “I love the idea of pairing two fairly different types of design”, says Doug. “It brings back fun, excitement, and real positive energy to the show. People can come and smile and really enjoy the experience of the art. I love that.”

Floral Designer, Beth Hohensee with her arrangement paired with a painting by Gary Cooley.

For her part, Beth was excited to see what her floral designer would come up with. She was pleased with what she saw. “It’s fabulous. I was confused at first by the lily in the center of the arrangement but then, aha, it’s the moon!”  Beth also enjoys the focus that such a transitory exhibition creates in the visitor. “It’s exciting because you just have this one chance to take it in. That hones your focus and makes you appreciate it that much more.”

Floral designer Beth Hohensee sees a parallel between this show and the work of the monks who create mandalas out of sand  - and then sweep it away when they are finished. “We are working with living materials. Part of the beauty is that it is so temporary.”

She also enjoys the challenge posed by the requirement to interpret art with her arrangement. “For me, it’s a change from the normal work I do. It’s fun to stretch your creative muscles and do something a little different from your day-to-day.”

The GAllery at Flat Rock Staff. Suzanne Camarata, Proprietor (Center), Meighan Ash, Gallery Director (Left) and Wendy McEntire, Gallery Assistant.

Suzanne Camarata is especially pleased with her Gallery’s 7th Art in Bloom. “The show gets more dynamic each year. I love that we can bring together floral designers and artists in the creation of such a unique and beautiful installation.”

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The exhibit will be open Sunday from 9 am - 5 pm. Today is the final day of the event. Admissions is a $5 fee, unlimited visits and payable at the door.

Funds raised by Art in Bloom will support a free summer camp for youth in the island nation of Cape Verde. The camp’s mission is to instill in kids of the Global South the vision to think big about what they can do in the world--through education, wellness and mindfulness. More info here: aminga.org