Art in Bloom 2023: A Floral Wonderland at Columbus Museum of Art

Spring has arrived, and it’s time to celebrate! Art in Bloom 2023 is back, and it’s the perfect way to kick off the season. From April 27 to 30, the Columbus Museum of Art will be transformed into a floral wonderland featuring works of art from the Museum’s permanent collection brought to life by dozens of talented floral artists and designers. The biennial fundraiser showcases the talents of Central Ohio’s most creative minds, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever before.

You absolutely cannot miss this! I went this morning and was blown away by the breathtaking perspective of the iconic permanent pieces at the Columbus Museum of Art. Trust me, it’s a mind-blowing experience that you won’t forget!

Art in Bloom in’t only about admiring the gorgeous flowers, even though I could stay for hours doing just that – there are plenty of hands-on experiences and exciting programs for visitors of all ages to enjoy! Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect:

Starting Friday, April 28

Explore the Galleries
April 28–30, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

• Discover Art in Bloom throughout the Museum’s galleries and gardens. Pick up a floral scavenger hunt at the welcome desk for a way to explore and have fun in the galleries.

Art in Bloom is included with general admission. This program supports creative programing for families and children. Please consider giving a donation to Art in Bloom in addition to the cost of admission. Thank you in advance.

beecoming home art gallery
April 28–30, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

• View selected works from the Bee Collective’s beecoming home art gallery exhibition, a collaboration between local Columbus artists and bees.
• The Bee Collective’s Mission Statement is to create pollinator habitat throughout the major metropolitan areas of Central and Northeast Ohio and provide enthusiastic environmental education for the city’s schools and corporations. To do this, the bee collective maintains 19 “wild spots,” supports 27 beehives in 9 different apiaries, and builds native bee boxes to further support native bee populations.
• The goal of this project was to connect work from artists in this community to the honeybees in a way that truly binds our culture and nature. Creating a true physical symbol of our initial steps to merge these two cornerstones in Franklinton, Ohio. As the honeybees fill spaces, build comb, and fill the cracks to fit their needs, they are a reminder that we do this in our own lives.

Viewing the gallery is free with admission

Saturday, April 29

• Art, Architecture, and the Arbor: Connections Between the Built and Natural Worlds Presented by Elena Andrews, Owner/Designer, Spruce
  • April 29, 10:30–11:30 AM, Program is free for members, $10 for nonmembers.
  • Enjoy a talk from Spruce owner/designer Elena Andrews about landscape architecture. With projects ranging from simple bed plantings to full-scale master plans, Spruce believes that each project is an opportunity to create memorable spaces.
• Open Studio Blooms Family Event
  • April 29, 10:30 AM–3:30 PM
  • Join Priscila Teixeira, Founder/CEO of Talking Fashion Inc., making floral fashion accessories to take home and enjoy. All ages are welcome. Artist will be in the Studio from 11:00 AM–2:00 PM.
  • Open Studio is a drop-in program included with the cost of admission. No registration is required.
• Potting Demonstration Presented by McCullough Landscape Design
  • April 29, 11:30 AM–12:00 PM, Free, drop-in program, no registration required.
  • Enjoy a potting demonstration with McCullough Landscape Design in the Patricia Jurgensen Sculpture Garden. Perfect timing for May planting!
• Create an Ohara Ikebana Flower Arrangement
  • April 29, 1:00–3:00 PM
  • Join Joe Rotella, a Third Term Master in the Ohara School of Ikebana, and create a “rising form” arrangement. Along the way, you’ll learn techniques to make beautiful arrangements with containers you likely have at home and a few flowers.
  • For this hands-on workshop, you’ll need a round, oval, or square shallow container (6”-12” in diameter or length), one 2” diameter kenzan (“frog” or needle holder), a pair of clippers, and a hand towel. We’ll supply the flowers and the fun!
  • $65 member/$75 nonmember ticket includes container, kenzan, flowers
  • $35 member/$45 nonmember ticket includes flowers, bring your own container and kenzan
  • Get tickets here

Sunday, April 30

• The History of Ikebana & Evolution of the Ohara School: Lecture & Demonstration
  • April 30, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM, Virtual Option Available, Program is free for members, $10 for nonmembers. Free for virtual attendees.
  • Learn about the classical art of Japanese flower arranging, Ikebana, from Joe Rotella, a Third Term Master in the Ohara School of Ikebana. Ikebana was introduced in Japan in the 6th century by Chinese Buddhist missionaries who had formalized the ritual of offering flowers to the Buddha. Based on a harmony of simple linear construction and an appreciation of the subtle beauty of flowers and natural materials, Ikebana has separated into several major schools according to historical periods and differing theories of artistic composition.
  • This program is a hybrid experience with an in-person talk and a virtual Zoom session. Check back to this page to tune-in to the virtual experience on the event date.
• Using Flowers for Wellness and Wellbeing Presented by Darsy Amaya
  • April 30, 1:00–2:00 PM, Program is $30 and includes instruction and all materials. Get Tickets
  • Learn about chakras and how scents and colors can help heal the body. Participants will make their own personal floral scented essential oils.
• Shop Local Pop-Up delicate botanics
  • April 30, 1:00–4:00 PM, Free with admission.
  • Peruse floral art, naturally pressed into beautiful gifts by Eliza Michael of delicate botanics. These timeless blooms are sure to delight.
• Tony Hagood’s Jazz Blossoms
  • April 30, 2:00–4:00 PM, Tickets are $20 for members, $25 for non-members in advance, and $30 for everyone at the door.
  • In conjunction with Art in Bloom, Tony Hagood’s Quartet will present a concert focusing on spring and jazz compositions inspired by flowers and nature. Watch a live floral demonstration by Teena Parker, Ampersand Flowers & Events, and listen to songs like A Blossom Fell, A Flower is a Lovesome Thing, Up Jumped Spring, Honeysuckle Rose, Passion Flower, La Vie en Rose and many more!

 Participating Florists

Morgan Aranda, Prema Designs
Jennifer Asmo, Expressions Floral Design Studio
Vera Battiste, Battiste LaFleur Galleria
Jennifer Belemu, Freelance Designer
Jody Brown-Spivey, Expressions Floral Design Studio
Genevieve Brune, Blumen
Holly Carson, Freelance Designer
Karen Ciula, Creative Arrangers Guild (Garden Club of Ohio)
Brian Coovert, BLÜHEN florist-garden-home
Michael Creath and Jessie Laux, Planthropy
Carole Dale, CMA Docent
Laura Daluga, AIFD
Michelle and Robert Damron, lef floral & botanical
Mike Dantz, Freelance Designer
Caroline Eells, Passiflora Studio
Tony Elder, Freelance Designer
Melissa Fisher, Gatehouse Blooms
Colby Friedman, Prema Designs
Evelyn Frolking, Studio Artiflora
Ericka Greene, fleur
Amanda Greenwood, Petals That Inspire
Eleanor Harris, Parafleur
Lynette Higginbotham, Madison House Designs LLC
Diane Hodges, Freelance Designer
Kathie Houchens, Freelance Designer
Maria Ianiro & Dominique Amar, Wild Doves Floristry
Grace Korandovich, GraceK Design
Tracy LeMaster Bragg, Freelance Designer
Christina Lewis, The Flower Boutique
Katelyn Lock, Bloomtastic
Jackie Lundberg, Creative Arrangers Guild
Miranda Ma, fleur
Allison and Nick McCullough, McCulllough’s Landscape & Nursery
Kelly Newman, The Flower Bee Blooms
James Novotny, Events + Design
Caitlin Nugent, Prema Designs
Laura Oldham, Return to Sender
Alexandria Ottney, Sweet Blossom Floral Co.
Lucia Overla, Bear Roots Floral
Sarah Palmer, The Flower Boutique
Teena Parker, Ampersand Flowers & Events
Hope Phillips, Illinois Prairie Ikenobo Chapter (affiliation)
Abbie Riley, Freelance Designer
Amrta Saliaj, Prema Designs
Erin Snyder, The Language of Flowers LLC
Janis Stein, Freelance Designer
Steven Studivant, Prema Designs
Cindy Trick, Cindy Trick Floral Design
Daisy Tseng, Illinois Prairie Ikenobo Chapter (affiliation)
Kirstin West, Bear Roots Floral
Sonia Wolfe, OAGC

Address: 480 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215614.221.6801
Hours: Tues & Weds: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Thurs: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Fri – Sun: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM , Mon: Closed

As a member, you can enjoy free admission to the museum. For non-members, admission fees are as follows: Adult – $18.00, Senior – $9.00, Student 18+ – $9.00, Student 4-17 – $9.00, and Child 0-3 – $0.00. Admission to the museum is free on Sundays, so mark your calendars! And, if you have a Columbus Library card, check with your local branch to see if they have any temporary free memberships that you can check out. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore the museum’s incredible collection and exhibitions!