(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- This year marked the 10th Anniversary of the Montclair Art Museum’s Art in Bloom, a biennial celebration of floral design inspired by the art in MAM’s galleries. The week of events were chaired by Fred and Joanne Langbein and honored four extraordinary, civic-minded women: Rose Cali, a community leader and philanthropist who champions the arts and education across the region; Dr. Susan Cole, President of Montclair State University and thought leader in education policy; Deborah Hirsch, arts & culture advocate who has created a legacy of extraordinary volunteer and board service; and Kay WalkingStick, celebrated Native American artist whose exhibition, Kay WalkingStick: An American Artistis on view at MAM through June 17. These honorees planted seeds of change in Montclair over the past 30 years, contributing to its transformation into a destination for culture, art, and higher learning and creating an indelible legacy of community service that extends well beyond the town’s borders.
Floral Design Exhibition - May 16–20. Chaired by Cynthia Corhan-Aitken,this year’s floral design exhibition featured more than 45 designers and garden clubs from the tristate region. For just one week, the Montclair Art Museum was filled with floral interpretations of artwork from the permanent collection of the Museum and the special exhibition Kay WalkingStick: An American Artist.
Joie De Vivre Luncheon & Lecture - May 17, 10:30am–2:00pm. The week of landmark events kicked off with the Joie de Vivre Lecture & Luncheon, honoring Deborah Hirsch. Chaired by Betty Murphy and Amy South, the Joie de Vivre Lecture & Luncheon, included private gallery hours where guests could view the highly anticipated Floral Design Exhibition, a raffle spectacular, andan amazing Guest Panel of local entertaining talents including private chefs, wine connoisseurs, and event professionals. Attendees took a trip around the globe and were inspired by the panel’s two themes: a rustic Roman-inspired alfresco gathering and a Parisian sophisticated soirée.Guests were surrounded by beauty; more than 30 local artists and businesses created unique tablescapes inspired by art, travel, food, and wine.This fundraising event brought together artists, philanthropists, community leaders, and friends of MAM and provided critical support to MAM's acclaimed exhibitions and award-winning education programs.
Panelists included culinary whizzes Steven Desalvo, private chef, and Ariane Duarte, chef and owner at Ariane Kitchen & Bar; wine connoisseurs Tim Hirsch, project and operations manager at Grand Cru, and Sharon Sevrens, owner of Amanti Vino; spectacular event designers Zachary Tischbein, owner of Table Leg Home, and Polly Morozov, owner of Ampersand Interiors + Garden; fantastic florists Andrea Filippone, landscape designer/partner for AJF Design and F2Environmental Design, and Anne Kilkullen, founder and creative director at Blade Floral and Event Design; and Travel+LeisureSuper Agent A-List Rebecca MacGregor.
Life in Bloom: Garden to Table - May 17, 6:30pm–8:30pm. For the special 10th Anniversary of Art in Bloom, the Montclair Art Museum added Life in Bloom: Garden to Table, a community event that takes the theme of Art in Bloom from the garden to the table with a focus on local food, home gardens, and healthy eating choices. Taking advantage of Thursday’s evening gallery hours, guests were able to view the Floral Design Exhibition as well as enjoy a host of dynamic programming. Attendees learned to grow it, source it, and cook it from an interactive panel which included a master gardener, beekeeper, and local chef. The evening highlighted local resources and featured a dynamic fair of partners that specialize in habits for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle—from slow food to sustainable agriculture, CSAs to composting, and foraging to fermenting.
Panelists included Chrys Gaffney, Master Gardener from Rutgers Cooperative Extension; Jeff Luick, Beekeeper from Be My Honey Apiary; Chef Kwame Williams, Local Chef from Vital Dining; Moderated by Ruthie Perretti from Ruthie’s BBQ.
Under a Painted Sky Gala - May 19, 6:00pm–12:00am. The capstone of Art in Bloom’s 10thAnniversary celebration was the Museum’s, Under a Painted Sky Gala, honoring Rose Cali, Dr. Susan Cole, and Kay WalkingStick.This elegant affair chaired byJoanne Langbein and Lyn Reiter, included a private viewing of the Floral Design Exhibition, cocktails in the galleries, a silent auction, a fabulous dinner, and a live auction presented by Charles Antin. The fun continued late into the night with dancing, a Scotch tasting and cigar bar on the lawn, and premier photo opportunities such as the Dark Room Truck.This amazing evening brought together artists, philanthropists, community leaders, and friends of MAM and provide critical support to MAM's acclaimed exhibitions and award-winning education programs.
The Montclair Art Museum is located at 3 South Mountain Avenue in Montclair, New Jersey.
Photos by Andy Foster/Courtesy of Montclair Art Museum