Westmoreland Museum of American Art celebrates spring with 'Art in Bloom'

Spring is in the air at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. From Thursday to Sunday, “Art in Bloom” will bring a burst of floral inspiration to the Greensburg museum.

The program pairs 20 local floral artists with pieces of art from the museum’s collection and tasks them with creating a floral arrangement inspired by the art. Along with those displays, there will be four days of flower-powered events for the community to enjoy.

“Art in Bloom” isn’t new to the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, but it’s been on hiatus for more than a decade. “I thought it was a great opportunity to bring it back, and in a new way, too,” said Silvia Filippini-Fantoni, Ph.D., director/CEO of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. A similar program was popular at the North Carolina Museum of Art, where she previously worked.

The floral designers involved — which include Steel City Florals, Planted in Pitt, Galleria Botanica and many more — donated their time and materials for the project. They were allowed to interpret the art however they liked and were encouraged to be creative.

For the museum’s part, the 20 works span a variety of mediums, styles and time periods, and were also chosen based on where they are located in the galleries. The floral artists randomly selected their pieces.

“We are very clear that it doesn’t have to be a literal interpretation,” said Filippini-Fantoni. “It can be their vision of it … we did not give them any limitations in that way.”

One benefit of bringing in blooms is that the pairings give fresh perspective on the museum’s existing collection. “It’s offering another way to look at art. People might be intimidated by art … but looking at a flower that’s responding to it gives you a different way in,” Filippini-Fantoni said. “We were very intentional in trying to provide events that are serving different types of audiences.”

On Thursday, there is a sold-out workshop where participants create their own collages using pressed flowers. Later that afternoon, the museum’s chief curator Jeremiah William McCarthy will lead a tour of the museum’s floral works with “light bites and bubbles,” at the “A Closer Look: Paintings and Prosecco” event.

Friday features an event called “The Flower Bar.” From 6 to 8 p.m., attendees will learn about cocktails and botanicals, taste test some floral and herbal concoctions, and enjoy snacks, a DJ and a cash bar.

A tea amongst the exhibits will be held on Saturday, and is currently sold out.

Sunday is fun day! The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., kids and families can enjoy activities and performances throughout the museum, including balloon artists, crafts, music and the Mommalicious food truck.

“There will be a lot of kids here and a lot of activities,” said Filippini-Fantoni, “so if people want to enjoy this in a little bit more of a quiet setting with other adults, we do recommend that they try to come on Thursday, Friday or Saturday.”

Another way to participate in the program is by choosing a favorite floral arrangement for the People’s Choice Award. Three separate awards will be given throughout “Art in Bloom.”

One is chosen by the director. “I get to pick my favorite,” said Filippini-Fantoni. “It’s one of the privileges that comes with the job.”

One is chosen by the Committee for the Westmoreland, the largest sponsor of the program. The first two winners will be announced on Thursday.

The third is a popular vote. Each visitor will receive a ballot, and the vote will close at 3 p.m. Sunday.

For Filippini-Fantoni, the first few days of spring are a perfect time for “Art in Bloom.” “I’m just personally committed to seeing the spring coming,” she joked.

“Art in Bloom” will be open to the public from March 21-24 at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, located at 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. Admission is free for museum members and $10 for non-members. There will also be several events spread out throughout the program’s four days for flower lovers to attend. Costs for the events varies.

For information on the program and a full list of the participating floral artists, visit thewestmoreland.org.