Flora in Winter takes place January 24 – 27 at the Worcester Art Museum
Annual floral extravaganza is the perfect antidote to winter’s icy grip
Worcester, MA (January 3, 2019) — The 17th–annual Flora in Winter, one of Worcester’s most beloved traditions, takes place January 24 through 27 at the Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury Street.
For four days, dozens of imaginative floral displays transform the Museum into a wonderland awash in color, light, and a profusion of delicate perfumes—the perfect antidote to winter’s icy grip. Floral designers interpret works from WAM’s permanent collection and fill the Museum with decorative creations intended to delight and amaze.
This year, Flora in Winter coincides with the opening of the special exhibition, Monet’s Waterloo Bridge: Vision and Process. Related programming inspired by Claude Monet, one of the most celebrated Impressionist artists, is scheduled throughout the event.
Flora in Winter is free for Museum members, $22 for Nonmember adults, and $6 for Youth. Separate ticket prices apply to some Flora programs and events; admission discounts may not be applied during Flora. Tickets go on sale January 1, 2019. More information about Flora in Winter can be found at worcesterart.org/flora.
Flora in Winter is funded in part by The Spear Fund for Public Programs and sponsored by United Bank Foundation Massachusetts.
The public is invited to Water Lilies to Waterloo: An Evening of Monet and Flowers, an Opening Party celebrating both Flora in Winter and the exhibition, Monet’s Waterloo Bridge: Vision and Process, on Friday, January 25 from 5:30 to 8pm. A perfect fusion of color, light, flowers, and art, this festive evening will include entertainment, live music, hearty hors d’oeuvres, and cash bar. Valet parking will be available at the Museum’s Lancaster Street entrance for $5 per car. Tickets are $20 for WAM Members, $30 for Nonmembers, $15 for Students, $8 for Youth (if purchased before January 15); after January 15 and at the door tickets are $25 WAM Members, $37 Nonmembers, $20 Students, $10 Youth. Tickets can be purchased at flora2019.brownpapertickets.com
Flora in Winter, chaired by Worcester Garden Club members Kim Cutler, Kathy Michie, and Sarah Ribeiro, includes a variety of public programs—guided tours, a lecture by Kim Cutler, a demonstration by expert floral designers, and a performance by the Seele Musicale Chamber Ensemble—all free with Flora admission. Other special ticketed programs delve more deeply into floral design techniques and require advance registration, as space is limited. All ages can enjoy making paper flower corsages at one of the Museum’s popular Art Carts. Materials and instruction are available so visitors can create a paper corsage to wear or bring home.
Flora in Winter 2019 full schedule of events and programs
OPENING PARTY: Waterlilies to Waterloo: An Evening with Monet and Flowers
Friday, January 25, 5:30-8 pm
Early purchase (by January 15th) Members $20, Nonmembers $30, Students $15,
Youth $8
After January 15 and at the door: Members $25, Nonmembers $37, Students $20,
Youth $10
This event celebrates both Flora in Winter and the opening of the exhibition, Monet’s Waterloo Bridge: Vision and Process, with a fusion of color, light, flowers, and art. The festivities include entertainment, live music, hearty hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar. Valet available at the Lancaster Street entrance for $5 per car. Buy tickets at flora2019.brownpapertickets.com or call 1-800-838-3006
Members of the Museum’s Salisbury Society enjoy a Chairman’s tour of the Flora arrangements, private viewing of the exhibition, Monet’s Waterloo Bridge, and complimentary admission for the evening. Open to Salisbury Society members only.
Interpretive Challenge Class Demonstration
Thursday, January 24, 2:00-3:30 pm
Renaissance Court
Free with Flora admission, no RSVP required, seating is limited.
Three floral designers create their own flower arrangements from scratch inspired by a work of art located in the Renaissance Court. The finished designs will be on view for the duration of Flora and will be raffled off on Sunday, January 27.
Living Art: Terrarium Workshop with Sally Jablonski
Thursday, January 24, 5-7:00 pm
$50 Members and Nonmembers
Master florist Sally Jablonski guides this workshop where participants create a one-of-a-kind succulent-filled terrarium to take home. Materials included. Cash bar. Register at flora2019.brownpapertickets.com or call 1-800-838-3006
Live Interpretation in the Gallery: Battle of Blossoms
Friday, January 25, 8-8:30 am coffee and pastries in the Museum Café;
8:30-10am demonstration in the European galleries
Members $20, Nonmembers $35, Students $20. Limited to 30 people
This year’s poplar live interpretation event taps the expertise of floral designers Susan Dewey and Thelma Shoneman, who will create flower arrangements inspired by two suits of armor in the European Galleries. Refreshments provided before the program. Register at flora2019.brownpapertickets.com or call 1-800-838-3006.
Lecture: Behind the Scenes of Flora with Kim Cutler
Friday, January 25, 10:30-11:30 am
Free with Flora admission, no RSVP required, seating is limited
Every frosty January, the Worcester Art Museum is transformed into a floral wonderland. This illustrated talk by Kim Cutler, Flora in Winter co-chair for 17 years, explores the creative energy and teamwork that goes into making it a signature event, including the unique challenges talented designers face when planning their arrangements and working in a museum setting.
Drop-in Activity: Paper Flower Corsages
Friday, January 25, 11:00 am-1:00 pm and 1:30-3:30 pm
Saturday, January 26, 11:00 am-1:00 pm and 1:30-3:30 pm
Sunday, January 27, 11:00 am-1:00 pm and 1:30-3:30 pm
Free with Flora admission, no RSVP required.
WAM educators show how to make paper flowers in this drop-in activity in Salisbury Hall. Wear your flower or bring it home.
Floral Demonstration and Tour: Floral Design with a French Flair
Saturday, January 26, 10:00 am-11:30 am (demonstration); 11:30 am-12:30 pm (tour)
Members $22, Nonmembers $35, Students $20, Youth $15 (includes Flora admission)
Jeff French of Worcester’s French Bouquet Florist shows how to make flower arrangements that would be at home in a Parisian salon. Rich color, lush texture, and unusual blooms characterize his design style. The program includes refreshments and a docent-led tour of Flora in Winter. Register at flora2019.brownpapertickets.com or call 1-800-838-3006
Lecture: Worcester’s Monets: Two Brilliant Acquisitions
Sunday, January 27, 1pm
$10, preregistration required, seating is limited. (Flora admission not included)
In 1910, the Worcester Art Museum purchased two paintings by Claude Monet, including one of his paintings of water lilies, the first to be acquired by an art museum. WAM Director Emeritus Jim Welu tells the fascinating story about these two acquisitions and America’s long love affair with French Impressionism. Register at flora2019.brownpapertickets.com or call 1-800-838-3006
Concert: Seele Musicale Chamber Ensemble
Sunday, January 27, 2:30 pm
Renaissance Court
Free with Flora admission, no RSVP required.
Seele Musicale Chamber Ensemble‘s roots were formed in November 2010 at First Unitarian Church of Worcester. Individually, the Seele Musicale musicians are teachers, music directors, orchestra members, church soloists, and chamber music enthusiasts. Their common bond is the intense love of the music they choose. Much of their interest gravitates around music of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Tours
Experience Flora Tours
Free with Flora admission.
Docents with identifying Flora badges are available in the galleries with Flora’s interpreted pieces between 10: 30am and 2:30pm, Friday through Sunday. Meet up with them at your convenience, or join a docent for an hour-long guided visit to Flora selections on tours leaving from Salisbury Hall at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:00 pm, Friday through Sunday.
Private Group Tours
Arrange a private, guided tour for groups of 10 or more by calling Jan Ewick at 508-793-4338. Two weeks advance notice is requested.
Hours and Parking
Museum & Shop
Thursday, January 24: 10 am-4 pm
Friday, January 25: 10 am-4 pm. The Museum and Shop re-open from 5:30 – 8 pm for the Flora/Monet Opening Party
Saturday, January 26: 10 am- 5pm
Sunday, January 27: 10 am-5 pm
The Museum Café (For questions, please contact the Café Manager at 508.793.4357)
Thursday, January 24: 11 am-3 pm
Friday, January 25: 11 am-3 pm (the last seating on January 25th will be at 2:30 pm)
Saturday, January 26: 11 am-3 pm
Sunday, January 27: 11 am-3 pm
Museum Library
Thursday, January 24: 10 am-4 pm
Friday, January 25: 10 am-4 pm
Saturday, January 26: 10 am-4 pm
Sunday, January 27: closed
Membership
Members enjoy free admission for all four days except for the Flora/Monet Opening Party on January 25. To purchase a membership, call 508.793.4300 or visit portal/worcesterart.org/join/
Parking
Valet parking will be available throughout Flora in Winter at the Lancaster Street entrance for a fee of $5 per car.
Photographs of past Flora in Winter events can be obtained here.
About the Worcester Art Museum
Founded in 1896, the Worcester Art Museum’s encyclopedic 38,000 piece collection covers 51 centuries of art. Highlights include the Medieval Chapter House, Renaissance Court, and Worcester Hunt Mosaic, as well as the recently integrated John Woodman Higgins Armory collection of arms and armor. The Museum is internationally known for its collection of European and American art. It was the first in America to acquire paintings by Monet and Gauguin and one of the first to exhibit photography as fine art. As the one of the first U.S. museums to focus on collaborating with local schools, it has been at the forefront of engaging audiences and giving them a meaningful and personal experience for over a century.
The Worcester Art Museum, located at 55 Salisbury Street in Worcester, MA, is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and every third Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission is $16 for adults, $6 for children 4-17, $14 for seniors 65+, and $14 for college students with ID.
Members and children under four are free.
Parking is free.
For more information, visit