By Vicki Bradley, Contributing Writer
Southborough – Beauty and talent were on display recently at the Southborough Library when the Southborough Gardeners Club held its “Art in Bloom” exhibit.
The event showcased the artwork of Algonquin Regional High School (ARHS) students, along with a floral design interpretation of each art piece created by the garden club members.
“The purpose of Art in Bloom is to interpret artwork in a floral design and exhibit both the fresh floral design with the artwork together so that they complement each other,” Susanne Healey, the president of the Gardeners Club, said.
The opening reception was well attended, and people were impressed with both the floral designs and the students” art.
“The art work is so well done,” said Julia Frederik of Northborough. “I like to come to this type of event to get ideas for my own floral designs, and the work of this Gardeners Club is amazing.”
The Southborough Gardeners held their first Art in Bloom exhibit in 1991 at St. Mark's School. This year's event was the first time that they collaborated with ARHS students and the Southborough Library.
“When I spoke with?the principal at Algonquin and various faculty members of the art department, they were very receptive to the idea of the joint exhibit, and upon viewing the library were very pleased with the exhibit space,” Healey said.
The Gardeners each chose a piece of artwork they wanted to interpret. They were able to choose from a large selection of art that included paintings, photographs and sculptures.
“You pick a particular piece because it calls to you; it's an alignment of head and heart,” Art in Bloom Program Chair Debbie Wilson said.
The artwork was created as part of the students” class requirements, and not specifically for the Art in Bloom event. The artists were able to see the floral interpretations of their artwork for the first time at the exhibit.
“I think she did a great job,” Emily Hoffman, a junior, said upon seeing the floral interpretation of her photograph made by Trudi Bessom.
“The joy in this is that it is a unique collaboration between Algonquin art students and the Southborough Gardeners that creates a great synergy,” Wilson commented. “It's a great opportunity to give beauty and joy back the community.”
“This event is a nice way to showcase the work of local public high school students and introduce the community to the floral design talents of the garden club members,” added Healey.
In addition to participating in events such as Art in Bloom and local flower shows, the Gardeners Club members” floral arrangements can also be seen weekly at the Southborough Library. Art in Bloom is an annual spring event at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, as well as the Worcester Art Museum.