Enjoy ‘Art in Bloom’ at the Southborough Public Library

Southborough – Twenty-five creative floral arrangements — each interpreting a unique, original piece of art — will be on display at the Southborough Public Library from Thursday, April 7 through Friday, April 9. For the second time, the club, the Southborough Gardeners, is collaborating with Algonquin Regional High School (ARHS) students to present “Art in Bloom.” They previously worked together in 2013.

There will be an opening gala reception at the library on Thursday, April 7 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. to which all are welcome at no charge. The arrangements will be on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9.

ARHS visual art teacher Danielle DeCiero has overseen the student involvement in this project. She said that 65 students submitted art for possible inclusion in the show. The 2D and 3D pieces range in style and size. Media includes acrylic paint, oil paint, mixed media, paper and wire.

“The content of the work is driven by students. So some are portraits, some are sculptures, still life, landscapes etc. Some are from images for reference, and some are from life, or imagination. The artwork is not of florals at all, but a wide variety of content,” said DeCiero.

Most of the school’s Advance Placement (AP) art students have submitted work to the Southborough Gardeners, according to DeCiero. Students who had submitted pieces to the Massachusetts Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Award also had the opportunity to participate.

DeCiero teaches ceramics, advanced ceramics, 3D Design, and Art I at ARHS. Now in her sixth  year, she said, “We are so lucky to have such a great bunch of students that are dedicated to creating quality artwork and improving their skills. We always look for opportunities to share work with the community, and this opportunity is great, as students get to see alternative interpretations of their work. It offers them a different perspective, which in turn will help grow their art-making abilities.”

For the event, the members of Southborough Gardeners have selected 25 pieces of art which they believe can be best reflected in a floral display. Twenty-nine gardeners, some working in pairs, will be creating arrangements the night before or the morning of the opening. Flowers will come from the Boston Flower Market, Mugford’s Flower Shoppe in Southborough, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and from the members as well.

Deb Depp Wilson, the club’s chair said,” Art in Bloom is my favorite Southborough Gardener’s event. For me it’s a trifecta! It showcases the amazing talents of our ARHS students, our lovely library, and brings together the community.”

“I love hearing people say they have never seen floral interpretation before and thoroughly enjoy the evening, greeting old friends and meeting new ones,” she added. “And the beautiful arrangements most certainly give you hope that spring will arrive in New England.”

Caroline Rossen, the group’s corresponding secretary,noted that this is the second year that Art in Bloom is being held at the Southborough Library. She said that previous events were held at St. Marks in 1991, 2006, and 2009.

According to Rossen, the group has 37 active, 16 associate, and 25 honorary members. Its mission is, “… to educate and promote active interest in gardening, horticulture, floral design, conservation and beautification of home and civic landscapes.” The group is part of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc.

For more information about the club, visit southboroughgardeners.org. The Southborough Library is located at 25 Main Street, which is the northwest corner of Routes 30 and 85.