Carol Stocker Answers Garden Questions LIVE 1-2 p.m. Friday March 4; Art in Bloom at MFA April 30-May 2

Each spring, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), celebrates the season with Art in Bloom, a festival of flowers featuring 50 New England garden clubs, along with professional designers, who will create vibrant floral displays throughout the galleries. Running from April 30th through May 2nd, this year's event-now marking its 35th anniversary-will feature arrangements that will draw inspiration from the Museum's masterpieces throughout the Museum, focusing on works the new Art of the Americas Wing, which opened in November 2010. Among the 50 works of art that will be interpreted in flowers are some of America's greatest masters, from Cassatt and Sargent to Homer, Heade, and Copley.

In keeping with the Americas theme, the three-day event will include lectures and demonstrations by Nancy Clarke, the chief floral designer at the White House during six presidencies. Other lively programs include a Members' Night on Sunday, May 1; a free evening Open House on Monday, May 2; and hands-on demonstrations, lectures, master classes, and guided tours. Art in Bloom is presented by the MFA Associates, a volunteer group that contributes more than 40,000 hours each year to the Museum by leading daily gallery tours, creating regional membership outreach programs, and arranging flowers in the MFA's public spaces.

A final American artist will be well represented at the Museum during Art in Bloom. Dale Chihuly who masters in large scale glass art will have an enormous exhibition of his work in the Gund Gallery. He is so prolific that his colorful pieces are spilling out into the Museum's public areas. Two large-scale works, a green icicle tower and a neon wall piece will be on display in the Shapiro Family Courtyard in addition to colorful "Cat Tails" on view outside the Courtyard, visible through the soaring glass walls.

ART IN BLOOM ACTIVITIES

FAMILY DAY-Saturday, April 30, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Nature-oriented activities for families, art-making projects that include chalk sidewalk drawing with Sidewalk Sam, and additional special tours and programs are featured throughout the galleries. Children 17 and under are admitted free.

MEMBERS' NIGHT-Sunday, May 1, 6-8 p.m.
Museum hours are extended for a special viewing of Art in Bloom for MFA members. No tickets are required. To become a member, call 617.369.3395 or email membership@mfa.org.

LECTURE AND MASTER CLASS-Monday, May 2
Tickets are $35 for the demonstration/lecture, $200 for the master class (reservations required for master class; please call 617.369.3169).
Nancy Clarke served as the chief floral designer in the White House through six presidencies and three decades, arranging beautiful creations according to the tastes of the specific presidents and first ladies, from the Carters to the Obamas, before recently stepping down. During the lecture she will provide brief demonstrations. The Master class will include more in-depth demonstrations and hands-on learning.

FREE EVENING OPEN HOUSE-Monday, May 2, 5-9 p.m.
The Museum's evening Open House is from 5 to 9 p.m. on Monday, May 2, when admission is free to the public. Visitors are invited to enjoy a special evening viewing of the beautiful floral arrangements throughout the MFA's galleries. The New American Café and the Bravo restaurant are open for dinner. Performances include:
* Second Wind (an a cappella singing group featuring Peggy Ford)
* Gian Carlo Buscaglia (Latin singer/guitarist)
* Jazzmen (a trio of Jazz musicians)

Art in Bloom at Home--Saturday through Monday, April 30-May 2
11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Alfond Auditorium
Flower arranging workshops are offered for visitors interested in learning how to design their own inspired creations.

Free Spotlight Tours--Saturday through Monday, April 30-May 2
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. (additionally from 5-9 p.m. on Monday during the Open House)
Throughout the galleries
An in-depth look at the floral arrangements and the works of art that inspired them is presented during these ongoing tours.

Flower Cart--Saturday through Monday, April 30-May 2
1 - 4 p.m.
Huntington and Fenway Entrances
Flowers and spring-time products are available for purchase outside the entrances.

An Elegant Tea--Saturday through Monday, April 30-May 1
2 and 4 p.m.
Koch Gallery for European Masters
*requires tickets ($25 for adults, $10 for children)
The MFA hosts and elegant Art in Bloom tea in the dramatic Koch Gallery.

HOURS
During Art in Bloom, the MFA is open daily (Saturday through Monday, April 30 - May 2) from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., with the addition of a special free evening Open House on Monday, from 5 to 9 p.m.

TICKETING
Art in Bloom is free with general admission, which includes two visits within a 10-day period:
* Museum members FREE
* Adults $20
* Seniors/Students $18
* Youths 17 and younger FREE
(on school days until 3 p.m., $7.50)

Tickets for Art in Bloom special events are available for purchase by visiting the Museum's website at www.mfa.org, or by visiting or calling the MFA's Remis Auditorium box office at (617.369.3306). For specific questions concerning events, as well as the purchase of master class tickets, please call the Art in Bloom hotline at 617.369.3169.