Lecture By Sydney Eddison—

‘Fine Art & Flowers’ Returning To Wadsworth In May

HARTFORD — “Fine Art & Flowers” will bloom at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art this year from Thursday, May 5, through Sunday, May 8.

The theme of this 24th annual spectacular of blossoms, greenery and art, which this year occurs over Mother’s Day weekend, is “In My Mother’s Garden.”

“Fine Art & Flowers” showcases the art museum’s splendid collections by pairing a painting or sculpture with a floral interpretation, table setting, or garden vignette. Every year, garden clubs and professional florists from across the state are invited to participate by the Women’s Committee of the Wadsworth Atheneum, which organizes the event. Honorary chair this year is Clair Pryor.

“Fine Art & Flowers” also offers educational sessions for the gardener, some with additional fees, and weekend activities for families. The programs will begin with a flower arranging workshop with The Reverend William McMillan on May 5, at 11:30 am.

The Rev McMillan, who heads a 17th Century parish church in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is an internationally acclaimed flower arranger. As such, he is an honorary member of the Garden Club of America. The cost for the program — which will take place in The Pond House Cafe at Elizabeth Park — is $100, which includes a boxed lunch. Bring arranging tools and accessories. Floral materials are provided but participants can also bring flowers from their garden and other materials.

Space is limited, and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For reservations, call 860-278-2670, extension 3034.

“Inspiration from My Garden,” a lecture and luncheon with the Rev McMillan, will take place on Friday, May 6. The lecture will be at 11 am in the museum’s theater, followed by lunch at The Hartford Club at 12:30. Tickets for the lecture and luncheon are $70, and includes free parking; tickets for the lecture only are $25, and does not include parking. For reservations, call 860-278-2670, extension 3141.

On Saturday, May 7, “Color for the Garden: The Rainbow Contained” will be an 11 am lecture and book signing by Sydney Eddison.

Ms Eddison, who teaches at the New York Botanical Gardens, is a popular writer who regularly contributes to Fine Gardening and Horticulture magazines, and is the author of six books, including Gardens to Go: Creating and Designing a Container Garden (Bulfinch, April 2005) and The Gardener’s Palette (McGraw Hill, November 2002). Both books will be sold and autographed after the lecture.

In 2002, she received the Connecticut Horticultural Society’s Gustaf A.L. Mehlquist Award. Ms Eddison lives and keeps a country garden in Newtown.

The lecture will be included with museum admission.

Younger museum guests will be invited from 2 to 5 pm on Saturday to “Create An Herb Garden For Mom.” Flower committee volunteers help children plant a take-home herb garden for a Mother’s Day gift. The drop-in workshop is free with museum admission.

On Sunday, May 8, The Museum Café will offer Mother’s Day Brunch, with an a la carte menu, from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. Reservations are strongly suggested; call 860-728-5989.

Finally, Professor Richard Matt from the Institute of Magic will perform marvelous magic on Sunday at 2 pm. The performance will be included with museum admission.

Hours for “Fine Art & Flowers” are Thursday from 11 am to 8 pm; Friday from 11 am to 5 pm; and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

Admission to the Wadsworth Atheneum during “Fine Art & Flowers” is $13 adults, $11 seniors (62+), $8 students (ages 13 to college with ID), and $3 for children ages 2-12. The exception is from 5 to 8 pm on Thursday, May 5, when admission will be $8 for adults, seniors and students.

For tours of ten or more at a discounted admission price, call 860-838-4046. For parking and ART shuttle information, visit www.WadsworthAtheneum.org.