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Awaken Your Senses

Floral designers take over The Worcester Art Museum this winter, transforming the space with imaginative floral displays full of vibrant color, light, and delicate perfumes for Flora in Winter 2018.

2018's floral theme is “Swept Away.” It is inspired by Coming Away: Winslow Homer and England, a Worcester Art Museum exhibition that explores how Homer’s year-long sojourn in an English fishing village transformed his work.

You can experience this immersive exhibit in the dead of winter; right when a reminder of spring and the warmer weather ahead will be much appreciated. This blooming extravaganza will take place January 25 - 28, 2018.

Thursday Kick-Off Party

On opening night, January 25 from 5:30 PM - 8 PM, you can be the first to preview the fresh arrangements. Enjoy some artisanal sweets while live music echoes through the museum’s renowned Renaissance Court and you grab some drinks from the cash bar.

Bring your friends for a night out that will spark creative conversation, make it an exciting date night, or bring the whole family for an educational experience.

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Friday Events

Lecture: Flora Contained / 10:30am / Free with Flora admission

Some floral designers make their containers an important part of their design and while others let the flowers do the talking. This illustrated talk by Flora Co-chair Kim Cutler will focus on the container-crazy designers and the creative ways they build, integrate, and use containers to enhance their interpretive designs. Made in-house, custom-built by professionals, re-purposed, or found at the local dump, these containers play a starring role in Flora in Winter.

Interpretive Challenge Class Demonstration / 3 PM - 4:30 PM / Renaissance Court

Free with Flora admission, no RSVP required, seating is limited. Three different Floral Design Judges create flower arrangements from scratch inspired by A Winged Genius (Assyrian, 883-859 BC), 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 28th, to guests who have purchased or renewed their membership during Flora.   

Plant Nite / 5:30 PM - 7 PM / $50 Members and Nonmembers

Plant Nite is coming to WAM! Guests will create a succulent-filled terrarium to take home, visit the cash bar, and enjoy Flora while the galleries are less crowded. Materials included.  Tickets may be purchased at https://www.plantnite.com/events/-10032628

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Saturday Events

Origami Flower Corsages / 10 AM - 1 PM, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM / Throughout Museum Galleries

Free with Flora admission, no RSVP required. WAM educators lead an interactive drop-in origami-making activity throughout the Museum.

Flora Designing at Home / 10 AM - 11:30 AM (demo); 11:30 AM - 12 PM (tour)

Guests will enjoy coffee and pastry while watching floral designer Mary Huntoon demonstrate various floral designs for your home. These will be easy designs to liven up your house and have everyone wondering how you did it. Immediately following will be a special docent led tour of Flora in Winter.  To register, buy online: http://florademotour.brownpapertickets.com or call 1-800-838-3006.

Sunday Events

Origami Flower Corsages / 10 AM - 1 PM, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM / Throughout Museum Galleries

Free with Flora admission, no RSVP required. WAM educators lead an interactive drop-in origami-making activity throughout the Museum.

Flora Designing at Home / 10 AM - 11:30 AM (demo); 11:30 AM - 12 PM (tour)

Guests will enjoy coffee and pastry while watching floral designer Mary Huntoon demonstrate various floral designs for your home. These will be easy designs to liven up your house and have everyone wondering how you did it. Immediately following will be a special docent led tour of Flora in Winter.  To register, buy online: http://florademotour.brownpapertickets.com or call 1-800-838-3006.

Lecture: The Lost Salisbury Gardens and Greenhouses  / 1 PM

Join WAM Director Emeritus Jim Welu, as he discusses the lost Salisbury Gardens and Greenhouses. To register, visit: https://lostgreenhouses.brownpapertickets.com or call 1-800-838-3006. Pre-registration required, free with Flora admission, seating is limited.

Concert: Seele Musicale Chamber Ensemble / 2:30 PM / Renaissance Court

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. Free with Flora admission, no RSVP required.


Test your knowledge of this year's theme and enter to win 4 tickets to the event!


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