Flowers Bloom in February in Reedy Gallery

Even as the gales of winter rage outside, the Reedy Gallery is blooming with gorgeous flowers in vivid  hues.  The "Flowers Fantastique" exhibit  of floral paintings opened Feb. 11 and continues through May 31.   

The exhibit, presented in collaboration with Wilcock Gallery of Excelsior, celebrates nature's masterpieces - flowers - in all their shapes and hues.  It's a radiant collection of floral-themed oils and watercolors by 23 painters that capture the joyous emergence of spring glossoms and celebrate the unabashed beauty of flowers in summer. 

The featured artists are Mary Bacon, Jane Ask Bodahl, Olexa Bulavitsky, Gary Max Collins, Michael Coyle, Paul Cram, Ashley Dull, Kristine Fretheim, Steve Gjertson, Joy Hartl, Joan Hickey, Jim Hillis, Joan Hillis, Mary Krell, Dean Koutsky, Michele Pope Melina, Kim Mikulich, Leah Schwartz, Karen Stombaugh, Richard Stuck, Joseph Wilcock, Keith Wilcock and Zita Hawley Wright. 

Keith Wilcock of Wilcock Gallery will be on hand to provide insight into the artworks via informal tours from 1 to 3 p.m. the following weekends - Feb. 13-14, March 27-28, April 10-11 and May 22-23.  All artworks are available for sale and a portion of sale proceeds benefit the arboretum.

 Complementing "Flowers Fantastique" is a display of exquisite orchids in the Great Hall of the Oswald Visitor Center from Feb. 12 through March 14.   More than 150 orchids - including many unique species and hybrids - are featured, courtesy of Jerry Fischer and Orchids Limited greenhouse of Plymouth, Minn. 

Both exhibits are free with Arboretum gate admission ($9 adults; free for ages 15 and younger and free for members).

             
Lilacs by Olexa Bulavitsky                               Spring Gardens by Ashley Dull