Press

The New York State Museum will host "New York in Bloom," its 12th annual celebration of flowers and fund-raiser for its after-school programs, February 21-23.

"New York in Bloom" will be open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, February 21; Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23. The event will feature floral arrangements by more than 75 exhibitors, demonstrations and gallery tours all three days, children's workshops Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m., and a flower market Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. while supplies last. A gala buffet reception, with musical entertainment, will be held Friday evening. The public may call (518) 474-0068 to request an invitation to the gala.

First Lady Libby Pataki will be this year's honoree in recognition of her deep commitment and advocacy on behalf of children. She has been in the forefront in advancing programs that ensure the safety, health and education of all of New York State's children.

"New York in Bloom," a primary funding source for the Museum Club and the Discovery Squad after-school programs, is one of the most heavily attended of the museum's annual
programs and a tradition in the community. It consists of inventive floral arrangements by garden club members and amateur and professional designers from across the state. Participants in the event create arrangements that thematically complement the museum's permanent and
temporary exhibitions including "The World Trade Center: Rescue Recovery Response," phase II of which opens February 1; "Paul Robeson: Spirit of a Culture,""The Burgess Shale: Evolution's Big Bang; "Once Upon a Time: Fiction and Fantasy in Contemporary Art, Selections from the Whitney Museum" and "New York State Girls."

Friday demonstrations will include "How to Create Flowers from Pods" "Cones & Berries" at 11 a.m. and "Decorative Gift Wrapping with a Floral Theme" at 1 p.m.. Saturday's demonstrations will include "Making a Spring Basket & Garden from Permanent Flowers" at 11 a.m.; "Floral Design with Everyday Containers" at noon; "Creating Fossil Garden Stones" and "Seagroatt: 75 Years in the Floral Business", both at 2 and "Creating Terrarium Gardens" at 3 p.m. Sunday's offerings will include "Hand Tied Bouquets" at noon; "Floral Impact with Minimal Cost" at 1 p.m.; "Interpretive Floral Arranging" and an Iris slide presentation and lecture at 2 p.m.; "Table Settings Old & New" and "Floral Design," both at 3 p.m. An updated schedule of demonstrations will be posted in the museum lobby on the days of the event.

The Museum Club/Discovery Squad program has been nationally recognized by the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities as a "model program serving underserved youth during the after school hours." The Museum Club combines a commitment to the underserved children in the City of Albany with hands-on, interactive learning opportunities that are facilitated by museum staff and teenage graduates of the Museum Club known as the Discovery Squad. The Museum Club and Discovery Squad programs offer educational enrichment, tutoring, behind-the-scenes views of museum exhibitions and, for the teens, opportunities to work with scientists and other professionals as they prepare for college.

The admission fee for "New York in Bloom" is $3 for adults. There also will be a $5 combination ticket available that will also include admission to the 10th annual James Campbell Memorial Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show and Sale, which will be held at the museum the same weekend on Saturday, Feb. 22 and Sunday, Feb. 23. Admission is free for children 12 and under, accompanied by an adult. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

The New York State Museum is a cultural program of the New York State Department of Education. It is located on Madison Avenue in Albany. The museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the museum website at www.nysm.nysed.gov.