Press

ALBANY, NY – Spring will arrive early February 24-26 at the New York State Museum where visitors will find more than 105 thematic floral displays positioned throughout the galleries for the 21st annual “New York in Bloom” fundraiser benefiting the Museum’s award-winning after-school programs.

The Museum will be open Friday through Sunday for this special event, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year the Museum is celebrating the 25th birthday of its after-school programs. Admission will be $5 each day of the event. Children aged 12 and under will get in free when accompanied by an adult. There is a separate $4 admission this year for the 19th annual James Campbell Memorial Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show and Sale February 25-26.

Garden club members, professional designers and floral enthusiasts from the Capital District and beyond will create unique floral arrangements that complement and interpret the museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions. The event also will feature table displays created by local interior designers and home furnishing stylists, florists and event specialists. There also will be demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday and children’s activities Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A flower market will also be open in the lobby area on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., while supplies last.

David Michael Schmidt of Renaissance Floral Design and Events will transform the front window area of the Museum lobby, incorporating furniture from the Museum’s collections. Seagroatt Riccardi, LTD will create a floral arrangement to complement the circa 1903 Weebermobile in the “From the Collections” exhibition. Also new this year will be a display of colorful hats and bonnets (circa 1860s to 1970s), all decorated with flowers, from the Museum’s collections. Exhibitors will create floral arrangements to complement the hats, which will be located in the “Fifth Avenue” area of New York Metropolis.

Food will be available from the Lunch Box Café on the concourse level on Friday and Saturday. Classe Catering will serve light luncheon fare in Adirondack Wilderness gallery.

Table displays in Bird Hall will include a special one created by Audrey Hawkins and Fort Orange Garden Club members to honor Ginny Kopp of Loudonville, a 23-year member of the club and the longtime chairperson of the “New York in Bloom” committee. Also doing table displays in that area are Douglas Fisher of Designs by Douglas, Barbara Guyette of All the Right Ingredients by W & P Enterprises, Craig R. Waltz, Jr. of Fleurelite Floral Design and Donald Bennett of White Cottage Gardens. Rudy Grant and David Siders of Experience and Creative Design will create a table display in the Adirondack Wilderness corridor in front of the Native Peoples sign.

Topics and times of demonstrations on Saturday are: “Accessible Gardening,” 10 to 11 a.m.; “What Comes Naturally,” 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; “Teas and Flowers: Creating Teas and Edible Flowers,” 1 to 2 p.m.; “Bouquets in Your Hands,” 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and “Designing Organically,” 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday demonstrations will include “Climate Change in the Garden,” 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.; ”Floral Design Using Recycled and Natural Elements,” 12 to 1 p.m.; “Sogetsu –Japanese Flower Arranging,” 1 to 2 p.m. and “Designing and Starting a Perennial Garden,” 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

“Creative Crafting” activities for children will be held Friday and Saturday, focusing on “Flower Pins” from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and “Flower Rings” from 2 to 3 p.m. Face Painting will be offered Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

“New York in Bloom” is a primary funding source for the nationally recognized, educational after-school programs -- the Museum Club and Discovery Squad. Since 1987 the after-school programs have provided tutoring and educational enrichment opportunities for youths from Albany’s underserved neighborhoods. Students receive homework help and reading support and participate in interactive projects involving Museum exhibitions. In the Discovery Squad, teens receive essential job training, academic and personal support, explore higher education opportunities and gain confidence as they serve the Museum in various work environments.

Supporters of “New York in Bloom” include Price Chopper, community partner; Ambiance Florals and Events and Quality Retail Systems.

Established in 1836, the State Museum is a program of the State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education. Located on Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free, Further information can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the Museum website at www.nysm.nysed.gov.