Four-day April event to feature social media star Alexis Nikole Nelson and celebrated floral artist Natasja Sadi

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CINCINNATI — March 7, 2025 — The Cincinnati Art Museum is excited to announce additional details about the return of Art in Bloom and its related programming. The four-day celebration, Thursday, April 24 through Sunday, April 27, 2025, brings together the talents of 65 floral artists from across the globe, showcasing their vibrant and innovative floral designs inspired by the museum’s collection. Of note, the event will feature social media superstar Alexis Nikole Nelson aka Black Forager and will again host Amsterdam-based, world-renowned floral photographer, sugar flower artist, and author of A Sweet Floral Life, Natasja Sadi.

A jury selected the 65 floral artists whose works will grace the museum’s galleries. The floral artists are professional, aspiring and hobby floral artists who will showcase their unique designs during the fundraising weekend of events, including a floral artist from Italy. See a complete list of floral artists on the event webpage.

Jury members included Joshua Bickett, Director of Tiffany & Co. Cincinnati; Julian Collins also known as Julian Creates, Public Health Professional and Menswear Designer; Hatsue, Japanese American Photographer based in Cincinnati; Lea Lachey, Director of LacheyArts in Cincinnati; Lyric-Morris-Latchaw, Contemporary Oil Painter, Muralist, and Farmer; Teruko Nesbitt, Cultural Program Coordinator, Japan American Society of Greater Cincinnati; and Rachael Parker, ArtsWave’s Director of Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking. 

This year’s festivities, led by Ann M. Keeling, President of Cristofoli Keeling, Inc. and co-chair Litany Webster, Senior Manager of Regulatory Compliance, The Kroger Co., includes family-friendly programs and a robust schedule of diverse events (see full schedule below).

Art in Bloom will feature special guest Alexis Nikole Nelson, also known as Black Forager—a Cincinnati born forager and educator who uses her social media platforms to educate audiences about edible plants and the importance of food traditions from African American and Indigenous cultures. Her engaging foraging tips and insightful food history lessons have garnered her a significant following, amassing over 5 million fans on Tik Tok and Instagram.

“Art in Bloom 2024 saw record attendance at the Cincinnati Art Museum with most of our ticketed events selling out immediately. This year, we’ve added more events with our diverse audiences in mind, both ticketed and free to encourage as much engagement as possible,” noted Ann M. Keeling, 2025 Art in Bloom Chair. “Feedback from visitors during Art in Bloom last year was overwhelmingly positive—and it was incredibly rewarding to see the joy and experience the energy in the museum,” she continued.

Visitors can enjoy Art in Bloom’s floral displays throughout the museum’s galleries for free during regular museum hours that weekend (general admission and parking are also free). Some Art in Bloom-related events and programs will require tickets. Select presale tickets will be available for museum members beginning Friday, March 14. General public tickets will be available beginning Friday, March 21.

The museum recommends that visitors planning to dine at the Terrace Café that weekend make reservations due to anticipated demand. Reserve a table by calling 513-639-2986. Online reservations are not available. Box lunches will be available for purchase in the Great Hall (while supplies last). Picnic in the Park packages can be ordered by calling 513-639-2986 (if ordered 24 hours in advance).

Free, docent-led tours of Art in Bloom’s floral arrangements will occur at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Art in Bloom weekend. Meet in the Main Lobby to join the tour. These tours cannot accommodate groups of 10 or more. To take a tour with a group of 10+ people, please call 513-639-2975 to reserve a time.

Pre-Art in Bloom Event Schedule

(Schedule subject to change. Visit cincinnatiartmuseum.org/artinbloom for updates):

Monday, April 7

• 5:30–7 p.m. | Paper Flower Making with Kristin Joiner*

Wednesday, April 9

• 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Create Your Own Fascinator with Stacey Vest*

Friday, April 11

• Noon–2 p.m. | Ikebana Floral Design with Teruko Nesbitt*

Art in Bloom Weekend of Events Schedule

(Schedule subject to change. Visit cincinnatiartmuseum.org/artinbloom for updates):

Thursday, April 24

• 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Sugar Flower Art Installation by Natasja Sadi
• 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | “Drop-in” family art making activity in the Rosenthal Education Center (REC): Create flowers and flower crowns out of tissue paper and chenille stems
• 2–4 p.m. | Meet the Art in Bloom Floral Artists
• 6–9 p.m. | Art in Bloom: A Wine & Floral Soirée*

Friday, April 25

• 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Art in Bloom Preview Floral Luncheon*
• 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Sugar Flower Making Workshop with Natasja Sadi*
• 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | “Drop-in” family art making in the REC
• 2–4 p.m. | Sugar Flower Making Workshop with Natasja Sadi*
• 5–9 p.m. | Art After Dark In Bloom

Saturday, April 26

• 10 a.m.–noon | Steeped in Love Tea Party with The Bonbonerie*
• 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | “Drop-in” family art making in the REC
• Noon–1 p.m. | Lecture with Natasja Sadi*
• 2–4 p.m. | Happy Snacking… Don’t Die! Lecture with Alexis Nikole Nelson aka Black Forager*

Sunday, April 27

• 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Blooming Brunch Extravaganza with the Queens presented by the CAM Catalysts (21+)*
• 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | “Drop-in” family art making in the REC
• 1:30–3:30 p.m. | The Queens’ Blooming Bash (21+)*
• 4 p.m. | Art in Bloom Floral Artist Toast, Closing Awards, and Fresh Flower Sale

*Ticketed.

Art in Bloom is sponsored by The Oliver Family Foundation; Cincinnati MINI; and Natorp’s Nursery Outlet & Landscaping. See a complete list of sponsors on the event webpage.   

About the Cincinnati Art Museum

The Cincinnati Art Museum features a diverse, encyclopedic art collection of more than 73,000 works spanning 6,000 years. In addition to displaying its own broad collection, the museum conducts extensive research and creates and organizes several exhibitions each year. It also hosts national and international traveling exhibitions. Through these critical projects and art-related programs, activities, and special events, the museum contributes to a more vibrant Cincinnati by inspiring its people and connecting its communities.

The Cincinnati Art Museum is supported by the generosity of individuals and businesses that give annually to ArtsWave. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Cincinnati Art Museum with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Cincinnati Art Museum gratefully acknowledges operating support from the City of Cincinnati, as well as its members. Free general admission to the Cincinnati Art Museum is made possible by a gift from the Rosenthal Family Foundation. Exhibition pricing may vary. Generous support for the museum’s extended Thursday hours is provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program. Parking at the Cincinnati Art Museum is free. More information is available at cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

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