Download Press Release (PDF)

CINCINNATI — November 12, 2024 —The Cincinnati Art Museum announces the 2025 Art in Bloom call for floral artists. The celebration of fine art and floral designs, which the museum hosted in Spring 2024 and is traditionally a biannual event, returns April 24–27, 2025. Prospective floral artists are encouraged to submit an application by January 10, 2025. A juried process will determine the final participants.

Art in Bloom 2025 will create themed activations tailored for museum visitors; identify vignettes, genres and artists throughout the museum to inspire floral artistry (rather than solely relying on individual pieces of art for inspiration); improve guest experience and discovery throughout the galleries and more. During the event, visitors can enjoy the selected florists’ creations throughout the galleries and grounds for free during the museum’s regular open hours. Art in Bloom will also include special programming and events, family-friendly activities and more, including a Drag Brunch. This year’s brunch will feature Laganja Estranja, a world renowned LGBTQIA+ icon known for her music and choreography.

This year’s Art in Bloom will also feature Alexis Nikole Nelson, also known as @Blackforager. Alexis is a Cincinnati born forager and outdoor educator who uses her platform to educate audiences about edible plants hiding in plain sight as well as African American and Indigenous food traditions that have historically been repressed. Her foraging tips, recipe videos and food history lessons have led Alexis to amass over 5 million dedicated fans across her social media platforms.

The floral artist jurors for the 2025 Art in Bloom are:

• Joshua Bickett, Director of Tiffany & Co. Cincinnati
• Julian Collins, also known as Julian Creates, Public Health Professional and Menswear Designer
• Hatsue, Japanese American Photographer
• 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
• Rachael Parker, ArtsWave’s Director of Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking

For detailed profiles of each juror, visit the Art in Bloom webpage to learn more.

Art in Bloom again features Natasja Sadi, an Amsterdam-based floral artist whose breathtaking arrangements, inspired by Dutch masters and crafted from both fresh and photo-realistic sugar flowers, often find their home in Delftware vessels. Discover more in her book A Sweet Floral Life and follow her on Instagram @cakeatelieramsterdam.

“The floral artistry achieved during the 2024 Art in Bloom event was incredibly exciting. Opening up the borders for floral artists to participate regardless of location and regardless of skill level and background truly diversified the resulting floral creations,” noted Ann M. Keeling, Cincinnati Art Museum Chair of Art in Bloom 2025 and President of Cristofoli Keeling, Inc. “And it was very rewarding to see such a diverse audience attending the wide array of Art in Bloom events over the four-day weekend. And even more activations aimed at inclusivity and excitement are planned for 2025,” she continued.

Professional, aspiring and hobby floral artists from around the globe are encouraged to apply. Those interested in participating in Art in Bloom 2025 must complete and submit an online application by January 10, 2025. Selected artists will be contacted in late January and are required to participate in an informational meeting to be an Art in Bloom floral artist.

For more information, visit the Art in Bloom webpage and application form.

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.

# # #