PITTSBURGH, PA.- The Women’s Committee of Carnegie Museum of Art presents Art in Bloom, a celebration of art and fresh flowers, from April 16 to 18, 2009. Floral designers from area garden clubs and non-profit organizations, as well as selected individuals, will create floral arrangements inspired by and placed alongside paintings, sculpture, furniture, and decorative arts from Carnegie Museum of Art’s collection. The flowers will be displayed throughout the museum galleries during the three-day fundraising event. Noteworthy local florists will also decorate the public spaces on the ground level of the museum. Highlights of Art in Bloom include a preview gala, cocktail party, lecture by noted floral designer Ron Morgan followed by a luncheon, and children’s activities.

Preview Gala
Thursday, April 16, features a preview gala from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Attendees can view the spectacular floral designs in the galleries mere hours after their creation. Tickets to the preview gala are $1,200 at the Patron level; $600 at the Sponsor level; $300 at the Benefactor level; and $125 for standard tickets. Patron guests will enjoy four tickets apiece to each scheduled event, including the preview gala, Ron Morgan lecture and luncheon, and Cocktails Go Green party; Sponsor guests will receive two tickets each to scheduled events; and guests at the Benefactor level will enjoy one ticket to the events. In addition, guests at the Patron, Sponsor, and Benefactor levels will have unlimited admission to Art in Bloom and Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History during the run of the exhibition.

Ron Morgan Lecture and Luncheon
Friday, April 17, includes a lecture by Ron Morgan, celebrity floral designer, at 11 a.m. in Carnegie Music Hall. Morgan is a renowned lecturer and designer, as well as the author of four books. He has designed windows for the British Harrod’s department stores and David Jones retail shops in Australia. During his lecture and demonstration titled “In the Company of Flowers,” Morgan will create floral arrangements on stage while discussing style, trends, and tricks of the trade. The lecture will be followed by a luncheon in the Music Hall Foyer. Ticket prices for the lecture and luncheon are $50 per person. A special package price of $40 per person will be offered to groups of 10 or more, and requires advance registration. Autographed copies of Ron Morgan’s book In the Company of Flowers will be available for sale.

Cocktails Go Green
Friday, April 17, presents a casual, hip, cocktail party, Cocktails Go Green, from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. The event will feature exotic botanical cocktails and themed food. Guests are invited to tour the galleries until 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person or $50 per person at the door.

Celebrate Earth Day! A Day of Fun for Families
Saturday, April 18, is family day, featuring floral-themed activities for children and families. Kids can celebrate Earth Day (April 22) and Art in Bloom with Carnegie Museum of Art’s ARTventures program, where there will be gallery searches for floral displays and works of art, and hands-on art-making using recycled materials to create original flower forms. Activities are free with museum admission.