Flourish: A National Juried Exhibition Featuring Floral and Botanical Artworks
- March 19, 2022 - April 16, 2022
Flourish is an exhibition of artworks that feature floral and botanical artworks from across the country.
The call reached 39 states. 268 artists submitted for a total of 996 submissions. d’Art’s Gallery Manager, and the juror selected 65 pieces from 58 artists from 25 states!
This is a juried exhibition, and was co-curated by gallery manager Amanda Bradley, and exhibition juror and artist, Diane Husson.
Diane Husson is a Norfolk sculptor who explores the fusion of art, functionality, and her love of trees when she creates her sculpted concrete garden furniture. She is considered one of very few artists in the world to be considered a master faux bois (“false wood” in French) furnituremaker. Her one-of-a-kind benches, tables, and chairs, which are sculpted to appear to be made of actual branches and vines, are commissioned by art collectors throughout the country. Her artistic creations have been featured in Veranda, House Beautiful, The World of Interiors, Southern Home, Florida Design and Virginia Living.
Diane studied figurative sculpture at the Florence Academy of Art, and before becoming an art furnituremaker she was a nationally published and award-winning ceramic artist/master tilemaker and a painter/illustrator.
In addition to creating works for private art collectors for the past 32 years, Diane has completed several ceramic murals for the City of Norfolk and Virginia Beach, and her ceramic murals and paintings are in the collections of Virginia Beach General Hospital, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD) and Tidewater Community College.
Her faux furniture can be seen at www.fauxboisfurniture.com
The opening reception of Flourish is the same day as the Historic Garden Tour in Norfolk, and the reception will be a wonderful place for tour goers to end their day. Additionally, local Garden Club Members will select artworks from the exhibition and create flower arrangements inspired by the work that will be revealed at the Flourish reception!
The d’Art Center is partnering with the Historic Garden Club of Norfolk during the Historic Garden Week Tour to offer programming in relation to the tour:
Here is a list of all the programming surrounding Flourish and the Historic Garden Tour on April 28th:
11am - 3pm - Flourish Make and Take
Make your own gorgeous flower arrangement for a $20 donation. Patrons can donate at the door, or in advance.
1pm - 2pm - Artist Talk with Exhibiting Vault Artist, Rebecca King Hawkinson
Join exhibiting d'Art Vault Artist, Rebecca King Hawkinson in the artist lounge and Vault at The Center from 1p-2pm and learn about her work, process, and influences! Free and open to the public, but please RSVP at www.d-artcenter.org/rsvp.html
5:30 - 7:30 pm - Flourish Opening Reception
Join us for snacks, wine, cold drinks, and awards while enjoying the botanical artworks in the exhibitions. d'Art received 996 submissions for Flourish, and d’Art’s Gallery Manager, and the juror selected 65 pieces from 58 artists from 25 states for the show. Additionally, local Garden Club Members will create flower arrangements inspired by the work in the exhibition that will be revealed at the Flourish reception!
5:30 - 7:30 pm - Reception Make and Take Tissue Paper Bouquets
For a donation of $10, you’ll learn how to create your own beautiful tissue paper bouquet. Stop by anytime from 5:30PM to 7:30PM to participate in this floral-inspired craft! Donate at the door or in advance.
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There is also further programming during the Flourish Exhibit after the Garden Tour and Reception day:
April 30th - 10am
1pm Macrame Plant Hanger Workshop
April 30th - 1pm - 3pm
April Showers Bring May Flowers Zentangle Class
May 7th - 10am - 3pm
Flourish Flowers Oil Painting Class
May 7th - 11:30am - 12:30pm
Cool Creations Kids Class, Honey Pots and Bee and Ladybug Paint Dips
Visit www.d-artcenter.org/events.html for more information and ticket links!