Posted March 27, 2025

Sixteen local floral designers artfully interpreted 12 works on view in the Vero Beach Museum of Art galleries for this year’s Art in Bloom exhibition and fundraiser. March 6 marked the event’s 15th year supporting VBMA’s mission to provide significant programming in the arts and humanities to our entire community. Proceeds support educational and community outreach programs for children and adults throughout Indian River County.

After viewing and voting on the arrangements, the nearly 400 attendees were greeted by VBMA Executive Director Brady Roberts and Luncheon Committee Co-chairs Courtney Kagan and Middy Perkins in Holmes Great Hall before a live flower arranging demonstration by acclaimed floral designer and author Sybil Brooke Sylvester.

Following the demonstration, awards were presented in six categories:

• Best Interpretation: Emily D’Andrea (inspired by Al Hirschfeld’s Sukeroku)
• Best Use of Rhythm: Liza Weihman and Anne Noonan (inspired by Todd Brandt’s Thawing Ground Series)
• Best Use of Texture: Julie Hermann (inspired by Punzante by res in collaboration with Constanza Piaggio)
• Best Use of Color: Audrey Zinman and Virginia Getz (inspired by Robert Farber’s Deterioration #117)
• Director’s Choice: Cress Meier and Christy Maxwell (inspired by Robert Farber’s Deterioration #138)
• Best in Show: Lee LaPointe (inspired by Dale Kennington’s In the Common Interest)

Thousands of guests who visited the Museum throughout the week enjoyed all 12 floral creations displayed next to the interpreted artwork. These included designs by Ginger DeSimone, Ann Jones, Barbara Kaytes, Nancy Ladd, Elaine Sigler, Ann Webber, and Arun Wijetilleke.

Presenting Sponsor: William and Carolyn Stutt

Supporting Sponsors: Noteworthy By Design, Nancy Kingsbury, and Emily Sherwood

Premier Sponsors: Roann Costin, Marcia Floyd, Courtney Kagan, Robin MacTaggart, and Patricia Petersen

Patron Sponsors: Hollis Forbes, Joan Hoben, Paula Shorts, and Beth Werwaiss

Season Sponsor: John’s Island Real Estate Company

Floral Sponsor: Scott and Molly Hurley

Benefactor Sponsors: Lisa Bullock, Liz Farnsworth, Marilynn J. Goldsmith, Elissa Holmes, Connie McGlynn, Brooke Megrue, Middy Perkins, Robert and Susan Smith, Kristine Trustey, and Teresa Winslow

Event Sponsors: Susie Brinckerhoff, Darling Construction, Barbara Detwiler, Kathy Flatley, Susan Hanson, Barbara Hathaway, Susan Hobbs, Susan Kasten, Lynne Uhalt Interiors, Jeanne Manley, Laura Lee Montross, Anne C. Noonan, Alden and Terry Pflager, Dhuanne Tansill, and Three Forks Ranch

Luncheon Committee Co-chairs: Courtney Kagan and Middy Perkins

Exhibition Co-chairs: Barb Kaytes and Julie Herrmann