Number: 16. That’s how many days are left before Mother’s Day, coming up this year on Sun., May 8. Ready to stop stressing about plans? Enter: Art Blossoms, a bloom-splosive event happening Thurs., May 5-Sun., May 8, 2022, at the Columbia Museum of Art. 🌸

Held annually on Mother’s Day weekend, this unique fundraising exhibition (read: every ticket purchased helps fund award-winning arts education + programming in the Midlands) features floral interpretations of fine art inside + outside the museum during regular hours, plus special events, classes, demonstrations, and more.

Create gorgeous floral pieces with your best buds. | Photo by @kaoslackk

Bonus: This year, the CMA is collaborating with local partner organizations Blue Bike SC, Historic Columbia, and Richland Library to bring the Art Blossoms experience beyond the museum walls with botanical adventures around the city.

Here are a few must-do Art Blossoms events we have our irises on. Mark your cal-la-lilies + bring your mums, buds, or even y-orchids to:

Art Blossoms Opening Celebration | Wed., May 4, 2022 | 6-8 p.m. | Get an exclusive preview before Art Blossoms opens to the public while enjoying hors d’oeuvres from 8th Wonder Cuisine, specialty cocktails, and live music in the open air of Boyd Plaza. 🍸
Botany ArtBreak with Dr. John Nelson | Thurs., May 5, 2022 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Gift your green-thumbed girlfriend with a crash course on plant diversity. Bonus: Treat her to a drink from Azalea Coffee Bar, who will also be selling refreshments each day at a pop-up café inside the museum. 🌿
Flower Pedals: A Botanical Bike Parade | Fri., May 6, 2022 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Decorate your bikes (or Blue Bike SC rentals) with floral craft supplies and enjoy a ride to the Boyd Foundation Horticultural Center for a tour before heading back to the CMA for drinks + charcuterie. 🚲

Petal around the city on your own wheels or rent from Blue Bike SC. | Photo by @glennab28

T’Wine & Design | Sat., May 7, 2022 | 6-8 p.m. | Create a celebration-worthy arrangement with floral designer and artist Dave Robbins of Woodley’s Garden Center while sipping on fun, floral drinks. 🍷
Art Blossoms Brunch | Sun., May 8, 2022 | 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. + 1-3 p.m. | Enjoy botanically-inspired cocktails and a decadent brunch buffet from Southern Way Catering on beautiful Boyd Plaza or in the CMA Reception Gallery. 🍽️

Enjoy floral interpretations of fine works of art during Art Blossoms. | Photo provided

See the full list of events happening during Art Blossoms weekend (and pro tip: register in advance to avoid sellouts).*