Art in Bloom at the North Carolina Museum of Art

Most recently updated April 24th, 2026

“Art in Bloom” is an annual fundraiser at the North Carolina Museum of Art, taking place March 18-22, 2026.

Beautiful florals at Art in Bloom
Beautiful florals at Art in Bloom

More than 50 floral designers from across North Carolina and beyond will interpret artwork and objects in the NCMA’s People’s Collection during this five-day festival of florals.

This year’s theme, “Written in the Stars”, is reflected in 14 gallery installations inspired by the zodiac’s astrological signs and their various meanings.

I was lucky enough to be invited to a media “sneak preview” of the exhibit before it opened.  And I have to say,  if you can find a way to get there – do it!!

Opening remarks at the Art in Bloom media preview.
Opening remarks at the Art in Bloom media preview.

As the NCMA’s largest annual fundraiser, Art in Bloom supports the museum’s public programming, annual exhibitions and the NCMA Foundation, Inc.

(PNC Bank returns as the founding presenting sponsor of Art in Bloom.)

The five-day event also includes floral workshops, lectures and programs as well as special extended hours and expanded food options.

See more information on related events by visiting ncartmuseum.org/artinbloom.

Sculptures in the West Building host Art in Bloom
Sculptures in the West Building host Art in Bloom

Admission is now SOLD OUT to Art in Bloom at the NCMA, March 18-22, 2026.

BUT THERE’S STILL A WAY TO SEE IT!

For a chance to see Art in Bloom plus more, purchase a raffle ticket here.

Also, see the “Art in Bloom” promo page on the NCMA website, for other upcoming Art in Bloom-related events, and Membership information.

NCMA Art in Bloom Information

Art in Bloom themed items are available at the Gallery store in the West building.
Art in Bloom themed items are available at the Gallery store in the West building.

Gallery of Art in Bloom Photos

All of the photos in this article were snaps I took at the preview of the artworks presented at that time.   

Designers finishing up for the show.
Designers finishing up for the show.

During the show, we’re only supposed to use photos of the installations for personal use – seems fair, right?

So I’ll open my exhibit photo Gallery next week, after the event is officially closed.

UPDATE:  The show is over, so I’ve added a link below to my personal photo gallery of the event.

Click here to enjoy the photos 🙂

Sculpture gallery at the NCMA
Sculpture gallery at the NCMA

About the North Carolina Museum of Art

The North Carolina Museum of Art’s collection spans more than 5,000 years, from antiquity to the present, making the institution one of the premier art museums in the South.

The NCMA collection provides educational, aesthetic, intellectual and cultural experiences for the citizens of North Carolina and beyond.

The museum is located at 2110 Blue Ridge Rd. in Raleigh and is home to the People’s Collection.

Last minute touches before the show!
Last minute touches before the show!

Just a word about parking at the NCMA during Art in Bloom – even if you’re just there to go to the park – it will be terrible! 

If you can park at a nearby location, and walk in, it will be much better for you ! 🙂

About the NCMA Art Park

The 164-acre Museum Park showcases the connection between art and nature through site-specific works of environmental art.

Whirligig sculpture and remaining smokestack in NCMA Art Park
Whirligig sculpture and remaining smokestack in NCMA Art Park

The museum park offers changing special exhibitions, classes, lectures, family activities, films and concerts.

Continue reading Art in Bloom at the North Carolina Museum of Art

Tour Apple Hill Farm near Grandfather Mountain!

Most recently updated October 15th, 2024

Estimated Reading Time: 13 minutes

Apple Hill Farm is very close to Grandfather Mountain and other areas of North Carolina and Virginia that were hardest hit by Hurricane Helene.

Grandfather Mountain State Park, along with many other NC State Parks are closed.  That said, many of the surrounding communities are open for business and could really use your Fall vacation dollars to help rebuild!  So please check with Apple Hill Farm directly.

Go to my Hurricane Helene page to get the latest updates on the latest area Park, Trail and road repairs. 

Mists rise from the mountains after a summer rain.
Smoky Mountains get their name from the mist that settles in the valleys.

I found Apple Hill Farm  – a working Alpaca textile farm – when I was hiking out in the Grandfather Mountain area  few weeks ago.   

I was looking for an activity to take a break from hiking (uphill!) in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, but was still outdoors.

Apple Hill Farm was the perfect find!   It’s a working textile farm on the site of an old apple orchard that offers farm tours, and even has a fiber gift shop on site.

Alpaca graze at Apple Hill Farm.
Alpaca graze at Apple Hill Farm.

The farm was started in 2002 by a single Mom (and cancer survivor) with just 2 pregnant female alpacas and one young male.

Today Apple Hill Farm is home to 9 kinds of animals:  alpacas, llamas, angora goats, zebu cattle, horses, pigs, donkeys, chickens, and livestock guardian dogs.

The farm site includes 15 fields, 4 barns, and a farm store on 43 acres of land. 

They’re still a working textile farm, and lucky for us, they now also give visitors educational tours of the farm all year round. 

Read on to learn about my tour, and how you can visit too.

Continue reading Tour Apple Hill Farm near Grandfather Mountain!

Hike, Bike or Just Relax at the North Carolina Museum of Art Park

Most recently updated September 17th, 2024

Signpost on the Green trail at the edge of the NCMA park.
Signpost on the Green trail at the edge of the NCMA park.

The North Carolina Museum of Art Park has been a tremendous gift to the whole Raleigh community.

The park’s trails and open lawns, ponds and pools, larger than life outdoor art, plus the amphitheater and outdoor movie screen provide a beautiful open air gathering place for everyone.

NOTE: We were just named a local NCMA expert on ApartmentGuide.   

Read the full article here: Unique Things To Do in Raleigh, NC 

I’ve gotten a lot of good use from the safe – and inexpensive – outdoor activities for kids the Museum Park has made available over the years.

From the time my daughter was in kindergarten through her college years  – and even now as a young adult in the community –  the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) and the Museum Park events and grounds have been a big part of both of our lives.

Continue reading Hike, Bike or Just Relax at the North Carolina Museum of Art Park

Outdoor Activities for Kids at M&M Alpaca Farm!

Most recently updated January 16th, 2022

A few months ago, I decided to do a tour of local farms and animal rescues that would be fun outdoor activities for kids.   

I planned to visit and preview the places, then post outdoor activity ideas for families to use during their kids’ school breaks.

Entrance sign at M&M Alpaca Farm
Entrance sign at M&M Alpaca Farm

So, I tapped into the Facebook hive-mind for some local outdoor activity ideas

My friends came back with all sorts of great recommendations – most having something to do with goats, llamas, and alpacas –  but also a lot of breweries, wineries and meaderies.   Hmmm.  Anyway…

So, I trimmed out all of the adult beverages (that will be a different set of posts!) and made a list of places to go see.  

For my first visit, I narrowed it down to alpaca farms near me, specifically looking for an alpaca farm tour.

And that’s how I found M&M Alpaca Farm.  Although M&M offers free self-guided tours of the farm,  I opted for a scheduled guided tour for just a few dollars.  I’m very glad I did!

Continue reading Outdoor Activities for Kids at M&M Alpaca Farm!