A Hit Parade of Art in Bloom

The three galleries at the Marco Island Center of the Arts were in bloom on April 10 with the breathtaking beauty of floral interpretations inspired not by masterpieces but by local adult students and students from Marco Island Academy art classes. The Calusa Garden Club members created the arrangements and according to Sara Wolf, chair of the Art in Bloom Committee, there were 20 exhibitor floral designers, each receiving a Certificate of Recognition for their floral designs. 

A big thank you to the Art in Bloom 2026 Committee: Nanette Baumgardner, Liz Clancy, Austine Frawley, Maura Kelley, Kimberly Porter, and Maria Tela. Also, kudos to the floral instructors, Lindy Kowalczyk and Bonnie Coleman.   

Donna Kay received the People’s Choice Award for her creative interpretation of a painting by Christine Abrams, a watercolor of a rosette spoonbill in flight. Kay’s plant materials were very simple; dried Lady Palm leaves accented by a giant mum displayed on top of a piece of driftwood – just three plant materials! 

Guests who came in for the one-day show feasted their eyes on the diverse array of local floral designs. 

The Calusa Garden Club is also celebrating over 40 years sustained by its dedicated members, many who are passionate about the environment. With their pruning shears and a collective knowledge of Florida-friendly gardening, butterflies, and pollinators, they spread the love of gardening. 

Members who are transplants from someplace and call Marco home part of the year join their friends and colleagues to get their hands dirty with Florida’s challenging soil.  “Right plant, right place” is drummed into their subconscious, meaning if you want to achieve a healthy, low-maintenance landscape, you have to start by putting the right plant in the right place. Once these plants are established, they will require minimal water and fertilizer, with no use of pesticides. Members will also direct you to helpful websites for any of your gardening questions.   

The Calusa Garden Club is active year-round with its commitment to educational outreach, such as: 

Florida Arbor Day: They celebrate it in January which commemorates Florida’s Arbor Day planting with a native Florida-friendly tree in Leigh Plummer Memorial Park. 

Flowers in Public Places: You may see their displays at Marco Island City Hall, Marco Island Public Library, and the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce, just to name a few. 

Calusa Butterfly Garden: This garden is a city-owned park and specializes in plants that attract local butterfly species such as the Monarch Butterfly. 

And sowing the seeds of tomorrow, the Calusa Garden Club awards a yearly scholarship to two or more high school seniors! 

For more information, visit the club’s website at www.calusa.org.