Last weekend was Cathedral in Bloom weekend, when local floral artists fill the Cathedral with their creations in response to the Cathedral’s art-filled interior.

Those familiar with the Cathedral and its unique character born of the integrity of its design for worship supported by the efforts of individual, often identifiable, artists and artisans, feel its happiness when it is full of people and thanksgiving, as it is at events such as Lessons and Carols and Cathedral in Bloom—times when the swell of human hearts toward every line sung and bud bursting is most heard and seen.

On Friday, I gave a pastel drawing demonstration on the Flowers of Redon, during which we explored what a Symbolist treatment of flowers means aesthetically, technically, spiritually ……

A floral arrangement shows the essence of a bloom as a stone carving shows natural form. An artist’s response to these is a showing of what is elemental while it is something new.

On Saturday we hosted an Open Studio for artists, and Albany’s Urban Sketchers came—a group dedicated to drawing from direct observation and with each other.

They and other artists have graciously shared their work for this post……

(You can read a meditation on Glory and see photos from last year’s Cathedral in Bloom HERE.)

We look forward to seeing you at Cathedral in Bloom 2024!