The Black Mountain Center for the Arts (BMCA) is proud to announce the return of its most celebrated annual fundraiser, Art in Bloom, taking place throughout June 2026. This year’s edition carries special significance as it marks the 20th anniversary of the beloved event — two decades of uniting nature and creativity in support of community arts programming across Western North Carolina and the Swannanoa Valley. With Event Partner Explore Asheville and a dedicated network of community sponsors, the 2026 celebration promises to be a landmark spectacle at the intersection of fine art and professional floral design.
A Month-Long Celebration of Art and Nature
The festivities open with the Regional Artist Exhibit, on view in the BMCA gallery from June 1 through June 17. This curated showcase features works across two- and three-dimensional media from the region’s most talented artists. The exhibition serves as the creative foundation for the event’s signature floral component, in which local Western and Ikebana floral designers are each assigned a specific painting or sculpture and challenged to translate its visual narrative into an original living arrangement.
The excitement reaches its peak on the evening of Thursday, June 18, with First Bloom — an exclusive, ticketed sneak peek offering guests the chance to experience the completed floral exhibit at its absolute freshest. Discounted tickets are available for BMCA members. Attendees will enjoy an evening of desserts and drinks while mingling with the regional artists and floral designers whose work fills the gallery.
“Experiencing the floral art alongside the visual artwork is truly magical,” said BMCA Board President Mary Fallert. “Every year, I’m blown away by the creativity and beauty of the work.”
The main gallery opens to the public June 19 through June 21, welcoming visitors to explore the full floral exhibit in a spectacular walkthrough where nature masterfully imitates fine art.
Garden Tour and Plein Air Painting
On June 19 and 20, the celebration moves outdoors with a self-guided tour of inspiring private gardens tucked throughout Black Mountain. Plein air artists will be stationed within the gardens, painting the lush landscapes in real time. These works, along with additional plein air pieces from the Swannanoa Valley Art League, will be displayed in a closing Art from the Garden exhibition at BMCA later in the month.
Supporting the Arts in Western North Carolina
As BMCA’s largest and most critical fundraiser of the year, Art in Bloom directly sustains the nonprofit’s year-round mission of bringing arts to the people and people to the arts. Proceeds fund public exhibitions, live theater performances, and a wide range of educational programs — ensuring that creative opportunities remain accessible and affordable for residents throughout the region.
Tickets, full schedule details, and sponsorship opportunities are available at blackmountainarts.org/artinbloom or in person at BMCA, 225 West State Street, Black Mountain, NC.
