Spring arrives in full color at the R.W. Norton Art Gallery this month as the museum prepares to open the 10th anniversary of Bloom, one of its most anticipated exhibitions of the year.
The show opens March 26 and will remain on display through May 17.
Opening Reception
An opening reception will take place Thursday, March 26 from 5 to 7 p.m., welcoming the public to experience the exhibition alongside live music, complimentary refreshments, and a festive indoor and outdoor atmosphere. The annual reception is traditionally the museum’s largest event of the year, drawing between 500 to 600 attendees. For its 10th anniversary, organizers say they are planning an even bigger celebration, including a special project in the gardens that will remain a surprise until the event.
This year’s exhibition features 63 artists selected from 586 submissions, the largest submission pool in Bloom’s history. Artists submitted work from 29 states and nine countries, highlighting the show’s growing national and international reputation. The resulting collection reflects an eclectic range of subject matter and artistic mediums, all inspired by themes of nature, growth, and the spirit of spring.
A four-member jury carefully reviews every submission before selecting the works that will appear in the exhibition. After the artwork is displayed, the jurors return to award prizes, with winners announced at 5 p.m. during the opening reception. Approximately $10,000 in cash prizes will be awarded.
Typically, the exhibition accepts 50 pieces each year, but this year the jury found it difficult to narrow the field. With such a strong pool of submissions, organizers expanded the number of accepted pieces to accommodate more artists.
Bloom’s Beginnings
The idea behind Bloom was simple when it began. “Bloom is a way to bring the experience of the botanical gardens inside the museum,” shared Emily Young Feazel. “We wanted to highlight artists the community may not have heard of and provide an ecletic splash of springtime and happiness.”
Over the years, Bloom has grown drastically. The very first exhibition featured just 25 works by artists from the Shreveport-Bossier area and occupied a single corridor of the museum. Today, the exhibition spans three gallery spaces and has evolved into an international show that includes both emerging artists and widely recognized professionals.
The diversity of artists remains one of the exhibition’s defining features. Some participants are showing their work publicly for the first time, while others are nationally known artists. The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to see a wide range of artistic expression, displayed side by side.
Despite its expanding reach, Bloom continues to highlight the strength of the local arts community. More than half of the artists featured this year are from Shreveport Bossier, a result made even more remarkable by the blind jury process used during selection.
Exhibition Details
Bloom is free to attend and open to visitors of all ages. Following the opening reception, guests can view the exhibition Thursday through Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. The museum will also host public tours of Bloom during the run of the exhibition, with tour schedules available on the Norton’s website.
Live entertainment during the opening reception will feature electric violinist Q Major and musician Haley Brooke.
Looking Ahead
The Norton also has another exhibition planned for April. A pop up show featuring Austin-based artist and muralist Jason Archer will open April 16.
Archer is known for his satirical style and distinctive Southwestern influence. His career includes directing an animated project that earned both a Grammy Award and an MTV Video of the Year honor. The artist also has ties to the region, as his wife is originally from Shreveport.
Together, these exhibitions continue the Norton’s mission of connecting the local community with artists from around the world while celebrating creativity across a variety of mediums and forms.
