2026 Art In Bloom Designer Guidelines
Designer Guidelines
Thank you for your interest in participating in the Portland Museum of Art’s 2026 Art in Bloom. The following guidelines have been developed to ensure the security of the artwork and for the safety and enjoyment of the visitors. We thank you for donating your time and talent to make this event a great success! Please carefully review these guidelines prior to committing to this event.
Art in Bloom will be on view at the Portland Museum of Art from March 25th - 29th, 2026.
Works of Art Selection and Assignment
Communication about your participation in Art in Bloom will be with the Events Specialist:
Email: mfichtel@portlandmuseum.org
Mail or drop off: Meghan Fichtel, Portland Museum of Art, 99 Spring Street, Portland, ME 04101
All complete applications received prior to November 30, 2025
at 11:59 p.m. will be reviewed. If you are selected to participate, we will contact you by January 15, 2026.
At that time, you will receive a list of available artworks, and you will be asked to indicate your first, second, and third choices of locations and artworks that appear
on the Art in Bloom checklist. This form is due back to Meghan by January 24, 2026. Every effort will be made to accommodate your preferred selections, but the PMA does not guarantee that all requests will be met.
Works of art currently on view may be seen in person during PMA business hours.
Designers will receive confirmation of their assigned artwork by February 7, 2026. Please note that available artworks and locations are subject to change between January 1, 2026 and March 2026. If any changes affect your assigned artwork/location, the PMA will inform you of those changes as soon as possible.
Design
Designs should express the essence or spirit of the assigned artwork or architecture.
Most floral arrangements will be viewed from all sides. Consider this when designing your piece.
Designs shall not exceed 24 inches in height (including container) above the top of the pedestal and shall not extend laterally beyond the pedestal in any direction more than 15 inches. No hanging designs are permitted.
Designers will provide a list of materials used in their arrangement.
Plant Material, Containers, and Accessories
Only fresh and/or dried plant material may be used. Dried material must be limited to no more than 15% of the design.
Due to climate control, safety, and pest concerns, the PMA prohibits the following in the designs: food, soil/dirt, mosses (except artificial moss, Spanish moss, and reindeer moss), sod, ice sculptures, balloons, bubbles, confetti, dry rice, glitter, dyed or colored water, and shells that have not been fully dried out.
All stamens must be removed before materials or arrangements enter the museum. Designers authorize PMA registrars to remove any stamens that become exposed as flowers bloom throughout the week.
No glue or glue guns are allowed in the galleries.
No endangered or federally protected plant materials.
No live animals—including fish.
Clippers are OK to use while setting up and maintaining the arrangement.
No electrical devices, including LED lights or speakers.
Containers must be water tested for a minimum of 24 hours before they are brought
to the Museum. Your container should be made of stone, metal, or glazed ceramic. Wood- or bamboo-type containers are prohibited. If your container(s) leaks during
the event, PMA staff will remove your arrangement, as this is a safety hazard for both visitors and artworks.
Containers must contain Oasis/floral foam and must be stable on their base and not top-heavy or easily tipped. Containers with only standing water (no foam) will not be allowed in the PMA. Alternative floral foams (e.g. Agra-Wool) may be permitted, with advance approval from PMA staff. Floral foam should not extend over the rim of your container. Watch for weeping moisture, as water is easily displaced from soaked foam when the plant material is added. Leave an opening or poke a hole in the floral foam large enough so water can go to the bottom of the foam.
Arrangement Display
Arrangements will be displayed on pedestals supplied by the PMA. The standard pedestal provided has the following dimensions: 40 inches H x 20 inches W
x 20 inches D.
The PMA may be able to supply a second pedestal or a shorter pedestal upon request. If you would like to request a second or shorter pedestal, please make these requests by Friday, March 6. Every effort will be made to accommodate your preferred selections, but the PMA does not guarantee that all requests will be met and will notify you in advance as
to the pedestal we can supply.
Pedestals may not be moved.
All elements of the arrangement must be at least 24 inches away from any
work of art.
Arrangements may not be removed prior to the deinstallation day of Monday March 30, 2026.
Maintenance During Art in Bloom
We ask that you visit the PMA to maintain or freshen your arrangement at least once during the event. Designers must arrive and depart through the loading dock (not the main entrance) with the materials needed. A PMA staff escort to the galleries and back will be provided. Because of the need for a staff escort, please coordinate your visit with at least 24 hours’ notice with the Art in Bloom program manager.
No misting is allowed in the galleries.
No open water containers are allowed. Use sealed containers to prevent spilled water in galleries. Participants must provide any necessary replacement materials and take care to not overwater arrangements to avoid leakage.
Stamens will be removed as flowers open. PMA staff reserves the right to remove stamens as needed.
Compensation
Floral Designers will be compensated with a $250 honorarium. In order to issue
this payment, a current W9 form must be on file with our finance team. New vendors can submit W9 to portlandmuseum@bill.com
Other Essentials and Important Dates
If it becomes necessary for you to cancel your participation prior to the event,
or if there is a problem with your arrangement during the program, please notify Meghan Fichtel:
via email at mfichtel@portlandmuseum.org or phone at 207-775-6148 x3251
The PMA reserves the right to remove an arrangement if it is deemed unsafe.
The PMA reserves the right to alter and/or remove arrangements in order to meet
PMA standards and safety guidelines. The PMA is not responsible for lost, stolen,
or broken materials.
A professional photographer will photograph your arrangement at the PMA.
Only one arrangement per person and/or design team is allowed. Designers may
work individually or in teams.
Set up of floral arrangements will be on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Please bring the arrangements to the PMA Loading Dock (99 Spring Street) at your designated arrival time. PMA Staff will accompany you to your location. A PMA staff member will verify that all guidelines are met and secure your work to the pedestal.
Important Dates:
Submit a full list of materials used in final arrangement including both botanicals, plant matter, and the vessel or construction materials that are visible to the viewer by Monday March 23, 2026 at 2:59 p.m. (Please note we have extended this deadline. We are giving more time so that this list can be accurate and complete, and submitted only once. No submissions or changes will be accepted after this time.)
Submit Artist Statements to PMA (Examples and guidelines will follow, but plan for 50 word statement about your design process) Monday March 23, 2026, at 2:59 p.m.
Set up of floral arrangements in designated time period:
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. as assigned
Opening reception for Floral Designers (you may bring one guest):
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Designers pick up floral arrangements from the loading dock: (No arrangements may be removed outside of this window)
Monday, March 30, 2026
Please indicate on your application form that you have read, understood, and agree to the guidelines outlined in this document.