Designers taking a break after setting up their creations. Photo: © Andy Foster Another wonderful year, with breathtaking designs. Our biennial event at the Montclair Art Museum is, once again, a triumph with well over half the designs created by our own members. CLICK HERE for a PDF showing each entry together with the piece of art that inspired it as well as the fascinating thought processes of each designer. This document uses the exciting photographs of Andy Foster to gi

On April 27, 2026 we celebrated 100 years of the Garden Club of Montclair's proud history. Members and their significant others gathered together at the Montclair Art Museum to commemorate our past, honor our present, and raise a glass to our future. The event, coordinated by Cynthia Corhan-Aitken and Karen Fricke with the essential assistance of many of our members, was a wonderful success, as you can see by the photos, below, and the closeups of the 11 breathtaking floral a

To celebrate our centenary, 11 of our finest designers created extraordinary floral arrangements, translating their reflections on each decade into exquisite and deeply personal physical expressions. Thank you, Barbara Baletti, for conceiving of this project, and spearheading it to success. See also photographs of members and their significant others at the party held at the Montclair Museum of Art on April 27, 2026. The 1920s — “Bold and Beautiful” The era known as the “Roa

At our 100th Birthday Party and the 2026 Art in Bloom at the Montclair Art Museum, the following homage was prominently featured about a wonderful woman and committed citizen of Montclair. Julia Smith Berrall Julia Berrall: Homage from the Garden Club of Montclair Julia Smith Berrall (1904-1995) was an inspiration, a mentor, and a lifelong friend to the Garden Club of Montclair, whose members have contributed to this year’s Art in Bloom display. Julia was born on May 4, 190

FLOWER DESIGN Note: Judges did not award Firsts in some categories. Novice An American Traditional Horizontal Line Design 2nd - Clare Kuch Intermediate A Multi-Rhythmic Design 1st - Kathy Bachmann Advanced A Creative Design 2nd - Olga Bequillard Advanced Plus A Panel Design 1st - Cynthia Corhan-Aitken BOTANICAL ARTS Macro Photograph 1st - Denise Silverman Collage 1st - Barbara Baletti

Our March program, “Gardening for Hummingbirds” took place on the 23rd with a presentation by Duncan Himmelman, the former education director at the Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware. Duncan, a witty, entertaining speaker helped us explore the life cycle of the ruby-throated hummingbird. We learned how to make our gardens a haven for these tiny flying jewels by including a selection of native plants to provide food sources and nesting sites from spring to fall.

On Feb. 11, under the aegis of the Adult School in a sold-out class, our president and noted designer Fran Ackerly, assisted by photographer (and noted designer) Barbara Baletti, demonstrated the step-by-step procedure to create a lovely American Traditional Galentine’s Day design with carnations, mums, veronica and ferns. The class carefully followed Fran's expert instructions and enjoyed every moment ― as was evident as they proudly and carefully carried their creations out

Workshop Chair Karen Fricke (l) and presenter Dani Scannella Soil preparation doesn't seem like the funniest topic for a workshop, but nine of us met in the club room on Feb. 20 for a hilarious workshop with Dani Scannella, our January program speaker, and owner of The Backyard Gardener . With a dizzying array of her kitchen mixing bowls, spatulas, spackling tools, toothpicks, cell trays and other bizarre instruments, Dani demonstrated how to create a enormous batch of what l

Our January competetion was postponed to February due to a snowstorm, but the creations were as beautiful as ever. As usual, firsts are pictured next to the list, and all the others are shown in the slideshow, below. Flower Design Advanced Plus 1st - Fran Ackerly 2nd - Sarah Stransky 3rd - Cynthia Corhan-Aitken HM - Barbara Baletti Due to the number of entries, Advanced was divided into two sections. Advanced Section 1 1st - Olga Bequillard 2nd - Cheryl Slutzky 3rd - Michele

What a great opening presentation for our first program meeting of our 100th year! Dani Scanella led us clearly and simply through the creation of a backyard kitchen garden. She covered everything from what to plant and ― very important ― when, to ensure a year-long supply of fresh vegetables. Using the example of her own backyard, she showed us how to set up your raised beds and thwart the critters. She shared some of her favorite local suppliers with us, as well as her to

A Deron student watches closely as his instructor shows the correct placement of a daffodil bulb. From Committee Chair Jacoba Coes ― We all joined the Garden Club because we believe in its 100-year-long mission to spread the joy of gardening and creating beauty with plants and flowers. The Youth Committee is well positioned to promote that goal by involving the next generation in garden projects and art with nature. Our mission ― ignite a life-long passion for gardening! O

In another of a season of fascinating Workshops this season, 22 Members braved the sub-freezing weather to manipulate dried leaves and flowers into their own interpretations of a hovering hummingbird. Presenter Karen Fricke provided her expertise in this art as well as pressed leaves, petals, pine needles, grape vines, and an array of brushes, swabs, toothpicks, tweezers, textured paper, and special glue. The results were ready to take flight! What a great way to spend a dr