Inspired by a bounty of beautiful blossoms, more than 350 Dallas Museum of Art patrons pulled out their checkbooks to raise $215,000 at the sold-out 16th annual Art in Bloom. The cherished event benefits the DMA League’s Floral Endowment Fund and supports the museum’s free admission.

Chair Barbara Durham and honorary chair Barbara Bigham warmly welcomed guests to the concourse, where they had an opportunity to bid on artful floral arrangements donated by renowned Dallas florists for the silent auction. Then it was time for the main event: a presentation by best-selling author and master entertainer Danielle Rollins in Horchow Auditorium.

Rollins gave practical advice on creating beautiful, affordable floral arrangements in a variety of sizes and styles, all the while keeping the audience laughing with her quick wit. Rollins’ arrangements also were part of the silent auction.

Lunch followed in the atrium, which was awash in immaculate designs from Cebolla Fine Flowers. While dining on salad Nicoise, attendees enjoyed a bespoke fashion presentation by Hadleigh’s. Lunch concluded with desserts and a live auction featuring 12 nights in a Tuscan village, dinner at Barbara and Don Daseke’s home, and Dina Mackney jewelry.

As the Art in Bloom festivities came to a close, doors to the exhibition “Bouquets: French Still Life Paintings from Chardin to Matisse” swung open, allowing attendees— including Margaret McDermott, Beverly Freeman, Susan Fisk, Jill Goldberg, Peggy Sewell, Mary McDermott Cook, Margot Perot, Faye C. Briggs and Jennifer Houser — to be among the first to view the new DMA exhibition.

Founded in 1938, the DMA League is celebrating 75 years of contributions through volunteer work for the museum, art acquisitions and the support of key endowment funds. The league has participated in the acquisition of approximately 100 works of art for the museum.