Life imitated art at the Hackerman House, with help from the Women's Committee of the Walters Art Gallery.

The committee and area garden clubs designed floral interpretations of 25 Asian artworks in the museum's Hackerman House for the 10th annual Art Blooms event. At the opening-night party, 300 art and flower fans admired the results.

Peter Van Dyke, retired T. Rowe Price managing director, picked as his fave a bunch of blooms that copied a camel. Leeward Resources president Billy Brown and wife, Mary Ellen, thought a botanical buddha the best. Walters director Gary Vikan was mum on his top pick but he proudly pointed out the arrangements in the Renaissance sculpture court, created by Darlene George and women's committee members.

Other admirers included Art Blooms co-chairs Kathleen Brosi, Joan Rambo and Ann Woodward; women's committee chair Judy Van Dyke; women's committee members Barbara Himmelrich, Joanne Belgrad and Gaile Civiletti; Dr. Haig Kazazian, head of the department of genetics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; and David McNally, a Medicaid financial manager.

The reception netted $35,000 for exhibitions and educational programs at the Walters.

Pub Date: 04/04/99