Presenting

THE ARTS At Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, there is more in bloom than just the delicately beautiful orchids and fragrant flowers. An immersive exhibition of Marc Chagall's nature-inspired artwork is currently underway through the end of July. Dr. Carol Ockman, art professor at Williams College and Selby's curator-at-large, has curated an exciting presentation that illuminates the influence of the natural world on Chagall's work. Always brightly hued and dream-like, Chagall's creations hint at a variety of disciplines, but stand alone in a category that is distinctly of his own making. e poet critic Guillaume Apollinaire once described Chagall's work as "supernatural," which is accurate in capturing its otherworldly qualities. e breadth of Chagall's talent and the sources of his inspiration are celebrated in the Selby exhibit. He is a modern artist who had mastered multiple media, including painting, ceramics, etchings, drawings, theater and costume design, as well as stained glass work. To the delight of Selby visitors, the medium of stained glass is explored in this groundbreaking exhibit: Chagall's estate granted permission for transparencies of select images to be brilliantly displayed in the conservatory's glass walls. This show will be the first in a series of upcoming exhibits intended to showcase important paintings within the context of Selby Gardens, a concept that is the brainchild of Selby's president and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki. Read about Rominiecki and her path to the Selby—by way of New York two years ago—in our exclusive interview featured on page 50. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 900 S. Palm Avenue | Sarasota, FL 34236 | 941.366.5731 The "Color of Dreams" exhibit runs through July 31. The centerpiece of this special presentation is Chagall's 1937 "The Lovers," on loan from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Two other paintings from private collections are also on display at the Selby for the first time—"Bouquets of Lilacs at Saint-Paul" and "Couple with Lilies of the Valley"—as well as ceramic vases once owned by Chagall, archival photos, a glass house cathedral of plants, and outdoor garden scenes that evoke the French Riviera, where Chagall spent the later part of his life. Top to bottom: "Bouquets of Lilacs at Saint-Paul." "Pace of the Tree of Life" stained glass. ©2017 Ar tists Rights Society (ARS), New York /ADAGP, Paris MARC CHAGALL, FLOWERS, AND THE FRENCH RIVIERA: e Color of Dreams If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing. " " Gallery and vase collection, ©Matthew Holler. Subscribe at GravitasMag.com | 81

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