If you’re done with winter and itching for spring, get yourself to Pablo Center at the Confluence for the fifth annual “Fabulous Florals & Fine Art” show. The exhibit – which was previously held at the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center’s Janet Carson Gallery – will bloom in the Pablo Center’s James W. Hansen Gallery on Wednesday, March 20. The gallery will be open 10am-4pm March 20-23, noon-4pm on Sunday, March 24, and two hours before theater events on those days. This year’s 27 floral arrangements were created by florists from within a 100-mile radius, including Avalon Floral and Brent Douglas in Eau Claire, Christenson Florist & Greenhouses in Chippewa Falls, Aroma Inc. of Thorp, and various freelancers. Pablo Center received more than 100 submissions from artists in the Chippewa Valley and surrounding regions, which were narrowed down to 27, and range from paintings and photography to film and sculpture. “Once selected, the works are randomly paired with the florists, who are then tasked with creating a floral arrangement interpreting the artwork. … Some are literal, some are loose, all are one-of-a-kind fabulous,” said Rose Dolan-Neill, Pablo Center’s visual and literary arts manager. The free “Meet the Artists and Florists” reception, will be 5-7pm on Wednesday, March 20 – the first day of spring! Attendees can buy a drink at the bar and inhale the scent of flowers arranged next to the artwork they interpret. Allergy meds optional. 

“Fabulous Florals & Fine Arts” gallery show • Pablo Center at the Confluence, 128 Graham Ave., Eau Claire • March 20-24 • FREE • www.pablocenter.org