Art Blooms Eternal

As Natick’s inaugural artist-in-residence, Kira Seamon has so far been the epitome of a good neighbor.
And while the role marks a first for both the town and artist, it’s likely some Natick residents have heard of Seamon before, and perhaps crossed paths with some of her creations.
Last year, she took part in group exhibits at the Morse Institute and Bacon Free libraries, the latter of which just ended in September. Seamon will return to the Morse Institute Library in May and June of next year in an exhibit featuring her photography of Peru.
Seamon also displayed her “Stained Glass Sky” kaleidoscopic photography last year at the Morse Institute Library. The images consist of natural subjects - trees, flowers, skylines - and are filtered and captured through a special lens. The result is a striking kaleidoscopic effect that challenges the viewer to decipher the subject matter’s origins.
Sponsored by the Natick Center Cultural District, the role of artist-in-residence entails being an active advocate for the arts, and includes a stipend to help facilitate that work. Studio space is also provided as a perk of the program, and the artist-in-residence is expected to organize and host several exhibitions throughout his or her tenure.
Seamon is a Dedham resident, and first learned about Natick’s plan to host an artist-in-residence during her exhibit at the Bacon Free Library. A librarian there suggested she apply for the program, and the rest is art history.
“I have an artistic second home in Natick,” said Seamon.
Since April of this year, Seamon has been promoting and creating art in the town as part of her tenure. She has played a role in Natick Days, the town’s annual community festival.
After the recent fire in downtown Natick, Seamon organized and produced an artistic show of gratitude for emergency crews that responded to the crisis. Several posters were filled with the traced hands of volunteers, and the finished works presented to the Natick Fire Station for display.
Also as part of her artist-in-residence role, Seamon is organizing an “Art In Bloom” event at the Morse Institute Library, which will be held on Sunday afternoon, November 17th between 1:00 and 5:00.
Art In Bloom is a celebration of existing works of art, rendered in themed, floral arrangements. Seamon has extensive experience with these horticultural homages, having hosted and assembled many iterations of the exhibit over the years.
Prior exhibitions of Art In Bloom have included tabletop displays of flowers, each an interpretation of a well-known and beloved book. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter” was one of these, with its titular, capital letter “A” represented in red carnations within the backdrop of varied, violet flowers.
Another, a nod to Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple,” features the book in a blossom of flowers of that same hue, a celebration of sorts, of the novel’s life and influence. It’s quite literally (literary) art imitating art.
For this month’s version of Art In Bloom, the floral arrangements will represent Seamon’s own photography as centerpieces and inspiration, including some recent images from her excursion to Peru.
The Natick Garden Club will lend their expertise and furnish flowers for the arrangements. In addition, musicians from Natick’s Walnut Hill School will perform some classical pieces during the event, between the hours of 2:30 and 3:30.
Seamon’s interest and involvement in Art In Bloom began with her exposure to the idea years ago, when she attended exhibitions of the same name hosted by the Museum of Fine Arts.
A self-described superfan of Art In Bloom, she soon began organizing and hosting her own versions of the event throughout the state, mostly in libraries.
Seamon’s favored mediums will culminate in this month’s Art In Bloom event, featuring floral arrangements as odes to her photography. The November 17th exhibit will highlight her kaleidoscopic photographs, as well as several images the artist captured during a recent trip to Peru.
“It’s truly beyond a dream come true,” said Seamon. “And I hope to give my all to the Natick community.”