May Market

May 11 & 12, 2012
10 am–4 pm.
RAIN OR SHINE
Experience one of Hill-Stead's signature events, with something for everyone. From its early focus on rare and beautiful plants and colorful flowers, May Market has expanded over the past 25 years to include a wide variety of home and garden items, artisanal food, pottery, wearable fiber art, jewelry, photography, fine art, antiques, bees wax candles, decorative glass, whimsical ornaments and much more. It's the perfect venue to shop for Mother's Day or any other occasion! Monet's Café & Bakery will keep you full of energy with hearty lunches and yummy treats. Download a May Market 2012 invitation (PDF).

May Market's 2012 Presenting Sponsor: Simsbury Bank



See additional 2012 sponsors.
Schedule of events BELOW.
See a list of May Market exhibitors at May Market Benefit.

Admission: $8 for museum members; $10 for non-members advance purchase (must be purchased by April 27); $12 for non-members after April 27 or at the door. Children ages 12 and under free. Purchase tickets by phone (860.677.4787 ext 132) or at the door (cash, checks and credit cards accepted) .

Museum member admission is honored if you become a member at the ticket window. For this occasion, Hill-Stead is offering special membership rates: $42 for individuals ($8 savings) and $60 for families ($15 savings). For more information on membership, see the link or call 860.677.4787 ext 131.

General admission includes entrance to all exhibitors, daily demonstrations, live music & dance, children's activities, self-guided tours of Hill-Stead Museum with its renowned Impressionist art collection, enjoyment of the museum's historic grounds and Sunken Garden.

May Market SPECIALS 2012

Friday, 11 am: Nationally recognized master floral designer and lecturer and White House special events florist, Ruth Loiseau will share her special talents in her presentation, From the White House to Your House: A Garden Party. From the presidencies of Ronal Reagan to Barack Obama, Ruth has graced White House state dinners, receptions, and holiday parties with her stunning floral arrangements. In the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to watch Ruth create eight unique arrangements using spring and summer flowers, perfect for Connecticut homes and garden parties. The arrangements will then be auctioned immediately following the demonstration. Admission is $22 for members, $25 for members-to-be. Seating is limited. Purchase tickets by phone or at the door (cash, checks and credit cards accepted).


Friday, 1 pm: Steve Silk Presents a Tour of Hill-Stead's Sunken Garden
Award-winning garden writer, photographer & designer Steve Silk guides participants through Hill-Stead's one-acre jewel, designed ca. 1920 by Beatrix Farrand (1872–1957), one of the finest female landscape designers of her generation. Learn more about how, through color and height, Farrand transformed the garden into a structured yet informal space, complementing the Pope Riddle House and its Impressionist art collection. Steve Silk is President of the Connecticut Horticultural Society. The garden tour is free with May Market admission.


Saturday, 10 am: Ellen Hoverkamp on Floral Scanner Photography
View the sumptuous color photographs produced by Ellen Hoverkamp's unique scanner art photography as she presents a 30-minute digital slideshow about her collaboration with acclaimed gardening author Ken Druse on his latest book, National Companions: The Garden Lover's Guide to Plant Combinations. Ellen will then give a brief demonstration of floral scanning using an inexpensive photo scanner and Photoshop© Elements. Ellen will sign and sell the book following the presentation, and also at her May Market booth for the duration of the event. This slideshow/demonstration is free with May Market admission.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS (all free with May Market admission)

Music & Dance
Friday, 12–2 pm: Ken Haller. Enjoy classic and contemporary country favorites by this talented acoustic guitarist.

Saturday, 12 pm: New Haven Morris & Sword Group Dancers. Traditional English folk dancing at its best!

Demonstrations with Local Experts
Friday, 1:30 pm: Kitchen Garden 101
Learn the basics of starting your own kitchen garden with Master Gardener and Designer Lisa Linehan

Saturday, 11 am–12 pm: Channel Your Inner Bread Baker
With Ann Howard of Apricot's and The Bond, learn the techniques of proper mixing and kneading to produce a crusty baguette and a fabulous focaccia.

Saturday, 1:30 pm: Container Pot Creations
Lisa Newell, of Cultivated Gardens, LLC, presents creative ideas for beautiful potted containers for your home.

Saturday, 2:30 pm: The Herb Garden, Then & Now
Herb gardener Susan Prentice offers sageadvice for the medicinal and gastronimic use of historic herbs.

Friday & Saturday, times vary: Informal Master Gardener talks & consultation on a variety of topics

Children's Activities
Saturday, 10 am–4 pm: Hill-Stead's Own Flock
Bobbie Emery and Anne Foss bring members of the visiting Hill-Stead flock, with some baby lambs, to educate and captivate. Have your photograph taken by Gay Ayers with your favorite flock member for $5!

Saturday, 11 am—3 pm: Plant a Pot / Make a Mother's Day Card Kids of all ages — present your mother, grandmother or favorite aunt the Mother's Day with a decorated and planted flower pot, accompanied by a hand-made card, all done by you!

Saturday, 11:30 am—1:30 pm: Facepainting
Amy Conover delights the young and young at heart with her artistic transformations.

Refreshments
The on-site Monet's Café & Bakery offers delicious salads, gourmet sandwiches and wraps provided by The Epicurean Catererers, as well as delectable sweets, home-baked by The Hill-Steaders. Chet's Italian Ice will provide a cool treat.

New & Unusual Plants
Shop our great selection of perennials, with new and old favorites, some right from Hill-Stead's historic Sunken Garden. Find the perfect plant for your garden with the hlep of our expert Master Gardeners. Bring home a Theodate original to plant in your very own garden!

MORE
Estate walks, house tours, Theodate's Attic — where you'll find something new and something old from the large selection of pre-loved treasures — round out the festivities.

May Market Picture Gallery