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The creative spirit of the petal flows in the Firehouse Arts Center this winter with flower-themed works by Tri-Valley artists on display in the Harrington Gallery for the 2025 installment of the Flora in Focus group exhibition.
The brainchild of Meghana Mitragotri, the exhibit open through March 8 in downtown Pleasanton brings together the watercolorist and some of her closest friends in the local art world to share the inspirational impacts of anything and everything floral.
“This show is a heartfelt tribute to both nature and the bonds that art can create within our community,” Mitragotri told the Weekly.
“Flora in Focus is about shared connections — whether those connections are between the artists, between the artwork and the viewers, or between the natural world and the beauty we capture through art,” she said. “It’s a space where the bonds of creative expression flourish, and where nature is celebrated as something that transcends individual works of art to bring us all together in appreciation of life’s simplest, yet most profound, moments.”
Marked by an “incredible diversity of mediums, artistic styles, and expressions”, according to Mitragotri, this year’s exhibition features approximately 80 works by artists Helene Roylance, Wei-Ting Chuang, Jenna Hobbs, Tuan Karsevar, Rekha Joshi, Monique Makepeace, Charlotte Severin, Usha Shukla and Peggy Kervin.
Their forms of choice include acrylic, watercolor, East Asian brush painting, oil, colored pencil, gouache and glass. Mitragotri herself has nine floral paintings in the show.
“It was a pleasure working with Meghana and all of the participating artists once again. Featuring the work of two new artists, Tuan Karsevar and Rekha Joshi, each of the exhibition’s 10 artists bring a fresh take on the floral theme,” gallery curator Sydney Tang told the Weekly.
Mitragotri was quick to credit Tang’s “thoughtful curation” for engaging audiences and artists alike.
“Each artist is given a unique space, further enhancing the personal touch of the exhibit,” Mitragotri said. “The juxtaposition of realistic depictions of flowers with abstract interpretations, geometric designs and 3D glass works creates a rich visual dialogue within the gallery space.”
“This diversity invites viewers into a world where the same subject — flowers — can be explored in myriad ways,” she added. “The inclusion of natural elements like bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, quails, and even mushrooms in several pieces adds an extra layer of depth, reminding us that flowers exist within a larger, interconnected ecosystem.”
“What I find particularly inspiring is the emphasis on both bold and subtle colors, as well as varied textures,” Mitragotri said. “Some works are vibrant and dynamic, while others are quiet and meditative, inviting engagement on multiple levels.”
The exhibition, which opened to the public on Jan. 11, is set for a special reception next Saturday (Feb. 1) from 1-3 p.m. at the gallery, 4444 Railroad Ave. in Pleasanton. Light refreshments and raffle prizes will be offered.
Throughout reception week, the gallery will also feature ikebana (live floral) artistic arrangements by Cindy Ting and her students inspired by pieces in the exhibition.
“This collaboration adds another layer of creativity and depth to the exhibit, blending traditional Japanese floral art with the diverse range of expressions on display,” Mitragotri said. “I would like to personally invite the community to attend our reception and meet both the 2D and 3D visual fine artists and the Ikebana artists, forging deeper connections through a shared appreciation of art.”
In tandem with the exhibition, the Harrington Gallery will host live artist demonstrations starting with Chuang (East Asian brush painting) from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 8 followed by Mitragotri (watercolor) from 1-2:30 p.m. Feb. 8, Karsevar (oil) from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 15, Severin (watercolor on yupo paper) from 1-2:30 p.m. Feb. 15 and Hobbs (gouache) from 1-2:30 p.m. March 1.
“The free live art demonstrations are an exciting addition, offering the public a unique opportunity to engage with the creative process and see firsthand how each artist brings their vision to life,” Mitragotri said.
