The Lenox Garden Club

Bloomsday Celebrations
James Joyce began writing ULYSSES in 1914 and began researching his story as early as 1906.  Joyce created a fictional Everyman-Leopold Bloom in the style of the classical Homer’s Odyssey… he paralleled his story through the character of Bloom’s wife Molly to that of Penelope in the Odyssey.  Both are being courted by suitors and must be won back.  Leopold Bloom must negotiate twelve trials - this is his Odyssey.
Every year on June 16^th, Joyceans celebrate around the world.  Their celebration is called BLOOMSDAY.  This day marks the one day that all happenings take place in James Joyce’s novel ULYSSES.  In Dublin, Ireland, celebrations carry on for a week, with particular attention to the one day that all events happen within the pages of the novel.
It is a custom for participants to dress up in period outfits and go visiting locations in the books and take part in readings and reenactments. Bloomsday is not an official holiday and there is no official program or organizers.  Events are held by and for Joyce lovers.

Class 1:
 “She brought back to his recollection the happy days of blissful childhood together on the banks of Anna Liffey…”
 An arrangement having a part or parts placed underwater to create interest by magnification or distortion.  Staged on a black cube 16” square.  Viewed from all sides.

Class 2:                                                                               
“A lovely girl, her veil awave upon the wind upon the headland, wind around her.”  
A design staged on a matte black pedestal 49” high, 18” square top.  Viewed from three sides against a mocha colored wall.

Class 3:
“Fine goods in small parcels.”
Tara Brooch.  A piece of jewelry made from plant material.  May be treated or dyed.  Not to exceed 4” in any dimension. To be staged in a lighted off-white box, opening 10” wide x 12” high x 6 ½” deep.  Staging materialprovided. Height 48”.

Class 4:
“Me? Says Alf.  Don’t cast your nasturtiums on my character.”
Functional place setting with a floral component for a named Ulysses character.  Flatware is not permitted. Staged on the Dining Room table at the Lenox Athenaeum.  Dimensions available from the Class 4 Consultant.

Class 5:
“Flowers to console me and pin cuts lo.  Means something, language of flow.”
Design using a single blossom and foliage.  Displayed in a matte black niche 9” on each side, curving to 12” in the center back, 6” deep and 12” wide.  Height 48”