Organizers are holding an art show May 12-13 as a precursor to the annual Big Canoe Tour of Homes this month.

Art in Bloom chairwoman Alice Eachus said the exhibition is a “thank you to the community for all the money we’ve been able to raise for local charities.”

In its 23rd year, the Big Canoe Tour of Homes has raised nearly $1 million for Dawson and Pickens county charities.

Eachus said the Art in Bloom event is more of a “friendraiser” than a fundraiser.

“We wanted to get people aware of the work that has been done to help people.”

She said 20 artists will interpret different types of artwork by using floral designs. The art will be on display at The Chimneys at Big Canoe. The event is free to the public.

She added that there will be hundreds of flowers represented including gardenias, red carnations, forsythia and daisies in bloom.

Eachus said there will be auction items available for bidding during the Art in Bloom exhibition, but the major fundraising will take place the following week during the tour of homes.

Art in Bloom will be held from noon-5 p.m. May 12 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 13 at The Chimneys at Big Canoe.

The tour of homes is scheduled for May 21.

For more information about the Big Canoe Tour of Homes and directions to Art in Bloom, visit www.bigcanoetour.org.