After last week’s deep freeze, winter is starting to win.

If it’s not snow, then it’s rain. And if it’s not precipitating, then it’s brutally cold.

This has been a tough stretch so far. It’s only January and we could already use a bit of a pick-me-up. Don’t you agree?

Assuming most of you said yes, then the wait is almost over. There’s about to be a touch of spring at McGowan Fine Art thanks to the Concord Garden Club.

The 12th annual Art & Bloom opens at McGowan on Jan. 23 with an evening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., but we don’t suggest waiting on this show. It only goes until Jan. 25  at 2 p.m. – that is just three days and a combined 14 hours. You could blink and miss it.

“It’s only three days because, unfortunately the flowers don’t last,” said Jessica Pappathan, director of communications at McGowan. 

The show is a collaboration between the art gallery and Concord’s gardening enthusiasts. The McGowan staff selects the art work and the garden club members create fresh cut flower interpretations of the pieces. It might be just what we all need. 

“It’s a great little breath of spring,” said Judith Maloy, vice president of the Concord Garden Club. “It’s a nice bright spot in an otherwise bleak month of January.” 

Last week, garden club members began selecting their pieces of art and preparing a way to portray it.

“The artists love it. They get a kick out of seeing how someone interprets their work,” said Pappathan.

There are more than 20 paintings, prints and sculptures – all from New England artists – for the designers to choose from. After claiming a piece, most will photograph the art to work from. Some will also make a return trip or two to the gallery for added inspiration.

“I’ll have my own idea of what they’ll come up with, but every time I’m surprised,” said Pappathan. “Some are very literal and some will take a more interpretive approach. It really speaks to how art can be interpreted.”

It takes the designers hours to conceptualize the perfect balance of flowers to use and how to properly place them to best capture the art. Since only fresh flowers are used, there is a limited window to perfect the arrangements. 

“For the most part, all of the designers are amateur floral designers,” said Maloy. “And they’ve got about two weeks to figure it all out.”

In the days prior to the opening, designers will scour the city looking for the right mix of flowers to pull off their intricate designs. It is typically a mad dash to the finish, much like an appearance on Supermarket Sweep.

“The night before, there can be stressful moments,” said Maloy.

Local flower shops and grocery stores will see their inventory go down in the days leading up to Art & Bloom, while other designers travel to Boston to find that perfect grouping. In the past, Maloy even used grass from Petco for a finishing touch.

“You make your choices by whatever inspires you,” said Maloy. “People get very creative in scouting out the materials they need.”

There is a lot of anticipation leading up to next week. The designers want to make sure their presentations are perfect for the artists. And maybe more importantly, finished on time.

“It’s wonderful to see what people come up with,” said Maloy. “It can go from a single blossom to a bouquet that is three feet tall. It’s a great creative outlet for everyone to show their stuff.”

During the three-day exhibit, flowers will be removed and new ones added. It’s all about making the design as visually appealing as possible.

“It really is a pop of spring in the middle of winter,” said Pappathan.

The event is free and open to the public.