Wesley Berry, AAF
On October 5, 2006, Portland, Oregon hosted a competition that had all the thrills and suspense of any NBA basketball game. The competition didn't involve athletic shoes, uniforms, and running up and down a gym floor, but there was plenty of enthusiasm, lots of fans, and breathless suspense as viewers waited to see who would come out on top. Oh, and did I mention flowers? Flowers were the star players in this game because the competition was the fourth Floral Design as Art exhibition, which is hosted twice each year by the Floral Design Institute.
The Design as Art event began in 2005 when it was created by David Kesler, AIFD, and Leanne Kesler, AIFD who wanted "to elevate the image of floral design and floral designers and to create a greater public awareness of floral design as an art form." The Keslers want those who attend the event to see it not as a flower show, but as an art exhibit where every artist who participates is a winner.
One of the biggest draws of the exhibition is the design competition. The October 5 competition featured the art of 15 designers who had been invited based on the sketches and descriptions they'd submitted prior to the show for review by a jury of six. The designers are not confined to a specific theme, nor do they come from a certain educational background. In fact, the competition isn't restricted to just those employed in the floral industry; they may be artists from other disciplines or simply hobbyists. The design competition yields two winners-one for Juror's Choice Award, and one for People's Choice Award. The winners of the most recent competition were:
Since its inception in 2005, the show has grown from 200 attendees to in excess of 450 attendees on October 5. The Keslers believe the show's growth is because of the quality of the exhibition, the designs, and the promotions. David Kesler says, "Portland has a wonderful arts community. We see guests who repeat and make a point of getting the date of the next show when they leave."
So, if you're looking for some excitement twice each year that will rival any NBA basketball competition, keep an eye out for the next Floral Design as Art exhibition.
About the Author:
Wesley Berry is member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) and President of Wesley Berry Flowers, a successful multi-million dollar floral business that was established in 1946. His shops provide flower delivery worldwide through Flower Delivery Express. Visit Wesley Berry Flowers on the web at www.800wesleys.com
