NC Floral Design Exhibition Inspired by Art – Jan 11-14, 2018

Update: Click here for 2018 Results and Photo Gallery

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC – Leading floral designers in North Carolina will gather in Wrightsville Beach to showcase their floral creations inspired by fine art, Jan. 11-14, 2018.

The four-day Art & The Bloom exhibition and competition includes expert courses in floral design, botanical illustration and art, building terrariums, millinery fashion shows, raffles, and a presentation-book signing for Gardening in the South: The Complete Homeowner’s Guide, by Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University.

“Our first year was a huge success,” said co-chair Barb Bittler, member of the New Hanover Garden Club. “The artwork was from a collection at Cameron Art Museum. This year’s artwork will come from private collections and the Wilmington Art Association. Floral designers receive their art assignment from a blind draw weeks before the event.

“The judges this year are Frances Thrash from Virginia and Pam Braun from Tennessee. Both are nationally accredited judges and Flower Show School Instructors through the National Garden Club.

“Friday morning, judge Frances Thrash is going to create four different floral designs. Friday afternoon, judge Pam Braun will be talking about botanical arts, which is a new division in flower shows for the National Garden Club.

“Preston Montague, a botanical illustrator from Durham, will present a workshop on how to make your greeting cards from what you might find in your garden. Montague is the creator of the Codex Carolinum alphabet series, using native or naturalized plants of North Carolina to encourage natural science literacy.

“Kim Fisher, a local floral designer originally from Washington, D.C., will be leading a workshop in how to create a terrarium out of succulents. Kim’s experience includes floral design for several presidents and the Catherine Zeta-Jones wedding.

“Floral design winners receive a beautiful ribbon, a cash award, and bragging rights. Last year’s best of show winner, Brittany Wells of Verzaal’s Florist in Wilmington is returning to defend her title.

“Mark Weathington from Raleigh’s Raulston Arboretum will present his new book and host a book signing on Sunday afternoon,” said Bittler.

New Hanover Garden Club, the organizer of Art & The Bloom, is federated through the National Garden Club and Garden Clubs of North Carolina. The event’s proceeds will benefit gardening projects for nonprofit organizations. All activities will be held at host hotel Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

2018 Art & The Bloom Itinerary:

Thurs. January 11

• 6-8 PM: Preview Party and Art & The Bloom Exhibition – Blockade Runner Beach Resort

Fri. January 12

• 9 AM-8 PM: Art & The Bloom Exhibition
• 10 AM-12 PM: Floral Design Demonstration by Frances Thrash, National Garden Club Flower Show School Instructor, and Master Judge.
• 1-3 PM: The New Botanical Arts … Making a Flower Show Fun for Everyone by Pam Braun, National Garden Club Flower Show School Instructor, and Master Judge.
• 3-4 PM: Fashion Show of Hats by milliner Jan Wutkowski of aMuse Artisanal Finery. Includes a two-course afternoon tea service by EAST Oceanfront Dining.

Sat. January 13

• 9 AM-5 PM: Art & The Bloom Exhibition
• 10 AM-12 PM: “Octopus’s Garden” Terrarium Workshop by Kim Fisher of Coastal Terra. A 2-hour instruction on making a contained succulent garden, including, plant selection, building techniques, maintenance, and display. Materials are provided.
• 1-3 PM: Botanical Card Drawing by Preston Montague, professional botanical illustrator, educator, and landscape designer from Durham. The course includes the basics of botanical illustration and classroom supplies.
• 3-4 PM: Fashion Show of Hats by milliner Jan Wutkowski of aMuse Artisanal Finery. Includes a two-course afternoon tea service by EAST Oceanfront Dining.

Sun. January 14

• 9 AM-4 PM: Art & The Bloom Exhibition
• 1-3 PM: How to grow your dream garden in the South presented by Mark Weathington, Director of the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University. Mark is the author of Gardening in the South: The Complete Homeowner’s Guide. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

For tickets and accommodations:
http://blockade-runner.com/packages/art-and-the-bloom/

For tickets and event information:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-the-bloom-tickets-36802041898

Media archive with photos:
https://www.behance.net/gallery/59485971/Art-The-Bloom

Contact:

Barb Bittler, Co-Chair
Art & The Bloom
BarbBittler@gmail.com
910-616-0476

Robert B Butler
Communications | Public Relations
www.NCPressRelease.org
www.RBButler.com

Permission granted for reprint and redistribution.

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