Swoon to the Rose — Floral Art Exhibition to Open on March 27th!
The Charleston Parks Conservancy is thrilled to announce an exciting new exhibition that challenges people to go beyond the vase and reimagine the role of flowers and floral art in public spaces, parks, and homes. Swoon to the Rose explores the unique ways the rose and other flowers are finding their way into everyday lives. Interactive displays will encourage visitors to create their own flower art, ask questions and engage with the floral creations on display.
Jim Martin, Director of Horticulture for the Conservancy, had the idea for this event three years ago. One of his goals is to make floral art more accessible by demonstrating how simple it can be to incorporate flowers into everyday living.
Martin, who has been studying floral design for 15 years, is hoping this exhibit will encourage people to go beyond the vase and open them up to new ways of using flowers.
“The No. 1 goal of Swoon to the Rose is for people to see things they haven’t seen before or see things in a different way,” Martin said. “We want people to be inspired to think about using flowers in a flowered art form at home.”
The exhibit includes four themes that will appeal to all ages:
– Charleston and Its Rose: The rose is one of the most important flowers dating back to the beginning of civilization. Charleston has a long history with the rose and the Conservancy has been planting roses in many of the city’s parks, including Colonial Lake where the Peggy Martin Rose is a springtime showstopper. And in 2019, the Conservancy created the Rose Pavilion at Hampton Park where a variety of heirloom roses, including the Blush Noisette and Champney’s Pink Cluster, fill the park with fragrant, colorful blooms.
– Celebrating the Wall: Learn how to add flowers to wall hangings and other decor for a special occasion or everyday enjoyment.
– Flower Inspiration Everyday: Flowers are more than decor for special events. Easily accessible at grocery stores and farmers markets, flowers can be a part of everyday living.
– Slow Flower Power: Do you know where your flowers come from? Learn about local growers and how you can support local flower farmers. Lowcountry Flower Growers will be donating flowers for the exhibits.
Martin’s work will be on display, along with pieces from four other accomplished floral artists:
– Hitomi Gilliam, a Japanese Canadian flower artist and floral educator, who has worked all over the world. She currently works with her son, Colin Gilliam, in Vancouver BC Canada in an event and education business DESIGN358. Gilliam is the founder of the annual Survival of the Creative Minds Conference in Taos, New Mexico, and is co-founder of the European Master Certification Program.
– Scott Hasty, retail florist in the small southeast Texas town of Orange. His shop, J Scotts Aflorist, offers cutting edge floristry and upscale trendy designs to its faithful customers.
– Rebecca Raymond, a floral designer, instructor and freelancer from the Pacific Northwest specializing in weddings and corporate work. She also mentors and coaches designers who are interested in a career in the floral profession.
– Jorge Uribe, owner and creative floral artist of Urban Floral LLC in Wolcott, Connecticut. He has a background in graphic design and music and alternates his floral art with his other passion, photography.
Workshops and demonstrations will be offered throughout the exhibit, giving the public hands-on opportunities to learn how they can incorporate local flowers into everyday living and their own homes. The three-week exhibit wraps up with The Magnolia Music Series on April 16 at Magnolia Park and Community Garden located next to the Conservancy office.
The Conservancy launched its Art in the Parks program in 2017 as an effort to encourage temporary public art displays in Charleston city parks through collaborations with artists and arts organizations. Since then, temporary exhibits have been installed in Hampton Park and near the West Ashley Greenway.
Exhibition Details:
– Swoon to the Rose: A Flower Art Collaboration including international artist Hitomi Gilliam. The March 27th through April 16th at the Charleston Parks Conservancy offices located at 720 Magnolia Road, Suite 25 in West Ashley. Monday- Saturday: 10 AM to 4 PM, Monday- Saturday.
– Opening Reception: March 26th from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
– Admission is Free, Workshop Entry Fee is $65 To learn more click here.