We have made several interesting changes (from what appears in the Yearbook) in the Flower Design/Botanical Arts Divisions for our February 13 competition that you need to be aware of before brainstorming for your designs. The Vacation Destination for February is New Orleans and our focus and theme will be Mardi Gras. In two of our three Flower Design Classes we are asking you to incorporate the traditional colors of Mardi Gras — Purple, Green, and Gold/Yellow, in your design. The colors signify Justice (purple), Faith (green), and Power (gold).
Flower Design Division. Here are the specific changes/requirements:
Class1: (Provisionals only) An American Traditional Vertical Line Design. See Handbook for Flower Shows p.71. Design will be staged on a pedestal 42" H with a 14" square top. No height restrictions but an underlay is required. Choice of flowers is yours but feel free to use Mardi Gras colors if you wish
(Just a head’s up to all you Provisionals that this is a good opportunity to submit a design and meet that requirement. Remember, it is NOT judged but critiqued.
Class 2: A Creative Design using Mardi Gras colors (Purple, Green, and Gold/Yellow)
(see Handbook for Flower Shows pp. 71-72.) Design will be staged on a 30” table and your allowable space is 24”W x 18” D. No height restrictions but a staging panel and underlay are required. Some fresh plant material must be included. This class is open to Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Advanced + levels
Class 3: A Challenge Design. (See Handbook for Flower Shows, p. 78) staged on a 30” high table with allowable space 24”W x 18” deep, no height restrictions. Identical components will be supplied to exhibitors by committee chairs. A minimum of three (3) components MUST be used. Fee for exhibitors is $20. which includes the container that you can keep. This class is open to Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Advanced + levels
Botanical Arts/Artistic Crafts Division: Artistic Crafts
(See Handbook for Flower Shows, pp. 94-95). This class is open to all levels.
Class 4: A Mardi Gras Mask.* Provided by exhibitor and embellished using fresh and/or dried plant material and other components, staged on a white styrofoam head 11” high and 20” circumference placed on a table 30” high. Styrofoam head provided by committee. Judged by Artistic Scale of Points, p.131.
*Mask creation will be covered in a Workshop given by Florence Leyssène (Accredited Master Flower Show Judge) on February 1 at 10am in the Garden Club Room. Email Celia Radek, cradek8796@aol.com to register.
Keep in mind that there is a limit of six (6) entries per class so we encourage you to email Fran Ackerly, fackerly1@gmail.comNO LATER than February 6 if you plan to submit a flower design or a Botanical Arts/Artistic Crafts Mask. The program and competition will again be at Union Congregational Church, 176 Cooper Ave in Upper Montclair. We look forward to a fun and festive competition as we celebrate our talented designers and Mardi Gras. Laissez les bon temps rouler!
-Fran Ackerly and Barbara Baletti, FD Chair/Co-Chair