The Vero Beach Museum of Art blossomed with creativity during the 15th annual Art in Bloom fundraiser, which featured a demonstration by Sybil Brooke Sylvester, founder of the Wildflower Designs in Birmingham.
Florophiles spent the morning viewing an exhibition of arrangements created by a talented group of local floral designers. Using color and texture, each arrangement was meant to capture the essence of selected paintings and photographs from the museum’s permanent collection. This year’s exhibition designer co-chairs were Julie Herrmann and Barbara Kaytes.
After casting their votes, the ladies settled into the Holmes Great Hall for champagne and the presentation by Sylvester.
“Welcome to the 15th annual Art in Bloom. Can you believe it? Fifteen years. The museum has never looked better,” said Brady Roberts, VBMA CEO, as he welcomed the ladies.
“We’re sold out once again, and we have 16 floral designers who are presenting their creative interpretations of works from our collection,” continued Roberts before introducing event co-chairs Courtney Kagan and Middy Perkins.
“Your collective excitement and support has been very inspirational. And through your generosity, we have raised, are you ready? The greatest amount for this event ever – a total of $165,000,” Kagan announced.
As Sylvester buzzed about the stage, selecting flowers and sprigs of greenery at what appeared to the untrained eye as random, she charmed the crowd with her Southern accent and wit in equal measures. She threw in tips and tricks of the trade, from taping a trash bag to your work surface to stripping stems and starting with the straightest flower.
The joy with which Sylvester created the arrangement was infectious and carried over into the vibrant European hand-tied bouquet she had created out of blue delphiniums, Lady’s Mantle, Camellias and daffodils, among others.
After the presentation, guests enjoyed a light luncheon catered by Elizabeth Kennedy Catering in the Buck Atrium, mixed with plenty of lively conversation.
Proceeds from the event help support the Museum’s educational outreach programs.
For more information, visitVBMuseum.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
