Upon starting my first week at Brent Douglas Flower Shop the florists were busy creating intricate and abstract arrangements for the annual Fab Florals and Fine Art exhibit. I had never heard of this exhibit, but apparently it used to be held at the gallery in the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center (ECRAC). Since the new art building, The Pablo Center, opened it’s doors last year, they’ve been taking over many of the galleries and shows that ECRAC used to host. Fab Florals and Fine Art being one of them.
As I observed my new co-workers creating masterpieces with flowers and plants I have yet to learn the name of, I became very intrigued about this gallery. Since there were live subject matters it was only on display for a few days. I decided to attend the last day it was open, on March 24th.
It turns out that artist’s submit work to the show, any work they would like, whether it’s a painting, video piece, drawing, sculpture, screen print – all mediums were welcomed. A panel of judges went through the submissions picking the ‘best’ works of fine art. Once the art pieces were finalized, area florists that wished to participate created floral arrangements which complimented the art piece or seemed to mirror them.
It’s quite amazing how flowers and plants can become a work of art, in fact I think they are already a piece of art naturally. As I continue to learn about new flowers and plants each day, I find myself attracted to the different shadings they naturally have, or textures and shapes. You could say floral arrangements are my new favorite art form.
*Below are photos I took of Fab Florals and Fine Art. If you feel the desire to use or share any of them please give credit to me, Measha Lea.*
