You don’t have to wait for April’s showers to celebrate spring with beautiful flowers! Join us at Art After 5 on April 7 for a floral-focused Friday night.
Aside from the usual Art After 5 staples like live music and speciality cocktails, guests will enjoy spring-inspired craft stations, “Flower Power” gallery tours, and an exclusive floral design demonstration with Sybil Brooke Sylvester, founder of Wildflower Designs. After her demo, Sybil will stick around for a signing of her latest book, Fresh.
Birmingham Museum of Art: How did you get started in this business? What inspired you to work with flowers?
Sybil Sylvester: Ever since I was a little girl, I was very drawn to flowers. I thought of them as my friends, so I was always creating ways to play with them. Eventually, my hobby blossomed into a booming business.
BMA: What do you love most about your work?
SS: The greatest gift my work has brought to my life are the true connections I have made with my clients through our planning and working together over the years. I look back and see so many sweet friends that flowers brought my way!
BMA: What are your favorite flowers to work with at the moment?
SS: Spring flowers because they are what is in season at this moment! It is really fun to combine these blooms with fresh produce that is reminiscent of spring, like asparagus, artichokes, fava beans, and anything other than flowers that is the glorious chartreuse color of the new growth we see this time of year. Think seasonal!
BMA: Tell us about your new book, Fresh. What inspired you to write it and what can readers expect?
SS: Well, first I’ll tell you how I chose the title. For many years when people have seen my arrangements they have always asked me very sincerely, “Are these flowers real?” Yes, they are FRESH flowers made the way I make them!
In my old age, I have come to realize that I am actually an artist and I create art with flowers. I wanted to share my sense of beauty with my readers, but also inspire people and empower them to try to arrange. As I’ve been known to say, ” It’s not Rocket Science. It’s just flowers!”
BMA: There’s definitely an art to the perfect floral arrangement, yet your book is all about being comfortable and bold no matter what your experience level. What advice do you have for beginners?
SS: I really want my readers to ignore the inner voice that tells them they can’t do flowers. You should always make something that pleases you and it’ll be perfect! One tip I feel is crucial is: Do not have every stem the same length-try for in’s and out’s -that way you’ll avoid a very surprised finished arrangement and keep turning as you make it so you remember all sides!