CULTIVATING CONNECTION

Discovering the beauty of locally grown flowers

IN APRIL 2023, FLOWER FARMERS AND FLORISTS GATHERED in the heart of Scottsdale, Arizona, for Fleurmania, a three-day workshop featuring the best of Arizona-grown botanicals. As the event's producer, I developed Fleurmania to promote connection and creativity, inviting Susan McLeary and others to lead sustainable floral design sessions, floral meditations, discussions about finding one's leadership strengths and core values, plus ways to avoid burnout and learning to rest.

Fleurmania had its roots in workshops I have attended in the past and was influenced by my relationships with floral designers, flower farmers, and business experts whose work I value. After

WORKSHOP

Produced by Debby Mittelman, MiViva Designs, mivivadesigns.com @mivivadesigns_florals

Instructors

Susan McLeary, @passionflowersue

Crystal Whiteaker, @crystallilycreative

Shanti Rade, @whipstonefarm

Jorday Maney, @thejordanmaney

Heather McFarland, @floralhealingcoaching

MODEL

Chauné Rael-Whitsitt, @sweethoneyrael attending numerous in-person and online workshops focused on creativity and floral design, my vision for Fleurmania took shape. I wanted to feature Arizona blooms, sustainable mechanics, and supportive relationships. The instructors I invited responded enthusiastically, including Sue McLeary and Arizona flower farmer Shanti Rade of Whipstone Farm. I also invited Jordan Maney, a wedding planner whose work is now focused on anti-racism teaching and coaching in the floral industry and other creative professions. Crystal Whiteaker agreed to photograph the workshop and to lead sessions about aligning one's brand with personal values and purpose. Heather McFarland, a therapistturned-floral-healing-coach, joined the panel to guide attendees in floral meditations for mindful relaxation exercises. And of course, the abundance of seasonal blooms set the stage for a successful event.

I was able to source and buy from multiple businesses who provided a diverse selection of blooms from different corners of Arizona. I wanted the variety because regional climates here range from warm, low desert to cool mountain regions, which create distinct seasonal differences around the state. Tiny, delicate muscari and violas arrived in bud vases alongside dill flowers towering more than five feet high! More than 30 persons attended the afternoon program, which included conversations around forming a collective to bring locally grown flowers to market. For highlights, Sue created a brightly colored spring centerpiece, while Heather led a meditation focused on flowers to honor the work of the many growers who attended.

During the next two days, Sue demonstrated multiple options for sustainable mechanics, such as using dried smilax as a base layer for floral crowns or shaping bullion wire for versatile jewelry styles. Other foam-free mechanics included using chicken wire and Oshun pouches. The designers then selected blooms and used these options to create their own exuberant designs for headpieces and wearable flowers. Chauné Rael-Whitsitt then modeled the individual pieces in the courtyard, photographed by Crystal Whiteaker for each designer's portfolio.

Each attendee also designed a centerpiece, and then collaborated to create two large group installations. The installs were built with reusable steel frames, water buckets, and chicken wire mechanics. Fortunately, the desert's spring weather was perfect for working outdoors.

For some, Fleurmania was their first immersive, in-person workshop. Others had never before built installations or had their work displayed on a professional model. Everyone was encouraged to have fun and spread their creative wings. Courtney Rosiak-Quinto of Quaintrelle Farms said, “The threeday experience was bursting with creativity, learning opportunities, and knowledge sharing.” As a farmer-florist, she returned home to Santa Cruz, California, feeling confident in her decision to turn down work involving unsustainable practices not in line with her ethos, such as bleaching or spraying materials. She also reported she has reached out to other local growers for resources as needed for her events, and has initiated a collaborative effort modeled by the growers at Fleurmania.

Holly Lukasiewicz of the District 2 Floral Studio in Omaha, Nebraska, valued our support of many Arizona flower farmers, the sustainability of the event, and the fusion of contemporary topics around various forms of justice pertaining to race, gender, values, and physical rest.

She also appreciated knowing at the end of Fleurmania, materials used in the workshop were donated. For this effort, after breaking down the installations, the group made bouquets for ReBloom, a nonprofit whose volunteers picked up and delivered the fresh arrangements to hospice patients.

Marin Kees, owner and designer at Phoenix-based Florence and Rose Floral Co., said Fleurmania gave her, “A shift in my career that I've always wanted. To be able to spend a few days in pure magic in all local blooms of Arizona was just the start, but the best part was meeting all the growers behind that magic.”

Racquel Pleasants is a farmerflorist, an emergency room nurse, and the owner of Rose and Olive in Walla Walla, Washington. She said, “Fleurmania was an enriching workshop, a moment in time where an incredible group came together from all walks of life and connected through the magic of flowers. The experience was healing and life changing with the addition of new lifelong friendships.”

Reflecting on the workshop,

Christina Blodgett of Urban Desert Flora in Phoenix, said, “Fleurmania allowed space for a community joining Arizona farmers and floral artists where there once was none. It was a springboard for the growth of floristry in Arizona and allowed our wonderful community of farmers and floral artists to connect.”

Behind the scenes, I learned that producing multi-day educational workshops is both equally exhausting and exhilarating. As the event organizer, I am most proud to know Fleurmania was a catalyst for what is becoming a vibrant and dynamic local flowers community here in Arizona.

Fleurmania Website Instagram

BOTANICAL STYLE BY DEBRA PRINZING PHOTOGRAPHY BY MISSY PALACOL