For decades, Joe Smith AIFD contributed greatly to the Nashville floral community. The Nashville Lawn and Garden Show was no exception. He encouraged floral designers to highlight the art of floral design and authored the idea of a floral design competition. He was quite honored when the Nashville Lawn and Garden Show established the Joe Smith AIFD Floral Art Gallery in recognition of his years of service.
In 2022, twenty-seven designers interpreted the theme of the show “Birds, Bees, Butterflies and Blooms.” AIFD Foundation Fund Development Chair Kevin Coble AIFD was in attendance to floral the entrance and participate in the festivities. Joining him were Joe’s longtime friend Brenda Blackburn AIFD and her daughter, Emarantha.
The AIFD Foundation display welcomed attendees to the Joe Smith Floral Art Gallery beautifully capturing the show theme. Named “Butterflies in Flight,” the fifteen foot tall design featured an abstract interpretation of butterflies fleeing the cocoon.
The design was constructed on a metal base, enlarged by crepe myrtle branches and florals artfully applied to include 800 South American roses, in assorted varieties, to include Wasabi, Kahala, Free Spirit, Geraldine, Sweet Unique, Moonstone and Pompeii to name a few. French tulips, blooming branches of cherry blossom, dogwood and quince, White Crane Kale, Kiwi hydrangea and hanging green amaranthus expanded the design providing numerous points of interest. Assorted preserved palm fans, in shades of coral, pink, green and natural tones, were creatively placed to interpret butterfly wings.
This non judged entry helps promote the awareness of educational floral design opportunities for Tennessee residents through the Joe Smith AIFD Endowed Fund through scholarships provided by the American Institute of Floral Designers Foundation, Inc.
The Joe Smith AIFD Floral Art Gallery attracts novices, as well as seasoned floral designers, throughout Tennessee to participate in the competition. The gallery is always a highlight of the Nashville Lawn and Garden Show. Designers are asked to demonstrate their creativity as they interpret the show theme, through florals and foliage’s, demonstrating many eye catching techniques. Designs anchored the gallery walls, each on a black pedestal, highlighted with professional pin spot lighting. All were professionally judged with winners noted for show attendees to view. The Nashville Lawn and Garden Show mission is to support and promote horticulture, agriculture, floral design, gardening, culinary arts and education in the community as well as throughout the Tennessee Valley Region. Nashville Lawn and Garden Foundation Grant Coordinator Todd Breyer worked with the AIFD Foundation in 2021 to endow the Joe Smith AIFD Fund with a contribution of $12,500.00. The Foundation’s continued donations increase opportunities for Tennessee residents seeking education in floral design. The 2023 Applications will be posted online at http://aifdfoundation.org/scholarship-applications after May 1, 2022.
