By Alan Thompson
As I think of AIFD History, I think of the people who led me to AIFD!
Mary Lee Evans AIFD from Tulsa, Oklahoma, was an instant friend who took me under her wing and introduced me to everyone! Mary Lee was fearless and game for anything! At my first National Symposium she appeared onstage as an “astronaut” for Nick Gallete’s program and as a “Viking Masthead” on South Central Region’s Riverwalk Boat, wearing a kitchen strainer as breastplates! Mary Lee made sure I got involved in helping set up the final night (Leadership Salute) with Nick Gallete AIFD. I fortunately met Lena Malouf AIFD from Australia learning from her as we finished the stage décor for the evening. Everyone was welcoming, encouraging, and willing to share their knowledge.
George Mitchell AIFD and his wife Nancy led me to the North Central and Chicago Group after we met on the European Master Design School in Vienna. AIFD was well represented in this group as well. Allen Beck AIFD, Bill Taylor AIFD, Holly Money-Collins AIFD, Nick Gallette AIFD, and of course Mary Lee and many others growing AIFD experiences and involvement opportunities.
Through George and Nancy Mitchell, I was fortunate to meet Betty Deprez AIFD, Sam Bezaniz AIFD, Betty Thomas AIFD, Bob Frieze AIFD, Jim Manders AIFD and Bobbie Ecker AIFD. I learned so much from the likes of these AIFD members. Betty Deprez said, I needed to do what would be my first design program.
Jim Treadway AIFD had always been an inspiration with his design work, on stage and in Professional Floral Designer Magazine. Sure enough, Jim was one of the other designers for the show. Shall we say, just a bit intimidating! In the workroom, I was designing away, and Jim came over, said, ” Your work is beautiful and you can stop, you will do well to get through it on stage”.
I was fortunate to work for Dennis Butterworth AIFD in Cincinnati. Learning many things I use to this day. From store display, customer care, so many design ideas, skills and techniques.
Thinking back on all of these wonderful designers, and how the friendship of one person opened the door to the friendship and wonders of AIFD.
