Floral art blooms for record viewer numbers

Hundreds stopped to smell the flowers at the Bunbury Regional Art Galleries last week, as the Flower Designers Club of Bunbury showcased floral arrangements in the Blooming Art exhibition.

Leschenault artist Lyn Fisher was awarded Best in Show and first prize in the “contemporary” class, while 20-year-old Jasmin Shaye was named the BRAG Designer of the Year 2018.

Other major winners included Bunbury artist Lyn Harwood, who was named Most Creative in Show and Katie Musitano, of Australind, who was recognised for Best Use of Colour in Show.

Janet Wells, of Capel, was the People’s Choice of the Blooming Artists, for her work inspired by the painting “Rock Face 2” from the City of Bunbury Collection.

Miss Shaye is a third generation flower designer and said the award was “unexpected”.

“I left the day prior and everything was set up and I was admiring everyone else work and thought I had no chance,” she said.

Her piece took almost six hours to put together.

Miss Shaye said she had grown up around flower designing all of her life.

“Even when I was younger we would go to competitions as children and won a couple of those back then,” she said.

“It definitely helps growing up around the beauty of it.”

Miss Shaye’s favourite aspect of floral arranging is “making people happy”.

“I love seeing peoples reactions, even just as a florist, it’s the thought of gift giving and it brightens everyone’s day up.”

Coordinator Eileen Wenn said the exhibition had attracted more visitors than any other year.

“We had lots of tourists and people on their way through Bunbury from all over Australia,” she said.

“We are proud of the community’s continued support. The exhibition has become one of the big events on the Bunbury calendar and we are very pleased with the outcome.

“What we were most impressed by was seeing everyone from tiny tots with their grandparents to teenagers and people in their 30s, all coming to have a look.”

She said visitors showed a particular interest in the “petite designs” but were impressed by all of the artwork on display.

Mrs Wenn said the flowers which has been taken down on Sunday would be donated to churches around Bunbury.