A deep dive into AIFD's 60th anniversary

Celebrating 60 years of teaching and supporting floral artists, the American Institute of Floral Designers had its annual show in sunny Palm Springs, California this month.

Founded in 1965, the AIFD is the leading organization dedicated to advancing the art of floral design through education, accreditation and inspiration. Its annual symposium is where the great floral designers of the world convene to share their wisdom and also plant seeds of friendships.

© AIFD

It is where experts can openly and freely ask colleagues to be problem solvers. To share the best floral techniques for specific tasks including sustainable practices in wedding arches to pricing special roses that are prickly but beautiful. Is it worth having that expensive David Austin garden rose? Which do brides like better – the Rosaprima Moab or the lavender Ocean Rose? What are remedies to problems of transportation and shipping of flowers?

"You don't realize how important these friendships become over time," says my colleague and friend Nita Robertson, who along with Patti Fowler AIFD, Lynde Disomma AIFD, and Sharrai Morgan-Faulkner AIFD created an epic show called "Elemental."

And what an exhibition it was.

"We're explored how the elements of nature inspire our work, and I'm especially excited to share my segment, which explores the fluid, powerful influence of water in floral design. Even more meaningful is the friendship and passion we all bring to the stage together."

In it, Nita showed how "flow" can be a metaphor for all floral design especially since water helps flowers survive and also creates movement which is what elevates any floral design.

© AIFDRenee Tucci and Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte

Since flower shows and teaching courses are catnip to the public too – the mayor of Palm Springs, Ron deHarte, stopped by for a floral lesson from AIFD's new president, the ebullient Renee Tucci. What a great choice for president since Renee is someone who uses woodlands and the outdoors to inspire her work.

Among the superstars who also presented at the show were Jacob McCall AIFD in a show called "Legacy" while Corrine Heck, offered a profit monetization seminar. Another highlight was international star Bart Hassam giving a four-hour master class to assembled florists.

© AIFDJacob McCall AIFD

Plus, it's always a party. Florists know how to put on a show and they had a fun 70's theme opening night party.

Last but not least, AIFD also honored former White House florist Laura Dowling the Merit award for being such an effective "Floral Diplomat." She has always been an ambassador for floral design and excellence.

© AIFDLaura Dowling and Jill Brooke

To emphasize how the floral community gives back while growing their skills – a really elemental part of life – the AIFD team is doing something wonderful with used flowers.

Describing it as "turning beauty into kindness," their "Blooms Over" program will once again repurpose used flowers.

After days of spectacular floral artistry, thousands of blooms from the event will be given a second life. Volunteers will gather to transform the event's arrangements into fresh bouquets, which are then delivered to local senior centers throughout the Greater Palm Springs area.

On the evening of July 14th, florists also handed out a few hundred bouquets, bringing smiles and surprise to the community while showcasing the heart of AIFD. There will also be a public floral design installation to enjoy by the public.

Because creative design is not just gathering flowers. What makes each wedding bouquet, each dinner party arrangement, each bud vase special, is the energy and emotion that individual florists put into that work. As the "Punk Florist" so wisely said in a 2019 documentary, anyone can go to nature and see beauty. But it is the floral arrangement that conveys "the arrangers joy, emotions and techniques" which elevates the experience for not only the artist but the people who view it.

Floral arranging is an ancient art worthy of education and AIFD is at the epicenter of teaching and launching the industry's biggest stars.

© AIFDBart Hassam