CONTRIBUTED
After reading about the annual Blooming Art of the Sandills Exhibition hosted by the Garden Club of the Sandhills, Jo Cermele, a Seven Lakes Garden Club member, signed up to participate. The event challenges local residents to create floral arrangements representing a piece of art.
Cermele requested a helper from her fellow members of the SLGC to create an entry inspired by “Feather Dancer” by David Ramos, a print from Cermele’s private collection.
Elizabeth Maloney offered to assist, and Carolyn Sink offered to function as an advisor to the process. They met in early February and devised a plan. There were follow up emails, texts, and two work sessions experimenting with flower and design options to move the process forward.
One of the requirements was to describe the arrangement, what flowers were going to be used and how the arrangement would interpret the artwork.
The design team wrote: “The arrangement is inspired by the flow and movement of the dance and feathers. A birch bark container anchors the base with a raffia and spear accents. Towering Bird of Paradise represents the headdress and feathers of the dancer. Tinted Solidago fills in the dancer’s body while retaining flow and movement. Branches of Birch and Pussywillow stems continue the theme of grace and motion. White Chrysanthemums and Alstroemeria fill in the base of the arrangement and add accents to the arrangement. Bronze Alstroemeria and White Snapdragons add to the airy feeling of feathers.”
The collaboration reached its goal at the final assembly at Cermele’s home on Thursday, March 27, with flowers procured from Christy’s Flower Stall of Olmstead Village. Christy helped throughout the process of selecting and sourcing flower choices.
Cermele and Maloney delivered the print of Feather Dancer and the arrangement to Campbell House. It was placed in the perfect location and received many positive comments
throughout its reign at the 2025 Blooming Art Exhibition. The Garden Club of Seven Lakes is pleased to support this effort. The design team had a great time.
The trio of Seven Lakes West gals who enjoy flowers and took on the challenge made a strong debut among the magnificent displays, many created by professional florists and designers.
