Art in Bloom

 

On Sunday, March 7, 2010, three designers were presented with People’s Choice Awards for their winning floral designs at Art in Bloom  at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.  Debbie Hughes received First Place; Ena McGrattan received Second Place; and Suzy Valentine received Third Place.  Estates president & CEO, Chris Pendleton and Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council president, Mitzie Marckesano presented the awards. 

 

Winners of the Peoples Choice Award: Suzy Valentine, Debbie Hughes, and Ena McGrattan

 

Winners of the Peoples Choice Award: Suzy Valentine, Debbie Hughes, and Ena McGrattan

Estates Board of Trustee Helen Hendry; Estates president & CEO Chris Pendleton; Debbie Hughes and Ena McGrattan

Estates Board of Trustee LD Bochette and Estates garden volunteer Mary Ann Sedlock

Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council president Mitzi Marckesano and husband Patrick

People’s Choice first place winner Debbie Hughes with artwork by Manfred Behr

People’s Choice second place winner Ena McGrattan with artwork by Barbara Yeomans

People Choice third place winner Suzy Valentine with artwork by Ellen Sheppard

Winnie Stone with artwork by Southwest Florid Quilter’s Guild

Glenda Campbell with artwork by Bill North

Floral Designer Gloria Freitas Steidinger with artwork by Manfred Behr

Floral Designer Judy Gore with artwork by Kim Hambor

Lois Gressman artwork by Pat Dunne

Floral Designer Nancy Wheeler with artwork by Karen Flanders

Sandy Kavouras with artwork by Marie Dyer

Theo Kavouras with artwork by James DiGiorgio

Debbie Hughes with artwork by Leoma Lovegrove

Betty Mazzarella with artwork by Nadine Miller

Floral Designer Brenda Norris with artwork by Kim Hambor

Floral Designer Chris Pendleton with artwork by Augusta Crane

Floral Designer Darlene Thompkins with artwork by Leoma Lovegrove

Art in Bloom, a collaborative project of the Estates and the Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council, combined art work with floral design. Floral Designers included:  Glenda Campbell, Lois Gressman, Judy Gore, Debbie Hughes, Sandy Kavouras, Theo Kavouras, Betty Mazzarella, Ena McGrattan, Brenda Norris, Jan Padgett, Chris Pendleton, Gloria Freitas Steidinger, Winnie Stone, Darlene Thompkins, Suzy Valentine, and Nancy Wheeler.

The following artists were inspiration for the floral designs:  Manfred Behr, Edison Botanic Research Lab and Edison Estate Banyan Tree; Augusta Crane, ceramic flower sconce; James DiGiorgio, Born of Fire; Pat Dunne, Sea Grapes; Marie Dyer, Parrot;  Karen Flanders, Dot Heart;  Kim Hambor, Edison Estate Bamboo Leaves and Edison Family Collage;  Leoma Lovegrove, Sea Tow and Firebird; Nadine Miller, Banana Leaf;  Bill North, Edison Seminole Lodge; Ellen Sheppard, Golden Sawgrass; Southwest Florida Quilters Guild, and Barbara Yeomans.

“The floral designs were spectacular,” said Pendleton.  “Nearly 300 ballots were cast from members of the Estates, Garden Clubs and visitors.  The exhibit was a huge success and the Estates plans to continue Art in Bloom every season.”

Estates Board of Trustee Helen Hendry; Estates president & CEO Chris Pendleton; Debbie Hughes and Ena McGrattan

Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council president Mitzi Marckesano and husband Patrick

Estates Board of Trustee LD Bochette and Estates garden volunteer Mary Ann Sedlock

Garden Hat Project to benefit Edison & Ford Winter Estates Education Programs

Mina Edison loved hats as did many of the fashionable ladies of her time.  They were beautifully adorned with lace, feathers, jewels, veils and other additions which were crafted of straw, organdy, felt and other materials. 

In honor of the first Garden Brunch at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, February 12 several notable women in the community have decorated hats.  The hats will be on display at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bell Tower Shops from February 5 – 10, 2010.  In addition to this display, Saks Fifth Avenue has collected vintage hats from the 1920’s –1960’s that will also be on exhibit.

“Turquoise Sunbeams” by Jewelry Maker, Anita Singh

“A WINK and A Smile” by WINK News Anchor, Lois Thome

“Belly Dancer” by Parker Mudgett Smith Architect, Michele Gouley

“Black Magic” by Nicole Long of Saks Fifth Avenue

“Calla Lady” inspired by Mrs. Clara Ford

“Guns N Roses” by Artist, Piper Rudlich

“Happy Sunny Smiles” by Community Volunteer, Margie Black-Willis

“Lady in Red & Purple” by an Anonymous Decorator

designed by Artist, Leoma Lovegrove

“Not the Edison’s Peacocks!” by Estates President & CEO, Chris Pendleton

“Orchid Lane” inspired by Mrs. Mina Edison

“Peacock Charms” by Pure Love Organics President, Rachel Peacock

“Country Gardener” by Estates Horticulturist, Debbie Hughes

The hats will be on display at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates on February 11 and will be auctioned off February 12 at the Brunch with Mrs. Edison, Living with a Genius event at the Estates. 

In addition to the hat auction, Brunch with Mrs. Edison, Living with a Genius will include brunch amidst the beautiful historic plantings and theatre in the gardens by professional actress, Nan Colton. Living with a Genius is a witty, one–woman show that engages the audience in what it is like to live with a genius – in this case Mina Edison and husband, Thomas Edison.  Colton is well known for her charming representation of historic women and includes storytelling and audience involvement.  Two performances are scheduled:  February 12 and 13 at 11AM and attendees are encouraged to wear hats!

Reservations are required by calling 239-334-7419.  Estates Members $50, nonmembers $60.  The project benefits the Estates Education Program.