Flower Design class at the National Arts Club courtesy of Mari Gold
Mari Gold took my class last week at the National Arts Club, an old institution, now revitalized by their Executive Director and my dear friend Ben Hartley. Here’s what she wrote in her blog:
“First a plug for the National Arts Club which, in my opinion, has had the best roster of free online, (and now in person), activities since the start of the pandemic. Although I’ve enjoyed numerous virtual events, I went to the club in person for a flower arranging class led by Elise Bernhardt, a “sixtysomething woman with a salt and pepper pixie cut” as described in The New Yorker to which the writer could have added peppy and fun. .
Elise began the session with stretching and breathing exercises that got the blood flowing and helped us relax as she intended.
She provided three large tubs of flowers for us to work with as well as vases half-filled with water. Elise has studied Ikebana, the ancient Japanese art of flower arrangement that adheres to strict rules, and is very precise. She was quick to point out that she is more laissez-faire than precise which is part of what made her class so delightful.
She offered “suggestions” for effective floral arrangements including:
Aim for asymmetry,·vary stem lengths get rid of leaves especially those below the water line as submerged leaves encourage growth of bacteria shortening the lives of the flowers
Change the water every other day and recut stems when you do to increase floral longevity·when you change the water vary your arrangement.
Elise had us start with three flowers moving on from there and ending with five or so. My arrangement wasn’t spectacular but some were—regardless, any help arranging the flowers I mostly buy at the local deli was useful.
The whole event which took about an hour was wonderful and would enliven almost any party. Elise’s website is www.fleurelisebkln.com which is clever in itself (music students take note.)I had no trouble getting home on the subway with my flowers but wonder how the woman who traveled by bike made out.”
Thank you Mari for such a lovely tribute and detailed description of my class. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.