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WEST AUSTRALIAN FLORAL ART SOCIETY INC 'AIMS'

The aims of the West Australian Floral Art Society Inc is to :

	Cultivate an appreciation of flowers and floral design
	Develop the skills of creative floral design among its members by friendly competition at its meetings, with monthly demonstrations and periodic workshops.
	Foster a friendly atmosphere to enjoy the beauty of flowers and admire the creative talents of the members.

The West Australian Floral Art Society is the recognised 'State Body' for Floral Art in Western Australia. The National Association is the Australian Floral Art Association.

A Report compiled for a national magazine is included for further information regarding the WA Floral Art Society Inc.......

WEST AUSTRALIAN FLORAL ART SOCIETY INC

(Report compiled by Dianne Buckles December 2006)

A Society rich in history that takes knowledge from the past and works towards the future

In 2007 this society Celebrates 55 Years of Floral Art in Western Australia

The West Australian Floral Art Society Inc is the recognised ‘State Body’ for floral art in Western Australia - under the umbrella of our ‘Parent Association’ the Australian Floral Art Association Inc (AFAA) with a membership of 120 and with ages ranging from ‘20 years old to 95 years young’.

This society has produced many outstanding floral designers throughout its 55 years with many members receiving awards locally, nationally and internationally. The commitment of our members ensures this society continues to grow and look towards new and exciting times in floral art - where the focus to see Floral Art recognised as an ‘Art Form’ continues to drive this society to producing bigger and better events, highlighting our art form and our members creative skills to the wider community.

This society endeavors to promote ‘Friendship Through Flowers’ and our ‘Aims’ are to; cultivate an appreciation of flowers and floral design; to develop the skills of creative floral design among its members by friendly competition at its meetings, with monthly demonstrations and periodic workshops and to foster a friendly atmosphere to enjoy the beauty of flowers and admire the creative talents of the members.

With a long history of promoting floral art in this state, our society continues the long tradition of providing monthly meetings where floral artists are able to participate at their own level by offering a variety of competitive sections and activities for our membership

Our normal monthly meetings provide 10 sections where members can stage designs and operates under the following format :

‘SHOW BENCHES’

Sections specifically designed to allow members to progress at their ‘own pace’

6 ‘Show Bench’ Sections where 1 ‘Definition Subject’ and 1 ‘Interpretative Subject’ are staged in either the Novice, Intermediate or Senior Sections. Members usually commence staging their competitive designs in these classes and progress through to the three sections. For a member to progress through all 3 sections it generally takes around 2 years and during that time members gain a good knowledge of ‘Definition’ subjects and the principles and elements of design.

‘OPEN BENCHES’

These sections are open to any member of the society to stage a design

	A ‘Foliage’ Section –only foliages can be used in this class, but any type of design can be staged
	Members Choice Section – a class where members are able to stage any particular style or type of design. A diverse class where ‘Abstracts’ can be staged alongside a ‘Hogarth Curve’.
	Open Section – a particular ‘Definition’ subject is to be staged (as per yearly Show Schedule)
	Interpretative Section – a class where a designated ‘Interpretative Subject’ is to be staged (as per yearly Show Schedule)

Members usually stage around 40 designs at monthly meetings and our own Judges provide assessment, personal feedback to exhibitors and offer a general analysis of 1 bench class per meeting. Awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places are given in all sections, with 1st and 2nd places awarded for Best in Show, Colour and Creative. Certificates are issued to all placings and a ‘token’ trophy given to the recipients of a 1st place.

Demonstrations are also provided at every meeting with a Judge demonstrating 2 subjects (1 ‘Definition Subject’ and 1 ‘Interpretative Subject’). The 2 subjects are selected from our ‘Yearly Show Schedule’ (‘Show Bench’ subjects), and with Judges demonstrating these topics one month in advance; members are able to acquire inspiration and gain a greater understanding of specific designing guidelines by being shown how to construct these designs. Many visitors express that ‘Your monthly meetings are more like ‘Mini Exhibitions rather than ‘meetings – and with so many activities offered to your members, everyone is able to choose what suits them!’ - and yes, many would have to agree with that statement.

‘Mini lessons’ are also conducted prior to the commencement of our monthly meetings (lasting approx 1 hour) where a small group of members (generally around 12) are able to learn, discuss, and exchange knowledge and ideas on a variety of subjects.

This society also conducts 2 ‘Special meetings’ each year, with the first being our ‘At Home Meeting’, held in June, where our affiliated clubs (2 metropolitan clubs and 4 country clubs), family and friends are encouraged to visit and enjoy some ‘Floral Fellowship’. A guest demonstrator is usually invited to provide the special demonstrations. The same monthly format applies at this meeting but we also conduct our annual ‘Members Championship’ Competitions where large designs staged in a 122cm x 122cm floor space are created in the ‘Open Championship Class’ and another class (restricted to members currently exhibiting in the ‘Show Benches’) is also offered for members to compete in.

The other special meeting is our annual ‘Christmas Meeting’ where a guest demonstrator provides our special demonstration and again we ‘open our doors’ to welcome other clubs and guests to share in our end of year celebrations where our Annual Awards and Affiliated Club trophies are presented.

Besides the ‘Members Championship’ competitions the prestigious annual ‘Western Australian Floral Art Society State Championship for Floral Art Competitions’ are held every year and always provide a wonderful exhibition. These competitions are open to any floral designer and attract much interest from the general public.

This Society has 20 floral art Judges who meet on a monthly basis - who continue to exhibit, compete and demonstrate on a regular basis. The WA Floral Art Society recently conducted a two-year ‘Trainee Judges Programme’ and offers a Judges Accreditation programme for qualified Judges. An annual all day workshop is also held to aid in the development of Judges and Trainee Judges, enhance judging and analysing skills and to ensure judges are operating under the direction of the WA Floral Art Society and in conjunction with the Australian Floral Art Association National Manual for Floral Art. Judges also provide workshops for members throughout the year and participation is encouraged. Judges also avail themselves to provide demonstrations, workshops and assessment for other floral art groups in the metropolitan area.

This society Welcomes new members and any visitors who may be in Western Australia during our meeting times - with meetings held on the 2nd Saturday of the month (except January) at the Osborne Park Community Centre, 11 Royal Street, Osborne Park from approx 12.15pm till 4.45pm.

The West Australian Floral Art Society Inc endeavours to promote Floral Art and 'Friendship Through Flowers'

WA Floral Art Society Website 'Site Map'

Website developed and managed for the West Australian Floral Art Society Inc by Dianne Buckles.

For any problems or questions regarding this website please contact Dianne on email : dbuckles@bigfoot.com.au

Last updated: December 01, 2007.