Kreg Hill and Dr. Bill Christensen conducted a workshop for the Desert Rose Society during the fall of 2002. The purpose of this article is to outline our workshop so that other societies plan conduct their own workshops. Our society has learned the best way to increase the participation in our local show is by conducting Arrangement Workshops.
Christensen, Vice-Director, Pacific Southwest District and outstanding arrangement judge, began by putting together an Oriental designed arrangement in a low open container.
As he selected and trimmed the materials he provided an amusing dialogue, which was often added to by Hill. You don’t need to be a Zen Buddhist to be successful at this, but it helps, Christensen said. This is like cooking; you have to keep working with it until it looks right. Some of the pointers Christensen drove home included: There should be three main lines, which include two branches and a flower. This type of arrangement is to be 1½ times the size of the container, (diameter + depth) and not to be tight or pushed together. It will be seen from the front, must lean forward slightly, with all material looking at the spectator.
Next the class put together two Oriental arrangements, one with miniature roses, hoping to mimic what they had just seen demonstrated.
After a critique session Kreg Hill, Pacific Southwest District Chair of Arrangement Judges, began a demonstration of a modern arrangement design using two containers. Some of the finer points included: There are no rules for modern arrangement except not to get too many things going. Groom the roses, placing them first before the line material. A bi-level arrangement comes out of two places, looking terrible when the containers are separated, but as one when placed together.
Hill offered information on thorn strippers and where to buy oasis, containers and other plant materials along with instructions on the arrangement. His main theme was always trimming the material. More is not better, he emphasized as he clipped additional leaves off the filler material. Remember that these arrangements aren’t riding in the back of a truck.
After lunch the students created a modern arrangement, adding to their knowledge as each arrangement was discussed.
To further prepare the class for the upcoming arrangement show, two types
of table settings were displayed and explained. Patti Harder, from Rancho Mirage
a member for more than eight years, was one of the eager students. I learned
a lot about the use of filler material and how to visualize it in arrangements,
she said. Kreg and Bill are excellent instructors as they have such a wealth
of knowledge and experience. We are so fortunate to have them visit so often.
An edited version of an article on Rose Arranging Workshop by Shirley Brenon,
from The Desert Rose, Nov. 2002.Photographs by Henry McCarty. Writer’s
Note: The officers and members of the Desert Rose Society want to express their
appreciation to Kreg Hill and Dr. Bill Christensen for their support in conducting
the Arrangement Workshop. The members that participated felt they had learned
more techniques in preparing rose arrangements, the type of materials to use
and were pleased with the results of their creative efforts.
