Blossoming Creativity: CIT Students Infuse Floriade with Storybook Flowers

Canberra Institute of Technology Students Showcase Storybook Flowers at Floriade

A Display of Childhood Classics

Australian students at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) will be bringing some of their favorite childhood stories to life at Floriade, a popular tourism festival in Canberra. The students have created a 10-day display called Storybook Flowers, where they will use flowers to depict classic tales such as Alice in Wonderland, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Overcoming Challenges

One of the students, Maggie Phimphakayson, had always dreamt of studying floristry but was hesitant due to her severe hay fever. However, she took the plunge and pursued it, and it has turned out to be the best decision of her life. Despite occasional sneezing in class, she has acclimatized to the environment and is now excited to display her work at Floriade. Phimphakayson is focusing her display on Tinkerbell from Peter Pan, creating a floral gown and a mystical land with more than 200 flowers and various plant materials.

Interactive and Meditative Displays

Another CIT student, Tallulah Farrow, is building an interactive display around the genie’s lamp from Aladdin and The Arabian Nights. Her installation will feature a cloud of flowers emerging from the lamp and will also serve as a meditative space, complete with pillows and candles. Visitors will even have the opportunity to rub the lamp and enter their three wishes via a QR code.

The Journey to Floriade

Despite taking unconventional paths, both Phimphakayson and Farrow have found their passion for plants and floristry. Phimphakayson, who initially studied tourism, started an indoor plant business during COVID when people were seeking to bring the outside in. Farrow, on the other hand, returned to Canberra during the pandemic after studying philosophy and anthropology as part of a college tennis scholarship in the US. Both students have found inspiration and fulfillment through their floral creations.

A Transformational Experience

Narelle Phillips, the floristry teacher at CIT, highlights that Floriade is a significant event for the students every year and serves as a platform for showcasing their skills. Students are involved in the entire process of creating a public floral display, from initial client meetings with Floriade organizers to building and setting up their installations on-site. This experience serves as a key assessment for the students, requiring them to apply the techniques and skills they have learned throughout their course. The displays also need to be durable enough to last the 10-day festival.

Springtime Inspirations and Opportunities

Phillips acknowledges that spring is an exciting time for CIT and its students, as it offers opportunities for growth and exploration. Recently, 17 students embarked on a two-day excursion to Sydney, visiting botanical gardens, flower markets, and prominent public displays. This excursion allowed them to see the potential career paths in floristry and gain a broader perspective on the industry.

Conclusion

Floriade provides a platform for CIT students to showcase their creativity and skills in floristry. Through their unique interpretations of classic stories, the students bring joy and nostalgia to the festival attendees. This event not only challenges the students academically and creatively but also serves as a stepping stone towards their future careers in floristry. With their unbridled creativity and dedication, these students are set to make a mark in the world of floral design.