Floral Art Competitions In Christchurch Shop

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29335, 14 October 1960, Page 2

Floral Art Competitions In Christchurch Shop

Two floral art competitions were run side by side in » Christchurch department store yesterday. Fourteen bays set at vantage points through the store had been artistically arranged by garden circle members of the Christchurch Area Federation of Townswomen’s Guilds. The departments were decorated to complement these and the best effect was judged.

First prize in the bay competition went to the Aranui Townswomen’s Guild’s arrangement, entitled “Her First Visit.” A rounded white jug on a hall table was filled with fragile white lilac, early white roses just coming out of bud, and spiky, half-opened arum lilies. As in all the bays, much attention had been paid to detail, and there was a single mimosa yellow glove dropped on the floor by the table. The backdrop featured a cleverly-executed charcoal drawing of winding Stairs and a hall window.

"Cool Delight,” which won second prize for the Somerfield Townswomen’s Guild, was a direct contrast to the elegance of the first. There was a more casual air about the arrangement of arum lilies and tulips standing on a coffee table of varnished natural wood, and the backdrop was of rattan. On the floor was a large cane basket filled with many different kinds of fruit. The judges, Mr Barry Ferguson and Mrs N. McCrostie, placed a “Silver Wedding” scene third. For this the back of the bay was draped with white silk net embroidered with a wide, scalloped band of solver. Tulips and lilies, favoured in many arrangements, were used in this booth and offset by vivid green flax 'spears. An iced silver wedding cake and an appropriate “gift” were details included. Jazz took its part in the townswomen’s display in a bay arranged

round the colourful covers of Brubeck records from the Newport Jazz Festival. . Scarlet tulips were set in a wall vase and in a crescent bowl. Contemporary curtaining with a musical motif formed toe backdrop. A large mixed arrangement named “Coffee” was in the home appliance department. It contained carnations, roses, tulips, and azaleas in sunset rose colours, spiced with the deep blue of irises. One original idea was noted in toe mantle department’s display. A store model was dressed in a frock of fresh cherry blossom.

Right through the store there was toe perfume of the lovely spring flowers used, the bowls and vases outside toe bay displays stood high above bolts of material and set on every available ledge. Though not included in toe competition, the spring theme was carried out on to the footpath where hanging baskets of ferns swung from toe aiwnings. i