Cathedral Flowers Go On The Road
Hats off to volunteers from the Cathedral's Altar Guild, who were invited to display their floral magic as part of one of D.C.'s hottest spring expos.
Mary Wright Baylor and Laura Scanlon, two intrepid volunteers from the Cathedral’s altar guild, were given the assignment of designing a floral display that drew from a large piece of art at the Anderson House, the Beaux Arts-style mansion that now houses the Society of the Cincinnati and its American Revolution Institute.
(Larz and Isabel Anderson were Cathedral benefactors and are interred in St. Mary’s Chapel, where the flower guild sets up shop before major holidays).
The Art in Bloom expo started in 2021 to celebrate the city’s floral community, and Mary and Laura were assigned a large mural that celebrated the end of the Civil War. Obviously, a big mural needs a big arrangement to match.
From the description:
Florist’s inspiration: We are inspired by the spirit of restraint depicted by the allegorical figures at the center of the mural. Holding a shield instead of a weapon, the figure at the foreground subdues his counterparts who are eager to use their weapons. Simultaneously, the artist portrays the release of an enslaved person from his bonds by an angel. The mural represents the tension between war and peace, bondage and freedom. Our color palette reflects the muted tones of their robes and a serene landscape.
Recipe: Coral bark maple and camellia branches from the garden are complemented by eucalyptus to create our line. Featured flowers include dianthus, garden roses, hellebores, ranunculus, calla lilies, and thistle in muted tones.
Congrats, Mary and Laura!