Massive effort ends in colourful floral display

September 2nd, 2012
[by Val Armstrong]

Motueka's own floral version of the World of Wearable Arts wowed an audience of nearly 200 people at the floral art demonstration at Memorial Hall yesterday.

The presentation, a theatrical fundraiser by the Floral Art Circle for the Cancer Society, was a huge step up from an already special Daffodil Day annual event held by the artistic group last year in the smaller Imagine Theatre.

Over $2000 was raised this year, a tribute to the hard work and imagination of Shirley Frater who led a team of eight members plus many helpers on the day.

Under the title "Boobytraps and Daffodils", a team of mainly students modelled over 20 outrageous bras and a number of other assemblies of garments made from recycled materials and flora, labelled "Horti-couture".

A feature item of the wearable art section was an elegant wedding dress made out of New World plastic shopping bags. Seven local floral art experts, including the professional invited guests Roseanne Armstrong and Jan Holt, also demonstrated designs made live on stage.

Shirley led the demonstrations with her creation under a Motueka theme - the colours of the sun, sea and sky - using flax and other native flora. As the afternoon progressed, the stage gradually filled up with floral creations and models, ending in an extravaganza of colour.

A huge amount of time went into the planning of this event, work which extended over several months and involved people from a range of community groups. The two-hour, non-stop show and lighting was a tribute yet again to the work of Mark Wentworth, who has been responsible for the improved staging and lighting of Memorial Hall.

Two of the boobytraps	A dress using woven coconut husks, a South Sea island theme
More boobytraps and horti-couture	Part of the final display, some created as the show progressed
The New World wedding outfit	The only male model harekeke mate
An outfit made from dried honesty leaves	A bowl made from pine needles, holding daffodils
Models assemble on the stage	Shirley Frater thanks all her helpers

By the end of the show, designers and colourful models filled the stage

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