Chris Giftos, master event planner and floral designer for The Met for 33 years, comes to town bringing his expertise and ease in a world of glamour and elegance. During his time at the museum he worked closely with many of the world's rich and famous. His famous Costume Institute Gala was “the place to be.”
It all began at age 22, when Giftos gave up accounting and started working at Paris Flower Shop on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Former first ladies Bess Truman, Pat Nixon, and Jackie Kennedy, and movie stars Greta Garbo and Elizabeth Taylor ordered his floral creations. When Elizabeth Taylor married Richard Burton for the first time, he made the bridal bouquet of yellow freesia, which merited its own airline seat on its way to the wedding.
As he creates spectacular floral arrangements on stage at the AIB opening lecture on Thursday morning, April 25, he’ll dish the gossip about innumerable luminaries, including Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Princess Diana, and Lady Gaga. Giftos has appeared on Martha Stewart and Oprah. When asked about his presentations, he smiles and says that he name-drops as often as he can.
Even though she has been called a video artist, Jennifer Steinkamp does not think of herself as part of the media art world. Instead, this accomplished installation artist works with video and new media to create mesmerizing images that explore space, motion and perception. Hurdy Gurdy Man (Chrysanthemums) at the MIA is a digital projection of the wonders of nature represented by unfolding and undulating colorful chrysanthemums, that could be swaying to Donovan's late-sixties tune of the same name.
Steinkamp has shown her work all over the world in a variety of venues. She had her trees projected on the walls of the runway at Valentino's 2010 Spring/Summer couture show. Besides the MIA, permanent collections of museums such as Istabul Modern, The Denver Art Museum and CAC Museum of Málaga hold her work. The MIA was able to acquire Hurdy Gurdy Man (Chrysanthemums) from its 2010 exhibition “Until Now: Collecting the New.” This year a newly-commissioned Steinkamp artwork will also be a part of the MIA collection.
Besides creating beguiling art, Steinkamp is a professor in the department of Design | Media Arts at UCLA. She spent her adolescence in Edina, Minnesota, then left for California to attend Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.
For over forty years, Ardith Beveridge has played an integral role in the floral industry. She is in demand as a judge at floral competitions here and abroad. Fans of the Home & Garden Television (HGTV) Television viewers will recognize Beveridge. She also has appeared on national and cable channels and PBS stations.
Ardith Beveridge is the director of education and an instructor at Koehler and Dramm Institute of Floristry in Minneapolis. Her seminars include design, display, trends, color, and care and handling. Beveridge has designed prestigious events such as the Tournament of Roses Parade, presidential inaugurations, and presidential Easter celebrations. She works on a regular basis with the office of the Minnesota State Governor. And on the global scene, Beveridge has recently worked in Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, and New Zealand.
Ardith Beveridge, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, CAFA, was recipient of the 2012 Tommy Bright Award. This award is the highest honor presented by Professional Floral Communicators–International (PFCI) to its members. It is named after Ethel “Tommy” Bright, whose motto was “Learn More, Teach Others.” PFCI Chairman Vince Butera said: “Ardith has set the standard, pushing education to another level.”
Generous support provided by Art in Bloom 2013 Honorary Chair Chichi Steiner, Bachman's, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Gabberts Design Studio & Fine Furnishings, Martha Head, Lakewood Cemetery, John and Nancy Lindahl, Macy's, The Private Client Reserve of U.S. Bank, and Stream Global Services.
Additional support provided by Acendas, Caldrea, Creative Kidstuff, Edina Eye Physicians & Surgeons, E.M. Birt • Imaging • Insight • Innovation, Luther Auctions, Sally Mathieu, Velia R. Melrose, Minnesota Oncology, Nash Finch Company, Olson Law Firm, Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping, Teresa Pfister, Arturo Steely, and Maxine Wallin.
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