Floral Art Society of Victoria
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Brief history of the Floral Art Society of Victoria
The Floral Art Society of Victoria was formed in 1978 on the initiative of founding members Glenda Nielsen and Margaret Wilson. Their purpose was to form a floral art organization which would allow for the creativity and freedom in presentation and expression not accommodated by the conventions of the time. The aims of the Society from the beginning to the present day have been to develop a wider interest in Floral Art, to raise the status of Floral Art amongst the Arts, and to be a completely independent body with the right to affiliate with organizations of similar interests.

The Society was formally incorporated in 1985 to establish its status as a legal entity.
The Society is committed to the development and promotion of Floral Art on a non-competitive basis, using the recognised principles of good design. Current techniques of recent trends are keenly studied and practised by its designers.

Exhibition and display work have always been a major part of the Society's activities over the years. The Society's presence at significant public events, provides a platform to create awareness of the Society's existence and the benefits of membership.
A highlight in our history was the invitation by the Director of the National Gallery of Victoria to stage an exhibition in April 1993 in the Great Hall of the Gallery beneath the magnificent Leonard French ceiling, thus fulfilling our aim to have Floral Art acknowledged as a recognised art form. Twenty-one members of the Society took part in this historical event.

In 1997, eighty Society members provided stunning designs for the Flower Festival and Ceremonial Embroidery Exhibition at St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne. The finest of the Archdiocesan collection of embroidered vestments were displayed beside the beautiful floral arrangements.
Currently in focus, is the Society's spectacular exhibit at the annual Melbourne International Flower And Garden Show, held at the Royal Exhibition Building in Autumn.

The Society's first live-in Floral Design Seminar was held in 1981 at the Melbourne University. At approximately three-year intervals, seven more live-in seminars were held at Ballarat University and Geelong (Deakin) University. The Society held the 9th live-in seminar at the Ballarat Bell Tower Convention Centre in October 2006.

Each year, from 1986 to 1996, the Society published a Floral Art Diary, featuring fifty-two photographs of members' floral designs. With reluctance, the committee discontinued this publication.

The Society celebrated its Pearl anniversary in July 2008 marking 30 years of achievements which has established the Society as a driving force in Floral Art in Victoria.

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