Shreveport Garden Study Club presents Cathy B. Graham

Special to 318 Forum

The Shreveport Garden Study Club, a member of the Garden Clubs of America, will host its biennial floral design symposium, “Bouquets,” beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19, at East Ridge Country Club in Shreveport. Admission to the event is $75, with limited seating. This year’s speaker will be the highly entertaining Cathy B. Graham.

The Garden Shop opens at 9:30 a.m., and Graham’s presentation starts at 11 a.m. A coffee, mimosa, and Bloody Mary cash bar will be available before the presentation. A picnic basket lunch can be enjoyed during this time. There will be a raffle of items donated by local merchants and a silent auction.

Celebrated flower aficionado Cathy B. Graham is the author of “Second Bloom” and “Full Bloom.” She is an award-winning fashion artist and illustrator, whose editorial work has appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone and New York Magazine. She has been commissioned by Bergdorf Goodman, Estée Lauder, CBS Records and HBO. “Second Bloom” and “Full Bloom” are exquisitely produced visual compendiums of her fantastical illustrations, fresh floral designs and exuberant entertaining ideas. Both have become some of the most coveted and collectible books on the artistry of floral design in recent years, engaging both novice enthusiasts and seasoned aesthetes.

With her inspiring, educational, entertaining and widely shared social media posts, popular interactive, in-person talks and other engagements across the country, Graham has become one of the most authoritative and accessible voices bridging art and flowers.

For decades, at-home entertaining has been second nature to Graham, and she has hosted informal and formal events with the same attention to detail and aplomb. From casual Saturday night suppers with neighborhood friends to more august dinners, including cultural influencers and titans of industry— and often a mix of both—at her home on New York’s Upper East Side, Graham continues to rewrite and redefine the rules of entertaining. She knows how a creatively dressed table and beautiful flowers can start a conversation and ultimately serve as a bridge to connect one and all.

For ticket information, email Karen Hardtner at courtmank@bellsouth.net or visit eventbrite.com. Tickets can also be obtained by mailing a check to Shreveport Garden Study Club, 924 Oneonta, Shreveport, LA 71106. Please include your name, address, phone number, and desired number of tickets.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the projects of the Shreveport Garden Study Club. One of the SGSC’s main projects is the restoration and maintenance of The Greenwood Cemetery, including the new educational pavilion, the pond and fountain, and student field trips to study this historic cemetery.