The Davis Flower Arrangers March 1 program will be presented by MJ Kelly, one of our all-time favorite presenters.

Be forewarned this program will not be a floral demonstration but an educational one. Kelly’s goal is for participants to learn and understand how to use the key tools and items that are most helpful in designing floral arrangements.

When Kelly realized that there was a great void in the knowledge of available tools and items and how to use them successfully in floral design, she decided to offer a special program to address the issue. She plans to demonstrate how to adapt tools and items to anchor, build and support arrangements to create movement, balance, proportion and emphasis.

The program format will be relaxed and she encourages people to participate and ask questions throughout the program. She wants us to learn and leave her presentation excited to experiment and incorporate new tools and items in our own arrangements.

Creative adaptation and interpretation come naturally to Kelly who has degrees in both interior design and nursing.

After her children left home and she retired from her career as an RN, she began training in the Western style of floral design taught by Mary Fonseca, a wonderful instructor at American River College Adult Education Program.

She has also enjoyed 18 years of study with Sensei Kika Shibata exploring the immense possibilities of creating beauty in the Sogetsu school of Ikebana. Kelly discovered her creative passion in the freedom of the Sogetsu School and continues to share her joy and wisdom. She has proudly won two best of shows in the Camellia Festival and is a former president of Davis Flower Arrangers, Sacramento Floral Design Guild, and Ikebana International, chapter 26.

We hope to see you at Kelly’s presentation on Wednesday, March 1, at 2 p.m. at the Stonegate Country Club located at 919 Lake Blvd.

If you are not already a member but would like to join, please, send your $50 membership check to Davis Flower Arrangers, c/o Jo Anne Boorkman, 2205 Butte Place, Davis, Ca 95616 or bring it to the meeting on March 1.

Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, and email address so you receive the monthly newsletter, current updates, and invitations for all special events, workshops, and field trips. Visitors are welcome and are asked to donate at least $10 in cash or check. Recordings of the meetings will be available for members.

For more information, contact Stephanie DeGraff-Hunt at sdegraffhunt@gmail.com.