ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Loann Burke, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, won the grand prize in the 48th Annual Sylvia Cup Design Competition on Sept. 12 during SAF Amelia Island 2015, the Society of American Florists' 131st Annual Convention. As grand prize winner, Burke receives a silver trophy cup, $3,000 and a complimentary registration to SAF Maui 2016. Derek Woodruff, AIFD, PFCI, CF, of Floral Underground in Traverse City, Michigan, was first runner-up and received $500; and Jenna Naylor, AIFD, GMF, of Bloom with Jenna in Snellville, Georgia, whose entry was sponsored by the Arkansas Florist Association, was second runner-up and received $250.
The Sylvia Cup is the country's longest running live floral design competition. The Sylvia Cup Design Competition began in 1967 and is named for Sylvia Valencia, a prominent designer and long-time SAF supporter.
Among the 17 floral designers competing were 13 members of the American Institute of Floral Designers, three contestants sponsored by state floral associations for winning recent contests, and six past Sylvia Cup contestants.
"What an awesome, high caliber panel of competitors," said Professional Floral Communicators – International Board of Trustees member and Sylvia Cup Coordinator D Damon Samuel, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, NAFD, NMF, of the Bill Doran Company in Omaha, Nebraska. "All their designs were amazing."
Each contestant received the same materials from the competition's sponsors — flowers and foliage from the California Cut Flower Commission and design supplies from Smithers-Oasis — and challenge. Inspired by "Cirque du Soleil," Samuel devised three "Cirque du Fleur" design concepts:
- "Delirious" – Create a functional, mystical Floral Headpiece to be worn in a Cirque du Fleur performance. … Remember the headpiece should be perfectly balanced just like the performer!
- "Mysterious" – Bring to life your best Table Centerpiece to be used at the Opening Gala of a Cirque du Fleur event. Just as in music, it must embody a strong sense of rhythm.
- "Karma" – Design your best harmonious Bridal Bouquet that must include something suspended within the design.
A panel of three judges appointed by the PFCI Board of Trustees evaluated the contestants' designs. The judges scored each design based on nine factors covering design elements, design principles, mechanics and execution and creative application. The highest combined score determined the winner. Judges were: Joyce Mason-Monheim, AAF, AIFD, AzMF, CFD, PFCI, from Tucson, Arizona; Sylvia Cup 2014 Grand Prize Winner Jacob McCall, AAF, AIFD, FSMD, of The Elite Flower in Miami, Florida; and Jerome Raska, AAF, AIFD, CAFA, CF, PFCI, of Blumz by…JRDesigns in metro Detroit.
The top three scores in each design category received First, Second and Third Place recognition:
"Delirious" Floral Headpiece
FIRST PLACE
Derek Woodruff, AIFD, PFCI, CF
Floral Underground
Traverse City, Michigan
SECOND PLACE
Jenna Naylor, AIFD, GMF
Bloom with Jenna
Snellville, Georgia
Sponsored by Arkansas Florist Association
THIRD PLACE
Loann Burke, AAF, AIFD, PFCI
Furst Florist and Greenhouses
Dayton, Ohio
"Mysterious" Table Centerpiece
FIRST PLACE
Sharon Sabin Ivey, AIFD, PFCI, GMF
Bishop, Georgia
SECOND PLACE
Loann Burke, AAF, AIFD, PFCI
Furst Florist and Greenhouses
Dayton, Ohio
THIRD PLACE
Brooke Raulerson, AIFD, FSMD
Artistic Florist
Fernandina Beach, Florida
"Karma" Bridal Bouquet
FIRST PLACE
Brooke Raulerson, AIFD, FSMD
Artistic Florist
Fernandina Beach, Florida
SECOND PLACE
Jenna Naylor, AIFD, GMF
Bloom with Jenna
Snellville, Georgia
Sponsored by Arkansas Florist Association
THIRD PLACE
Derek Woodruff, AIFD, PFCI, CF
Floral Underground
Traverse City, Michigan
Save the date: The 49th Annual Sylvia Cup Design Competition takes place on Sept. 24 during SAF Maui 2016, SAF's 132nd Annual Convention, Sept. 21-24, 2016, at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua in Maui, Hawaii.
The Society of American Florists is the leading organization representing all segments of the floral industry. SAF is proud to provide marketing, business and government services to its members, including growers, wholesalers, retailers, suppliers, importers, educators, designers and allied organizations. The association was chartered by an act of Congress in 1884.
Source: The Society of American Florists