Autumn is filled with beautiful hues of orange, green, beige, gold and cream.
The Thanksgiving Floral Arrangement Class hosted by The Barn at Bellemoor allows innovative locals to create their own lively centerpieces full of the colors and smells of the fall season.
Classes will be held at 1 p.m. each day Nov. 22-24. The Nov. 23 class is full, however, and the other classes each have five spots left. The class is $40 per person to learn how to make a fall floral arrangement using fresh ingredients — including leather leaf fern, pittosporum, Burford Holly, cedar and cypress and magnolia leaves.
“We own property in Ocala, and we have botanical gardens on the property with over 900 plants. We go out into the gardens every morning and choose the plants that will last well for two weeks,” said Kathy Sumner, owner of The Barn at Bellemoor wedding venue. “We cut in the morning before the classes start to have everything fresh. We look for whatever looks fresh and whatever would survive.”
During the engaging class, participants use the fresh flowers, a Styrofoam base, a candle, and other items to create the centerpiece after following the instructions provided.
“We usually host two or three hourlong classes, but people tend to stay longer to keep working or conversing,” Sumner said.
All materials needed for the class are provided, and students are treated to a small selection of appetizers and a sip of wine.
“We supply everything,” Sumner said. “We usually have cider wine during the classes, but they are welcome to bring their own wine.”
Classes are limited to 25 to 30 people at a time to ensure each students get personal attention needed to put together their arrange- ment.
“About 99.9% of the time, the students are women trying to learn how to put together a beautiful Thanks- giving centerpiece. We’ve had classes with one or two men, and men are also welcome, but it’s mostly been women,” Sumner added.
After years of watching students be pampered with fresh flowers, appetizers, wine, and craft materials to help their creativity flow, Sumner said she has realized how excited students get from seeing the versatility of the arrangements at the end of a class.
“Everyone is able to make a unique floral arrange- ment piece that will fit their thanksgiving table. Each person can choose what works best for their space,” she said. “Everyone just can’t believe the originality while looking at each other’s arrangements. They use different ribbons, candles or colors.”
Creating an arrangement is a relatively easy creative task, though it can be daunting for those who aren’t used to the practice.
“I’ve had students come in and say that they can’t do this, but then those are the students who leave with the most stunning arrangements,” Sumner said.
This year, along with the usual arrangement lessons, those who participate in the class will get two extra special fall themed demonstrations of art project activities that they can do at home.
For more information about classes or to reserve your space, call 352-553-8595 or visit Barn at Bellemoor on Facebook.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
