October 25 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Famed floral designer Shane Connolly has designed events in countries across the world, and always with the same aim: to leave the smallest footprint behind and be led by what is local and available. Learn more about his unique approach to sustainable floristry during this exciting on-stage conversation and live floral design demonstration.
Using seasonal flowers and foliage from local woods and gardens, Connolly will bring his inimitable flair to an arrangement inspired by the natural beauty of Arkansas – showcasing his deep respect for nature, season, and setting.
Start your day at AMFA with a complimentary breakfast in the Atrium before the event, then make a lunch reservation at Park Grill to enjoy a meal full of seasonal flavors and local produce.
This programming is provided in partnership with P. Allen Smith’s Moss Mountain Farm and the Little Rock Garden Club.
About Shane Connolly
Connolly is a renowned floral designer and ambassador for sustainable floristry. His clients range from public institutions like the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Royal Academy of Arts, and the National Portrait Gallery in London, to a veritable “who’s who” in British society.
He is perhaps best known for his public work for The Royal Family. His most recent commission was The Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen at Westminster Abbey in 2023. He also designed the flowers for their marriage at Windsor Castle in 2005 and for the wedding of The Prince and Princess of Wales in 2011.
He has been awarded the Royal Warrants of Appointment to both His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen in 2024 and a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to sustainable floristry in 2025. He has written five books and teaches his approach to flower design all over the world, with its roots and ethos firmly in sustainability.
From the Woods and Gardens of Arkansas: A Conversation and Demonstration is supported in part by Barbara Rogers Hoover, Belinda Shults, and Hadidi Rug Gallery. This programming is provided in partnership with P. Allen Smith’s Moss Mountain Farm and the Little Rock Garden Club.
