Gardeners in a Gallery

Gardeners in a Gallery

by Gosia Barrette, Master Gardener

This year members of MMGA took part in the 2026 WAG – Qaumajuq “Art in Bloom” – a festival of art and flowers. The event, which happens every other year, is based on the concept of using flowers and other materials to interpret paintings and carvings chosen by the Art in Bloom Committee, working closely with WAG-Qaumajug. Participants also submitted a brief write-up explaining their vision for the chosen art prior to starting their interpretations.

Ninety-five works were featured with over 100 participants bringing together the floral industry and floral enthusiasts to fill the WAG-Qaumajug with flowers and creativity. Our own members, Master Gardeners and Interns participated not only by representing the Association but also by creating individual pieces or representing other groups.

 

The Process:

It was wonderful to see the final interpretations in-person or posted on social media, but what about the process of how these arrangements came to be? I reached out to the MMGA members who participated this year to find out.

The elegant curves of the umiak inform our vision. The clay used for the sculpture inspired the palette of muted yellows, pale whites and earthly tones which capture the vast and endless landscape of Kivalliq where the Arctic tundra turns green in the summer months. We honour the man and his guiding companions in the umiak as they navigate the open sea during the seal hunt.
The group representing the MMGA chose from the glass vault of contemporary Inuit Art the umiak (open boat) as their piece due to its unique shape. The group held their first meeting at the WAG to see the carving. They researched the artist Philip Hakuluk, whose primary residence was Rankin Inlet Kivalliq, and studied the landscape of the region for inspiration.

 

Because the shape of the umiak would be the anchor for the entire arrangement, there was some debate between many choices – even considering a serving dish to see if it would work. In the end, when a piece of driftwood from Debbie Innes was placed on the display platform during final decision making, Laverne Dahlin’s kitchen filled with excitement that a winner was found. Plant textures were selected to represent the figures in the umiak, dried protea (Protea cynaroides) for the human figure representing the journey during seal hunt season, bunny tail grass (Lagurus ovatus) to interpret the hare, and the texture of dried ginger (Zingiber officinale) for the owl.

We chose this piece as it reflects a moment in time of spirituality, growth, vulnerability, change, and empowerment. We, as spiritual beings, experience change, the ebb and flow within us, throughout our lives. Our compact yet fanning design embodies the Spirit and its creative energy. Our use of the colours red, blue, and purple represent blood of the human body and the sacrifice our bodies make for creation, for ourselves, and life itself.
Brenna Gagnon, one of our Interns, with Allie James, used bright colours as the inspiration for the chosen Inuit art from the glass vault. Indeed, the hint of the vibrant reds in the florals drew the viewer in with curiosity as they turned the corner of the glass vault to see the arrangement. Finding the corresponding carving made the viewer appreciate the final interpretation and chosen floral colours, all that more symbolic.

Representing the St. Vital Agricultural Society Flower Arrangers Group Homer Ransford Watson, a committed environmentalist, had a strong penchant for painting mood inducing landscapes with vivid atmospheric effects. This painting evokes the juxtaposition of the dark skies at the end of a tumultuous storm, with the yellows and pinks of a calming sky settling on a pastoral landscape. We captured this mood of returning lightness and sense of calm using lush greens and fallen dead wood, alongside the yellow and pink blooms to depict the filtering light
For Sharon Gray and her team representing the St. Vital Agricultural Society Flower Arrangers Group, this was a chance to put their skills on public display as they navigated a challenging art piece notable for its size and muted tones.

The group met at the WAG to study the painting and researched the artist’s background as an environmentalist highlighting the juxtaposition of landscape and atmospheric events. They incorporated a bonsai tree as their focal point and moss to create the pasture. The dark skies were represented with dried pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) and Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota ‘Dara’). The final touch of lifelike cows were added to finish the scene.

Esther and Ahasuerus, attributed to Melchior Lorck Floral interpretation by Master Gardener Esther Chen. “Because of my birth name, I feel a profound connection to the story of Esther. In this painting, the deep, solemn tones convey reverence and intensity. Dark reds and browns suggest conspiracy and tension, while black and pale yellow reflect Esther’s courage and purity. Through my design, I aim to capture this contrast —expressing both the drama and the quiet spiritual strength that define the atmosphere of the original work.”
For Master Gardner, Esther Chen, this was her second time participating. Esther’s inspiration was a profound connection to painting’s name – “Esther and Ahasuerus”. She played with colours like dark reds, browns and blacks to contrast the drama and the quiet spiritual strength of the painting’s main subject – Queen Esther.

Daphne Odjig has a legacy as an artist, advocate and was a creative force for change. Recently, she was featured on a commemorative coin. Perhaps in this piece, she is searching to understand the meaning of her name Daphne in Greek mythology or, is it a spiritual reference to her Indigenous heritage? My interpretation captures the vibrancy of this work’s structure and colour.
Anyone who came out to the event this year would have seen Debbie Innes’ skillfully arranged interpretation. Debbie’s piece had a grand presence and her selection of florals were carefully curated. Debbie also provided invaluable guidance to other participants, including the groups representing MMGA and the St. Vital Agricultural Society.

 

I hope that members of the MMGA were able to visit the event and appreciate the interpretations in person. For a brief weekend, art was the inspiration for something that we as gardeners enjoy so much – working with plants and flowers.