Local photographer and videographer Laura Bombier has implemented a fun and beautiful new initiative around Muskoka, which she calls a ‘floral flash’.
Bombier and some friends created Flower Buddha in 2020 to bring joy and happiness into people’s lives.
On Saturday, March 6, members of Flower Buddha constructed a vibrant floral installation on the ice at Dwight Beach.
“Dwight Beach is a wonderful spot for locals and tourists to gather and be outside during COVID,” said Bombier. “The new skating track was a fabulous addition this winter and we wanted to add to that environment.”
While this was their first floral flash, they used flowers to bring joy to people’s faces on Valentine’s Day by handing out “tired” flowers that couldn’t be sold to singles, seniors, friends, and loved ones.
“I saw an article about an amazing Japanese designer who froze flowers in ice and immediately I knew we had to create a beautiful and random installation outside on Lake of Bays,” said Bombier.
The structure took six hours to complete from start to finish and was designed by Flower Buddha’s in-house florist Katherine Seiggel.
“It’s been a tough year. We all know flowers make us happy. Wouldn’t life be better if flowers were part of our everyday? Flowers are good for the soul, for every space and something we should give to ourselves and to others, anytime, no occasion needed other than just living,” said Bombier.
The structure for the installation was made almost completely from foraged materials. All of the flowers were donated by Flower Buddha, including roses, Hypericum berries, gladiolus, Leucadendron, a mixture of greenery, pink pampas grass, and other dried flowers.
“We were so happy to be outside, together, creating an art piece for all to enjoy!” said Bombier. “I was standing by the installation the next day and people were showing up, specifically to take photos of it as word had spread. I heard numerous people say how beautiful it was, that it was such an amazing and wonderful thing to do. Hearing these comments made our day.”
The group has plans for more ‘floral flashes’. Follow them on Instagram @theflowerbuddha to see where they pop up next.
“Creating this floral piece made me smile from start to finish, from foraging the structure in the forest to designing with the flowers on the lake,” said Seiggel. “I believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy flowers and not always be in a vase on your table. I loved designing this piece as I knew it would create a moment of happiness for anyone that came across it. Making someone smile these days, makes me happy!”
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