The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks,
The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and
spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."
In the summer heat, the only flowers that are not wilting are at the University Museum. Throughout July, the museum located at the north end of Faner Hall will be exhibiting a silk flower display entitled "Flowers in the Atrium." The exhibit will feature lifelike silk floral arrangements crafted by exceptional local floral designers.
"'Flowers in the Atrium' reflects a tradition of stretching back centuries and stretching forward to today," exhibit curator and museum studies major Erin Smith said in an official press release.
Smith also said she developed an appreciation for floral arranging while working in a flower shop.
Many local florists will be displaying their arrangements, such as Floral Designs and Antiques of Harrisburg, Flower Girls Florist of Donora, The Flower Patch LTD of Pinckneyville, Fox's Flowers and Gifts of Marion, Garden Gate Florist of Marion, Ivy Moon Floral of West Frankfort and Jerry's Flower Shoppe of Carbondale.
Vivian Felts, a florist at Fox's Flowers and Gifts, 419 S. Court St. in Marion, said that the exhibitors for the "Flowers in the Atrium" display had the chance to break away from the standard arrangements and do something out of the ordinary. For example, she designed a birdhouse.
"We really enjoy our jobs and we really enjoy creating things," Felts said.
Felts said taking part in the exhibit interested her because part of the profits for the auction are to be given to the Art Association at SIUC and the employees at Fox's thought it was a good cause.
Many of the participating florists want to give back to the community with something a little creative.
"We wanted to do our part for community support and represent Carbondale," said Nolan Williamson, an employee who designs the majority of silk arrangements at Jerry's Flower Shoppe, 216 W. Freeman St. in Carbondale.
Visiting the exhibit will also keep you from wilting in the summer sun - for free.
The flower exhibit can be viewed through July 27, between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 1-4 p.m. Saturday through Monday. The museum will be closed on July 4.
On July 27, the exhibit will be concluded with a free public reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Until 3 p.m. that day, visitors may place silent bids on the arrangements. The proceeds will be divided between the individual florists and the museum.
For additional information, contact the museum at 453-5388 or visit it on the Internet at www.museum.siu.edu.
