What: Artscape Great Contributor Award luncheon honoring Martha Stewart
Where: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
The 411: Martha Stewart, iconic name in gardening, decorating, and entertaining, received the Dallas Arboretum’s 2018 Great Contributor to Art Award and made a day of exploring the expansive gardens while she was there.
At the event, she spoke to an audience hungry for her floral knowledge and signed copies of her 90th book, Martha’s Flowers: A Practical Guide to Growing, Gathering, and Enjoying. The tome features gardening advice along with more than 100 creative arrangements by Kevin Sharkey, her longtime friend and co-author, who was on hand for a Q&A with Stewart.
Stewart revealed that her father was her gardening inspiration and told a sweet story about how she got started. “I’ve been growing flowers with my dad since I was 3,” she told the audience. She entered her first flower show when she was 8 years old — and won — with starburst orange lilies in a tall silver container, she said.
The day of the event, Stewart toured the grounds, including the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, with president Mary Brinegar.
“I love your beautiful arboretum," Stewart said upon accepting her award from Artscape chairwoman Kaki Hopkins. "I know how much effort it takes to build such an amazing garden, so congratulations to Dallas. You are lucky to have such a place to gather and enjoy.”
Guests lunched on recipes from the honoree's Entertaining by Martha Stewart. Prepared by Gil’s Elegant Catering, the menu included chilled vichyssoise; escalope of salmon with sorrel sauce served with risotto, haricots verts, and carrots; blackberry mousse with lavender; and lemon tart with rose petals.
Centerpieces were inspired by arrangements from Martha’s Flowers and created by local floral artists John Holstead (PARC Floral and Events), Debby Jewesson (Branching Out Events), David Kimmel, and Kristen Wolchik (Haute Floral). Alicia and Adam Rico of Bows & Arrows created additional floral displays, including an outside flower wall, two inside floral walls, and arrangements on stage.
Guests also got the opportunity to bid on stunning local artwork, curated by Gail Sachson, with proceeds benefiting the Dallas Arboretum.
The program concluded with a conversation with Stewart and Sharkey. Stewart talked lovingly about her various gardens, including the one in Seal Harbor, Maine, where David Rockefeller knocked on her door and welcomed her to the neighborhood.
She ended with encouraging words for the audience about how to inspire the next generation of budding gardeners.
“Teach your kids where food comes from … children don’t know that these days," she said. "Gardening gives pleasure, knowledge, and appreciation for things you take for granted.”
Who: Mark Wolf, Sara Hundley, Robin Sefzik, Ginger Fox, Laura Humphrey, Jolie Humphrey, Julie Brown, Janis Wells, Brenda Miller, Taylor Collinsworth, Sandy Bluethman, Robin Carreker, Isaiah Pennington, Patricia Meadows, Carol Hall, Cindy Kypreos, Cindy Feld, Marilyn Weber, Kristina Wrenn, Anne Stodghill, Rachel Crawford, and Ashley Moore.
Jolie Humphrey, Julie Brown, Janis Wells
