Pam Rowland to Present at AIFD National Symposium

CONTACT: LISA GARRETT, EXT. 2315

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 6/15/2000
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Nationally recognized florist Pam Rowland will present a design program focusing on the African influence on flowers and fashion at the American Institute of Floral Designers' (AIFD) national symposium next month.

Mrs. Rowland, of Pendleton, who also teaches floral design classes at Tri-County Technical College, will present "Kuumba: The African Influence" at the July 1 – 5 symposium in Florida. The program is underwritten by Knud Nielsen Company, Inc.

Kuumba, which means creativity, is one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, the seven-day celebration in December, which encourages people to think about their African roots as well as their life in present-day America, said Mrs. Rowland.

"The African slaves brought with them their own wealth, a cultural heritage as rich in language, lore, and customs," said Mrs. Rowland.

At the July AIFD show, she will present several woven floral art pieces as an interpretation of sweet grass basket weaving, a traditional art form brought to this country by slaves who came from West Africa more than 300 years ago. Other pieces include a wall hanging and a suspended structure represent the ethnic look in today's interiors.

I really enjoy working in the medium of dried materials," she said. "For this project, I was able to create a lot of unusual designs that I wouldn't normally do in traditional floral work. This project was interesting and educational for me," she added. "Through my research, I learned a tremendous amount of African American history."

She added that the popularity of the African look in decorating and an increased interest in Kwanzaa and ethnic weddings are new marketing opportunities for floral designers.

In 1991 she was inducted into the AIFD, which she says was the highlight of her career.

In 1993 she was the S.C. Telefloral Design America winner, and in 1996 she was the FTD America Cup winner. Along with her training at Tri-County, she took Redbook advanced courses in 1995 and completed the Phil Rulloda advanced floral design program in 1990. She participated in a floral course taught by world-renowned trendsetter and German designer
Gregor Lersch in 1998.

Her dried floral work was chosen and displayed in the designer showcase Southern Living House, the Wren House, on the Clemson University campus.

For 18 years Mrs. Rowland owned Floral Designs in Liberty. She returned to her alma mater in 1997 to teach a series of floral design classes. She is a 1977 graduate of Tri-County Technical College's first Floral Design class.

Next month she will teach Basic Floral July 25 - 27 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Students will be introduced to the basic skills of floral design. They will learn the principles and elements of floral design and the foundation of design. This is a hands-on course where students work and understand the steps to construction, as well as the care and handling of fresh flowers. This is the introductory course for the floral certificate course or can be taken for personal interest.

Future classes include:
Floral Design II, August 8 – 23
Weddings, August 29 – September 14
Sympathy, September 19 – 28
Holiday Decorations, November 8 – 10

For more information or to register, contact Ext. 2220 at one of these numbers: Anderson County -- 225-2250; Coon County -- 882-4412; Pickens County -- 859-7033; or Clemson/Pendleton/Anderson -- 646-8361. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled should call TDD/VOICE 1-800-735-2905.
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