Derek Woodruff, AIFD, PFCI, CF Floral Underground Traverse City, Michigan
Derek Woodruff, AIFD, PFCI, CF, owner of Floral Underground in Traverse City, Michigan, won the grand prize in the 49th Annual Sylvia Cup Design Competition on Sept. 24 during SAF Maui 2016, the association’s 132nd Annual Convention in Maui, Hawaii. As grand prize winner, Woodruff receives a trophy cup, $3,000 and complimentary registration to SAF Palm Beach 2017, SAF’s next convention at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. Woodruff received First Runner-Up honors in the 2015 and 2014 Sylvia Cup contests.
The Sylvia Cup is the country’s longest running live floral design competition. The Sylvia Cup Design Competition began in 1967 and is named for Sylvia Valencia, a prominent designer and long-time SAF supporter.
Paul Latham, AIFD, the creative/director and co-owner of Fleur de Lis Events & Design in Louisville, Kentucky, was first runner-up and received $500; and Tricia Upshaw, AIFD, AMF, of Shirley’s Flower Studio Inc., in Rogers, Arkansas and sponsored by the Mid America Design Competition, was second runner-up and received $250.
Among the 13 floral designers competing in the 49th Annual Sylvia Cup Design Competition, were seven members of the American Institute of Floral Designers, seven past Sylvia Cup contestants and two contestants sponsored by state floral associations.
Each contestant received the same materials from the competition’s sponsors — flowers and foliage by the Certified American Grown and design supplies from Smithers-Oasis — and challenge. Sylvia Cup Coordinator J. Robbin Yelverton, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, of Blumz by…JRDesigns in metro Detroit, arranged the challenge — three designs in the theme “Elvis Aloha from Hawaii:”
- “Blue Suede Shoes” – Create a floral design suitable to attach to a pair of shoes for a moonlight dance on the beach with the King of Rock and Roll. A pair of beach flip flops is provided. At least one sandal must be used in the design. It must strongly feature the Element of Line — the vital visual path that directs the eye movement through a composition. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design
- “Crying in the Chapel” – Design an expressive sympathy tribute suitable for an Elvis impersonator. The casket will be open for viewing. It must strongly feature the Element of Texture — the surface quality of a material, as perceived by sight or touch. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design
- “Hawaiian Wedding Song” – Construct a beautiful wedding bouquet with a cascading feature suitable for a starstruck Elvis fan. It must feature the Principle of Rhythm — visual movement through a design, usually achieved through repetition or gradation. The AIFD Guide to Floral Design
The top three scores in each design category received First, Second and Third Place recognition:
“Blue Suede Shoes” Wearable Florals
FIRST PLACE: Derek Woodruff, AIFD, PFCI, CF, owner of Floral Underground in Traverse City, Michigan
SECOND PLACE: Paul Latham, AIFD, the creative/director and co-owner of Fleur de Lis Events & Design in Louisville, Kentucky
THIRD PLACE: BJ Dyer, AAF, AIFD, CPF, owner of BOUQUETS in Denver, Colorado
“Crying in the Chapel” Sympathy Tribute
FIRST PLACE: Tricia Upshaw, AIFD, AMF, of Shirley’s Flower Studio Inc., in Rogers, Arkansas and sponsored by the Mid America Design Competition
SECOND PLACE: Sandy Schroeck, AIFD, PFCI, freelance designer, floral educator and product consultant of Trend on Design in Eden Prairie, Minnesota
THIRD PLACE (Tie):
Paul Latham, AIFD, the creative/director and co-owner of Fleur de Lis Events & Design in Louisville, Kentucky
Derek Woodruff, AIFD, PFCI, CF, owner of Floral Underground in Traverse City, Michigan
“Hawaiian Wedding Song” Bouquet
FIRST PLACE: Derek Woodruff, AIFD, PFCI, CF, owner of Floral Underground in Traverse City, Michigan
SECOND PLACE: Paul Latham, AIFD, the creative/director and co-owner of Fleur de Lis Events & Design in Louisville, Kentucky
THIRD PLACE: Tricia Upshaw, AIFD, AMF, of Shirley’s Flower Studio Inc., in Rogers, Arkansas and sponsored by the Mid America Design Competition
Three AIFD Certified Floral Evaluators/Judges appointed by the PFCI Board of Trustees evaluated the contestants’ designs. The judges scored each design based on nine factors covering design elements, design principles, mechanics and execution and creative application. The highest combined score determined the winner. Judges were: Tom Bowling, AIFD, PFCI, from Syndicate Sales Inc. in Kokomo, Indiana; Tim Farrell, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, from Farrell’s Florist in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania; and Sylvia Cup 2013 Grand Prize Winner Joyce Mason Monheim, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, AzMF, from Designer Destination in Tucson, Arizona.
Derek Woodruff, AIFD, PFCI, CF, owner of Floral Underground in Traverse City, Michigan, won the grand prize. He also placed first in “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Hawaiian Wedding Song,” and third in “Crying in the Chapel.”
Paul Latham, AIFD, the creative/director and co-owner of Fleur de Lis Events & Design in Louisville, Kentucky, was first runner-up. He also placed second in “Blue Suede Shoes” and ““Hawaiian Wedding Song,” and third in “Crying in the Chapel”
Tricia Upshaw, AIFD, AMF, of Shirley’s Flower Studio Inc., in Rogers, Arkansas and sponsored by the Mid America Design Competition, was second runner-up. She also placed third in “Hawaiian Wedding Song.”
Sandy Schroeck, AIFD, PFCI, freelance designer, floral educator and product consultant of Trend on Design in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, placed second in “Crying in the Chapel.”
BJ Dyer, AAF, AIFD, CPF, owner of BOUQUETS in Denver, Colorado, placed third in “Blue Suede Shoes.”
Save the date: The next Sylvia Cup Design Competition takes place on Sept. 9 during SAF Palm Beach 2017, SAF’s 133rd Annual Convention, Sept. 6-9, 2017, at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida.
Sylvia Cup photos are posted on Flickr.com/SocietyofAmericanFlorists.