7 floral design enthusiasts to compete at Singapore Garden Festival

SINGAPORE - More than 40 floral design enthusiasts showcased their talents and creativity at a new category of the Singapore Garden Festival (SGF) competition today.

The participants of the Table-Top Floral Display Competition, held at VivoCity, were shortlisted from a total of 60 submissions.

They had to transform a simple table setting into an exquisite table setting with fresh flowers, cutlery and decorative accessories within three hours, in line with the theme of this year's SGF, "Celebrations!".

Said Dennis Lim, deputy director for the SGF: "We have noticed a growing interest in floral design, which is why we expanded the Table-Top Floral Display into a competition this year to enable not just professionals, but also talented individuals from the community to showcase their talents to an international audience.

"Through this competition, we hope to encourage more Singaporeans to appreciate how plants and flowers can enhance our living environment."

Seven finalists were chosen to compete at an upcoming premier tropical garden and flower show during the SGF, which will be held at Gardens by the Bay from August 16 to 24.

Each of them will be given a $5,000 production budget to design and implement another table-top floral display.

Wong Thoy Lien, a finalist in the Professional category, said: "I visited the Singapore Garden Festival in 2012 and was very impressed with the table-top floral displays showcased there. So when I learned that it was made into a competition this year, I jumped at the chance to join."

She added: "It was exhilarating creating the table-top arrangement alongside other designers. and their talent and creativity really spurred me to improve my design on the spot."

huizhen@sph.com.sg