Innovative Charlotte Floral Designer to Headline Art in Bloom 2010 Fundraiser
March 18, 2010

STATESVILLE —Iredell Museums will hold it’s annual Art in Bloom spring fundraising event on Thursday, April 1, 2010, from 9:00am until 1:00pm at the Statesville Civic Center, 300 North Center Street, Statesville, NC.

In 1994, the late Amy Steele, a tireless volunteer and passionate advocate of the arts, conceived of an event to raise funds for the former Iredell Museum of Arts and Heritage.  Sixteen years later, the idea has grown into not only the premier fundraising event for the merged Iredell Museums, but also a much-anticipated annual program. In its 16th year, the event is built around a knowledgeable and entertaining guest speaker with expertise in floral design and arrangement, but also includes a gourmet-to-go bake sale and a boutique gift sale, as well as a live auction of flowers arrangements. 

The featured speaker of Art in Bloom 2010 will be Cecil Shearin, co-owner of Elizabeth House Flowers, Charlotte, NC.  Shearin’s floral design career began when he was 16 years old and he gazed into Rose Florist’s in Long Beach, CA.  As he stood outside the shop window he said to himself, “This is what I want to do.”  He walked in and applied for a job and was hired to sweep the floor, process the flowers and do deliveries.  One year later, he became a designer.

After two years at Rose Florist, Shearin moved to Charlotte, NC, and continued his career at Ratcliffe Florist.  He then spent two years at Carolina Florist in Gastonia, NC and then returned to Charlotte to produce designs for the Blossom Shop.  In 1987, Shearin, along with business partner David Wynn, opened Elizabeth House Flowers.  For twenty-three years, Shearin and his design team have been commissioned to provide their services to countless social events, weddings and parties for the most influential residents of Charlotte. 

“We are excited to have such a creative and innovative designer featured at our spring fundraising event.  Every time I have been overly impressed with a floral design, I find out that Cecil Shearin and his staff have created the masterpiece!” says Sherl Reindollar, Board Member, Iredell Museums.

The ticket price of $35 includes admission to the event as well as morning refreshments and a catered lunch. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at Iredell Museums, 134 Court Street, 704-873-4734.

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