learning
cottage garden
together

a thoughtful, garden-inspired, whimsical
cottage garden learning experience

ambrosia

— the vision —

Take part in creating the e t h e r e a l by learning to design in the thoughtful, garden-inspired, whimsical Cottage Garden Florals signature style over the course of two days in the beautifully serene Hudson Valley of New York State.

Now, you might be asking, “Why New York?”

It can be boiled down to one simple thought: likeminded individuals find their ways together, somehow, somewhere. Enter: Alicia King — New-York native and extraordinary photographer who went out on a limb after connecting with Abigail on Instagram about how flowers interact with photography and invited her out to teach a workshop in her sunny, walled-by-windows studio. She envisioned thoughtful, garden-inspired, whimsical flowers coloring her space to photograph and has graciously entrusted Cottage Garden students to bring it life.

Topics to be covered:
+ loose and romantic hand-tied bouquets that feature gorgeous colors, shape, and depth
+ eye-catching centerpieces in handcrafted ceramic vessels that are chock-full of detail, texture, and intentionality
+ how to create balanced and interesting recipes with seasonal products from local farms or growers
+ how to work with color
+ incorporating intentional design principles that will elevate your work, and…
+ on Day Two, students will be given the opportunity to work alongside Abigail’s good friend and colleague, the Netherlands’ based floral artist and educator, Anne van Midden. Together with Anne’s guidance, students will learn to create a foam-free, artistic, non-traditional, and ethically-sourced large-scale installation with Anne’s insight into designing with vulnerability and intuition as well as her tried-and-true techniques.

Sourcing locally as much as possible has become a staple to the Cottage Garden learning experience, so flowers, food, and goodies will be brought in to highlight the wealth that Spring brings to the Hudson Valley.

— the artists —

— the space —

Alicia’s studio is in a historic building originally known as The Bleachery built in 1830 on the Wappingers Falls-Poughkeepsie city lines. After the Historic Society was gifted the funds to work on and re-inhabit the building, this charming space is now home to many local businesses and studios.

Abigail’s inspiration for the theme and title for the workshop came from envisioning late-afternoon light streaming in through the big, picturesque windows, filtering through delicate flower petals, gauzy fabrics, and sparkling glassware. Paired with Alicia’s bright and natural style, the scene felt ethereal, dreamy, otherworldly, romantic… Ambrosia.

— the details —

date: May 23 - 24, 2023
what’s included with each ticket:
+ all teachings and individual feedback for each design
+ any and all printed materials to assist teachings
+ all materials needed to create designs, including locally-grown flowers, locally-sourced hard goods, and miscellaneous tools/supplies
+ welcome meal Day One, breakfast treats Day Two, and dinner Day Two
+ curated goodie bag including local favorites from San Diego, Hudson Valley, and the Netherlands
+ full photographed gallery, including personal head shots with designs, photographs of designs with a model as well as styled areas, candids, and group shots with instructors and students
ideal for: floral designers looking to deepen their understanding of their craft and elevate their designs with intentionality, whimsy, and thoughtfulness

Please note: accommodations not included in ticket price and will be student’s responsibility to secure. After ticket purchase, a welcome note including information on recommended places to stay in the area, studio address, what to bring, and timeline will be provided.

Learning how to design thoughtful, garden-inspired, whimsical designs with Abigail and Anne will take you to the cottage garden of your dreams. After receiving encouraging and intentional design guidance, you can be sure you will find yourself often there, gathering inspiration for your next creation.

We look forward to experiencing Ambrosia with you this Spring.