OKLAHOMA SUGAR ARTISTS

WILL PRESENT

THE OKLAHOMA STATE SUGAR ART SHOW & THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS 2008

Nature provides us with endless inspiration. Competitors will have a rewarding time researching the language of flowers. From birth until death, flowers have been intimately connected with man in a myriad of ways. Newborn babies are welcomed with flowers, brides are wreathed in flowers, and at life’s end we are respected with floral tributes. Most flowers have special meaning; some well known and others obscure. The Victorians were accustomed to using flowers as romantic symbols when expressing their feelings. Flowers tell tales in perfumed words. Look, for example at the rose; each variety and color reveals a different message, while the delicate iris represents faith, hope, wisdom and valor. Even foliage has its place: ivy for fidelity and friendship, lemon balm brings love, while the juniper promises protection. Some are even carnivores! The flowers used on the wedding cake must communicate a real message to the judge and viewer. The theme can also be inspired from, but are not limited to, sources other than the Victorians: gardens, parks, poetry, musical scores, ikebana, clothing, conservatories, or national flowers.

Dressing the bridal table is just like coordinating a wardrobe; all of the complementary elements must be there. The contestant’s chosen theme must be echoed in the table design.

Entrants who don't care to fuss with all the individual table ornamentation may enter the Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show, the companion event that focuses on the skill of the decorator without added to-do.

Little or no table decoration is required and contestants may compete against their peers in experience-appropriate divisions with nine different categories from which to choose.

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS 2008

This Grand National event, the only one of its kind in the United States, attracts food service professionals as well as the bridal market: a huge source of inspiration meant to push the envelope, educate and inspire.

Another applause generator has been the recently introduced live competition which has added a new element of interest. For the third year, contestants have created “one-off” concepts; in 2007, we saw amazing five-tiered bridal towers created from Chocopan and Rice Krispies® Treats using Bakery Craft cupcake stands. Paul Edwards gave entertaining commentary describing competitor progress, much to the delight of the thousand-strong audience stacked high in the bleachers.

This annual production is intended to promote the world of sugar craft.  

BRIDES MAGAZINE AND FOOD NETWORK NEWS

For more entertainment throughout the year, don’t forget to watch Food Network programming to see our award-winning artists featured on past and future Challenges and the Sugar Art Show.

And there’s even more magic: Maria McBride, wedding style editor for Bride’s magazine, attended the recent exhibition as she was on the lookout for new talent. Maria chose several artists’ designs for inclusion in magazine layouts in 2008. Bride’s has an annual circulation in excess of two million, so this is indeed fortuitous for those involved. Once having appeared in a spread such as this, the positive impact on the participant’s business is incalculable.

Food Network TV has aired countless one-hour broadcasts of this competition during the past four years. Coupled with proven print coverage, we have reached millions of people. The exhibition attracts a local audience of more than 80,000 visitors each year.

There is more good news. The Tulsa World newspaper ran a special supplement celebrating the Oklahoma State Centennial, which has just concluded this past November. The citizens of Oklahoma were asked to participate in a statewide opinion survey for their favorite foods, cookbook authors and food events, one to apply for each of the past 100 years. The Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show was voted # 20 in a list of 100 state icons for the century!

The 2008 special event, sponsored annually by Eileen Walker, will be entitled BIRDS & NESTS. The showpiece can include flowers, foliage, nuts and berries to complement the natural setting of the nesting birds.

At the moment, a decision is in the process of being made as to the theme of the live competition; the baking competition will focus on decorated chocolate truffles.

The price of admission to this icon event at $8 is minimal – all visitors can access the show, the exhibition and world-class demonstrations for this tiny cost. Each year the bar is raised with contestants producing outstanding and innovative work.