Noticing What Blooms

Designers clockwise from top: Lennard Taylor, Simone’s Rose, Hello Darling, and Maison Corazon. Earrings by This Ilk. Photo: Friendly Pictures

Kicking off with the Preview Party on April 16, the Gallery will host nearly 100 floral interpretations inspired by the artworks on display—each one inviting you to slow down and take a closer look. At ShopWAG, that same spirit carries into pieces you can take home: small, thoughtful objects that extend the Art in Bloom experience beyond the Gallery.

This year, ShopWAG is pleased to bring in work from This Ilk, a Montreal-based jewellery line founded by Tamara Bavdek. Tamara was looking for a hands-on outlet that would inspire her creatively after graduating from Environmental Design. She ended up falling in love with vintage lace and its complexity. “Lace is to textiles what gold is to metal, or diamonds to rocks—it’s one of the most ornate, aesthetically rich fabrics,” she says.

Tamara reimagines the fabric into something more sculptural, experimenting with different shapes and finding inspiration around her. Then, during the pandemic, she started to slow down to “stop and smell the roses.” That attention became a practice, as she began studying the shapes of flowers, mimicking their forms into lace.

There’s something universal about flowers. They’re one of nature’s most beautiful expressions. It makes sense that we’re drawn to them.

This was exactly what Sherri Van Went, Manager of Retail Operations & Partnerships, was looking for as a take-home component to Art in Bloom. Throughout the weekend, you’ll find a Fresh Floral Earring Stand with This Ilk’s earring clips where you can choose your florals from a selection of blooms from Petals West. Inside ShopWAG, more work by This Ilk will be available alongside other floral-inspired pieces. You can shop books, paintings, textiles, and jewellery.

Through her brand, Tamara encourages a slower pace, turning everyday moments like a walk down the street into something exploratory. For her, creativity is grounded in presence. “Being in a creative state is like play or being in a flow state. You’re present, you’re engaged—it’s calming.”

“There’s something positive and renewing about flowers. We need a peace and love movement, and flowers are the perfect symbol.”

With This Ilk’s series of adaptable earring clips, you are invited to look around you and attach your own found elements: fresh blooms, dried leaves, even seashells. Some pieces are meant to last, while others are intentionally ephemeral. “Some jewellery is just for a moment or event,” she says, making those pieces extra special.

Join us at Art in Bloom this April 17-19 at WAG-Qaumajuq and experience these works in full. You can also get the first look at the incredible floral interpretations during the Preview Party on April 16—tickets are on sale now for this joyful celebration when you can meet the floral designers, while enjoying light refreshments with music by Eric St. Godard. And don’t miss Tannis’ Flower Bar and the Petals West Flower Shop where you can take home signature bouquets inspired by our long-standing WAG Associates members.

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