A few months ago, we were approached with the opportunity to participate in the PDX Bloom Tour. We didn't have to think twice before saying yes! Its no secret that Downtown Portland has seen its ups and downs over the past few years, and we saw this as an opportunity to be a part of something unambiguously positive in the downtown community. Read on to learn more about the Bloom Tour, our inspiration, process and some behind the scenes photos. We hope to see you on the tour!
2023 is the first annual Bloom Tour. Part walking tour and part art show with a focus on supporting some of Portland’s unique shops, restaurants and hotels, the tour runs until June 30. The Bloom Tour showcases the work of talented artists and florists who have designed and created eye-catching art pieces that can be viewed rain or shine. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this is a can’t-miss opportunity to explore the city, capture some truly amazing photos and show your support for the Downtown and Old Town communities.
A project of this size requires careful planning, purposeful inspiration, some trial and error, diligence and execution. Here are some behind-the-scenes images from that process.
Our Artists Statement:
Gifford’s Flowers is a fourth-generation full-service florist in the same family since 1938. We’re proud to offer a range of services that cater to all occasions, from walk-in sales to large events. We’re both thrilled and honored to be a part of the Bloom Tour and look forward to sharing our passion for floral art with the whole community. We are presenting our floral arch featuring a stunning array of natural and artificial flowers and botanicals. Our installation includes a mix of silks, succulents, local moss, branches and disco balls carefully selected and arranged to create a cohesive and visually stunning arch composition. Our vision was to create something bright, soft, and whimsical that celebrates the natural world and invites viewers to take a moment to connect with beauty amid the urbanization of downtown. We’ve used an arch to represent the strength and resilience of Portland, and chose the mix of florals to represent our commitment to creating beautiful and memorable experiences for all. By participating in the Bloom Tour we aim to inspire a sense of wonder and help foster community and connection among the tour’s visitors, and to anyone else who might happen across it.
The Bloom Tour is attracting plenty of visitors. Every day we see people stopping by to snap selfies and group photos with our arch. We're especially pleased with how many people have taken time to stop in and say how much they enjoyed the tour and our creation. We hope you have time to stop by and see it for yourself before June 30th.