Purpose and Theme:

The competition aims to:

• Showcase local floral artistry talent at The Gardens at HCP
• Encourage sustainable design practices and responsible material use.
• Engage festival visitors through interactive public voting.
• Promote education in floral mechanics and upcycled design methods.

Eligibility:

This Floral Art Installation Competition is open to florists, artists, gardening groups, and volunteer groups.

Participants may work in teams.

All participants must register in advance and submit a proposal for approval prior to installation.

Sustainable Design Requirements:

• All installations must comply with the following:
  No floral foam (unless it’s Agro-Wool)
  Designers are encouraged to use sustainable mechanics, including but not limited to:
  • reusable armatures
  • chicken wire or mesh structures
  • branch frameworks
  • natural binding techniques
  • reusable vessels and supports
• Upcycled or repurposed materials are strongly encouraged.
• Plant materials should preferably be locally sourced and seasonal where possible.

Design Proposals and Approval:

All installations must be planned and approved in advance to ensure safety, sustainability, and spatial harmony within the garden.

The Arts & Music Team will review proposal to ensure:

• Structural safety
• Environmental responsibility
• Suitability for the designated garden space
• Alignment with festival values

Approved participants will receive confirmation of their assigned installation area.

Installation Guidelines:

• Installations must be self-supporting or safely secured without damaging garden structures, trees, or soil systems.
• No electrical components, permanent fixtures, or digging is permitted
• Installations must withstand outdoor weather conditions for the duration of the festival.
• Designers are responsible for maintaining the aesthetic condition of their installation during the event.

Public Voting:
Festival attendees will be invited to participate in public voting to select the winning installation.

Voting criteria communicated to the public will focus on:

• Innovation and originality
• Sustainability of materials and mechanics
• Integration with the garden environment

Voting methods may include printed ballots or on-site voting stations, as well as social media contesting. 

Award:
One installation will receive a Gardens at HCP - Innovative Fresh Floral Garden Art Award.

The winning entry will be determined by the highest number of public votes, and will receive a festival prize and media recognition during and after the event.

Documentation and Promotion

By participating, designers agree that:

• The festival may photograph and film installations for promotional and archival purposes.
• Designers may be credited in festival publications, social media, and media coverage.

Removal

• Installations must remain in place for the full duration of the festival unless safety concerns arise.
• Designers are responsible for removing their installation promptly after the event and ensuring that all materials are disposed of responsibly or reclaimed for reuse.

Code of Conduct & Safety

Participants must:

• Follow all festival safety guidelines.
• Maintain respectful collaboration with other participants and staff.
• Ensure installations are safe for public interaction and viewing.

Arts & Music in the Gardens at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific is dedicated to providing a safe and harassment-free environment for all guests, vendors, competition participants, volunteers, and staff. This means that we will not tolerate harassment or abuse of anyone at the festival in any form. Anyone who fails to comply may be asked to leave by our staff.

The festival reserves the right to modify or remove installations that pose safety risks or violate sustainability guidelines.

By submitting your application, you agree to the above and understand that failure to comply may result in being asked to leave the event and/or being denied space at future events.