They are almost indescribable, the exhilarating feelings that accompany the preparation for a very special celebration taking shape within the team getting ready for 2020, the Centennial founding of The American Iris Society. We hope that you will join us not only in the celebration itself but also in every step we take to get ready for the Anniversary. Please join us as a volunteer, as a contributor of ideas, or simply by sharing all of our communications regarding the festivities with your friends and family.
It is with great pleasure that we start communicating with you by announcing the winner of the 2020 AIS Centennial Logo Contest. You will be seeing the winning logo (above) from now on in all of our communications regarding the AIS Centennial, be it online or via printed material. It was chosen unanimously by all committee members, and we particularly enjoyed it because it contains all the many types of irises we all enjoy.
We also want all of those who entered the Logo Contest to know how grateful we are, and how much we appreciate them. The AIS 2020 Centennial Committee members who chose the winner felt thrilled to have viewed the different ways all of you expressed your creativity and love for irises.
And, the winner is Lori Galletti!
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| A bit camera shy Lori Galletti |
Since there's nothing better than letting the person introduce themselves, well, here it is, in her own words:
I currently live in , PA and I belong to The American Iris Society, HIPS, Delaware Valley Iris Society, and I have irises on the brain. For the last 4 years I have slept, dreamt and daydreamed irises.
I moved from Long Island, NY to Wyomissing, PA approximately 8 years ago. When I bought my home, my mother shared with me her purple irises, which my father gave to her when they bought their first home. Because they were NOID's, I began investigating their origins and during my research I came across Bertrand Farr. I found that the home I am living in, and the entire surrounding development, is on the land that was originally Farr Nursery. From that moment on, I have been actively collecting irises and Farr Nursery memorabilia.
In 2013, I purchased a collection of all the remaining artifacts from Farr Nursery and donated it to the New York Botanical Gardens. Included in the donation were Victorian era Dutch Boy and Girl costumes which were used in advertising Tulip Time at the Nursery. Two children would dress in full costume and greet customers as they arrived. It was so romantic and charming, it showed me the world through Mr. Farr's eyes. His spirit lives on in his irises and his enthusiasm can still be felt and is quite infectious.
In February of this year, part of the collection went on exhibit at the Reading Public Museum. The museum generously hosted a Bertrand Farr exhibit, celebrating his 1915 gold medal win for his irises at the Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. Quaker Lady garnered special attention at the PPIE and was Mr. Farr's personal favorite. She is my muse as well. And as an artist, I tend to sketch and photograph her more than any other iris in my garden.
When I first moved to Pennsylvania, I never expected to go on this journey, and I have to say, it has been exhilarating. Having my design chosen for the AIS Centennial Celebration is an incredible honor and a highpoint in my love and obsession with all things iris.
I moved from Long Island, NY to Wyomissing, PA approximately 8 years ago. When I bought my home, my mother shared with me her purple irises, which my father gave to her when they bought their first home. Because they were NOID's, I began investigating their origins and during my research I came across Bertrand Farr. I found that the home I am living in, and the entire surrounding development, is on the land that was originally Farr Nursery. From that moment on, I have been actively collecting irises and Farr Nursery memorabilia.
In 2013, I purchased a collection of all the remaining artifacts from Farr Nursery and donated it to the New York Botanical Gardens. Included in the donation were Victorian era Dutch Boy and Girl costumes which were used in advertising Tulip Time at the Nursery. Two children would dress in full costume and greet customers as they arrived. It was so romantic and charming, it showed me the world through Mr. Farr's eyes. His spirit lives on in his irises and his enthusiasm can still be felt and is quite infectious.
In February of this year, part of the collection went on exhibit at the Reading Public Museum. The museum generously hosted a Bertrand Farr exhibit, celebrating his 1915 gold medal win for his irises at the Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. Quaker Lady garnered special attention at the PPIE and was Mr. Farr's personal favorite. She is my muse as well. And as an artist, I tend to sketch and photograph her more than any other iris in my garden.
When I first moved to Pennsylvania, I never expected to go on this journey, and I have to say, it has been exhilarating. Having my design chosen for the AIS Centennial Celebration is an incredible honor and a highpoint in my love and obsession with all things iris.
Many thanks to Lori Galletti for her wonderful work!
Andi Rivarola
On behalf of the 2020 AIS Centennial Committee
PS: Special Centennial email address: ais2020centennial@gmail.com
