Kirkland Arts Center’s (KAC) upcoming exhibition, Inflorescence, will hav an opening reception from 6-8:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 and is curated by Susan Melrath. It features six other local Washington artists’ work. This multimedia exhibition all stems from a shared floral theme.

The featured exhibition artists include Jean Bradbury, Lisa Conway, Patty Haller, Stephanie Hargrave, Fred Lisaius, Susan Melrath and Liz Tran.

Inflorescence is defined as a group or cluster of flowers growing from a common stem in a characteristic arrangement.

Like the architecture of inflorescence, this exhibition is an arrangement of works growing from a common theme. The selected artists are all inspired by the plant world, but each has his or her own aesthetic. A floral designer arranges the warms, cools, darks, lights, soft and hard edges that make up her bouquet. Similarly, Melrath has selected an arrangement of artists, and the work which makes up this exhibition.

“I hope the exhibition will accomplish three things – showcase artists who work with themes of nature and flora; expand upon the ideas and context of my own work; and create a dialog that connects with a larger community,” Melrath said.

In conjunction with the exhibition, KAC will also be featuring “From Art to Vase”, a hands-on floral workshop for up to 20 participants on Oct. 4, 1-3 p.m. Take inspiration from the pieces featured in Inflorescence and use works of art as the starting point for your own creative floral arrangements. This hands-on workshop will cover the basics of floral arranging, principles and elements of design, color theory and eco-friendly techniques. Led by Debra Prinzing, participants will select a specific work of art that informs their floral palette, structure and scale, proportion and form. A wide array of locally grown botanical elements – flowers, buds, berries, branches, grasses, twigs and vines – will be at your fingertips to work with. Workshop will be followed by a book-signing. Instructor’s requirements: $50 per student design fee to cover materials; each student to bring his/her own vase, cutting tools and gloves. Click here for registration information.

The exhibition runs through Nov. 25 and the KAC Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.