Adrienne Nakashima, the South Coast Botanic Garden’s (Garden) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and her staff are constantly striving to create new and exciting ways for visitors from all parts of Los Angeles to experience the Garden. Their latest event, “Music and Flowers” combines the talents of some of the best African American floriculture designers in California with the music from notable native and Los Angeles based musical artists.

Marylynn Mack, Chief Operations Officer, along with Postal Petals founder and CEO, Talia Boone and Abra Lee, from Conquer the Soil, created a day along program that featured an interactive program inviting guest to participate in yoga activities, guided meditation, floral arranging, and experiencing floral arrangements displayed throughout the garden that were integrated with and inspired by musical selections from hip-hop artists and other pop artists.

Mack points out, “Floriculture and the Black community in the United States has a long history. Flowers were a way to economic freedom for many and also was a family business that offered the flexibility which allowed business owners to bring their children to work.”

It was the Black flower vendors in Charleston, South Carolina that brought attention to floriculture. They have been immortalized in photographs by National Geographic as well as post cards. During the reconstruction era in Washington D.C., Black women grew flowers on their own land and sold them on various streets across the District of Columbia.

As for California’s floriculture, Mack explains, “Black vendors have existed in California for well over a century in places like Sacramento. The first Black florist arrived in Los Angeles in the early 1900’s and established a shop on South Central Avenue.”

According to Talia Boone, “This event is a celebration of the very best of LA culture through the lens of music and flowers. During the day, guests were treated to floral wellness experiences, then get them excited about the evening event as they watch artists in real time build floral installations that served as the centerpiece for the night. Both the day and evening offerings include interactive elements, but the live music and entertainment are really the heartbeat of the evening event.”

Mack shares, “The artists for the evening event were specially selected to participate in the evening event because they have distinguished themselves through their creative arrangements. Each were given an album produced by a particular artist and asked to create their design based on that selection. Artists featured during the evening included Nipsey Hussle, Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, and the Red-Hot Chili Peppers.”

In preparation for the evening, Garden volunteers worked alongside the floral artists as they transformed their designs into reality using a selection of flowers, plants, and other props. Mack exclaims, “Our volunteers were anxious to have the opportunity and truly enjoyed the experience.”

When the green carpet was rolled out for the evening by floral designer Nai Black, of Xquisite Floral Designs and Events in the Riverside. She unveiled her creation entitled “It’s a vibe! PERIODT.” Black states, “Rap music and Los Angeles have a long and complicated history. The city has also been a major influence on the sound of rap music, with its palm-tree lined streets and sunny weather providing a unique backdrop for the genre. And while Los Angeles may not be the birthplace of rap music, it is certainly one of the most important homes.”

Ashley Robinson from Oakland’s 12amsunshine created, “Hittin’ the Streets Floral Chic.” Using amaranthus, craspedia, lilyturf, and a variety of carnations, Robinson designs feature wearable fashions that draw from the of the Los Angeles culture. Robinson admits, “My floral fashion looks pull their inspiration from your favorite musician style and streetwear around the city.”

Kristen Gordon’s and owner of Kristhetic in Los Angeles, uses milk crates, birds of paradise, and palms that invite visitors to take a seat or browse through the vinyl albums in her living room as visitors reminisce about the early days of LA’s hip hop scene. Gordon also provided flowers and greenery for visitors to fuel their own inspiration as they create their own floral arrangements.

Rose Study of Chino created “Tenacity.” Using roses, orchids, snapdragons, carnations, painted palm leaves and musical instruments, Study transformed one of the one of the Garden’s gazebos into a gigantic floral display inspired by Tupac Shakur’s album, “The Rose that Grew from Concrete.”

Study states, “As a California native, born in LA and raised in Inglewood, I have a love for all things California, especially the California vibe.”

Hailing from Northern California’s Greater Bay Area, K. Jacobs Events owned by Kimberly Jacobs took inspiration from the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Californication” album and created “The Best Coast.” This floral beach bonfire uses turkey feathers, curly willow branches and pampas grass to invite guests to pull up a lounge chair and enjoy the fire. Like many individuals, Jacobs was laid-off during the early stages of the pandemic shutdown. Putting her idle time to use, she began taking floral design classes. Jacobs exclaims, “I fell in love with flowers and the rest is history.”

Amber Mayfield of Los Angeles designed “Westside Over Everything.” Mayfield states, “ This is created in homage to the music she grew up with and concerts I was too young to attend, but wish I could and the culture that feeds my creative spirit.” The arrangement was accomplished by combining galvanized fencing with cement bricks, an audio subwoofer speaker, floral wire, and nina roses, with touches of Montana spray paint.

Amorette Brooms of Queen Boutique in Los Angeles received her inspiration from a cut off of Nipsey Hussle’s 2010 Marathon album, “Higher.” The selection features a 1964 convertible Chevrolet Impala rolling through the palm tree lined streets of Los Angeles. Brooms states that she identifies with Hussle’s message. Although he was an admitted member of the Rollin 60’s Crips, Hussle often participated in recording projects and performances with rappers from rival gangs. Hussle hoped that the example would fuel positive change among the gang members in his community. In addition to his music, Hussle funded several community improvement projects at the neighborhood schools. Among the other community projects, Hussle created Vector 90, a workspace that provides the opportunity for individuals, including gang members, to enter an environment where they learn to incorporate technology and work cooperatively with other likeminded individuals to create locally based businesses that promotes positive changes in their own lives as well as in their community.

Broom states that ’64 Chevy Impala is an iconic symbol of LA’s West Coast Hip Hop culture. To complete the LA vibe Broom states that it all started with the palm trees. Under the watchful eye of the car’s owner, Broom placed several small palm trees in the car as a foundation for her creation. From there, she incorporated bougainvillea branches and other orange and yellow flowers across the front and back seats that draped onto the trunk of the car. Broom says, “The flowers were specially chosen to create the sense of an LA sunset.”

As the final touch to the day’s events, the Garden featured Black-owned food and beverage purveyors, which included 1010 Wine and Events from Inglewood featuring a selection of California wines from black-owned wineries and food trucks by the Vurger Guyz and Savage Tacos.

Nakashima and Mack were pleased with positive responses from participants and attendees. Mack points to the number of first-time visitors and members that attended the events throughout the day. The Garden is currently contemplating hosting other similar events in the not-too-distant future.

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Steve Tabor Bio

This South Bay native’s photographic journey began after receiving his first 35 mm film camera upon earning his Bachelor of Arts degree. Steve began with photographing coastal landscapes and marine life. As a classroom teacher he used photography to share the world and his experiences with his students. Steve has expanded his photographic talents to include portraits and group photography, special event photography as well as live performance and athletics. Steve serves as a volunteer ranger for the Catalina Island Conservancy and uses this opportunity to document the flora and fauna of the island’s interior as well as photograph special events and activities.

Watch for Steve Tabor Images on the worldwide web.