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Falls Church Arts: ‘Purple Meadow’ Receives People’s Choice Award in All Member Show M-Z

Falls Church Arts: ‘Purple Meadow’ Receives People’s Choice Award in All Member Show M-Z
People's Choice Award-winning pressed floral design by Quynh D. Nguyen. Courtesy FCA.

When Falls Church Arts (FCA) puts on an all-member show, gallery-goers are guaranteed to see world-class artworks in the mix. 

FCA’s most recent People’s Choice Award for Quynh D. Nguyen’s pressed floral artwork “Purple Meadow” in the gallery’s mixed-media All Member M-Z show – ending this Sunday, Aug. 18 – serves as a splendid example of the best-of-the-best on display.

Floral artist Quynh D. Nguyen. Instagram photo.

A specialist in paper flower works, Nguyen’s craft is all about playing with the fine lines of beauty between the natural and the constructed. Her “Purple Meadow” submittal features a soothing array of pressed live florals, but her many paper flower installations look as natural as can be. 

“I love preserving something as short-lived as flowers to make them last forever and to showcase their beauty," she says about her award-winning artwork "Purple Meadow." "Each petal and leaf were carefully pressed and reconstructed to capture their vibrant colors and texture.”

“Purple Meadow” is available at Falls Church Arts for $150.

Nguyen's recent book. Amazon photo.

Nguyen has over 20,000 followers on her Pink and Posey Instagram account where she provides tutorials and vlog posts. And, she recently published a book with Blue Star Press entitled, “The New Art of Paper Flowers: The Complete Guide to Crafting Gorgeous Crepe Paper Flowers.” On Amazon, readers are invited to “delve into the enchanting art of lifelike floral design…. Whether you're a novice looking to discover a gratifying new hobby or a seasoned crafter seeking inspiration, this all-inclusive handbook will equip you to cultivate lush, long-lasting blooms using colorful crepe paper."

Receiving commissions from around the world, Nguyen has also garnered high praises from many major patrons. “I had an opportunity to work with Nordstrom for a photo shoot that involved Gucci floral shoes and Valentino bags,” she says on her website. “I got a chance to play with my paper flowers, to style and make those products shine for a marketing ad. What a fun day that was!”

Caroline Tran of Seattle asked Nguyen to “create a paper floral floating installation,” giving her “free reign to make something magical.” So, she created a hexagonal frame – based on her favorite shape – upon which she “trail[ed] gold leaves and summer blooms…” She knew she wanted the model to “carry a non-traditional floral bouquet, so [she] made an intricate branch for her to carry.”

In a Seattle model shoot, Nguyen was given "free reign to make something magical.” Courtesy Pink and Posey.

At the Anaheim Convention Center, she was commissioned to create a trade booth for the Herb Pharm for the Natural Products Expo West. So she “created thousands of botanical plants and florals,” and “incorporat[ed] pollinators into [the] installation.” Her patron, Sarah Simon, said of her work, “Her art is beautiful; you can feel her love of flowers in every petal she creates.”

Look closely. They're paper. "Can you spy the little bees and butterflies?," Nguyen asks on her website.

The Falls Church Independent has published several stories on Falls Church Arts:

Falls Church Arts: Cultural Hub at the Center of the City
Want to see flourishing and vibrant culture and community in the heart of downtown Falls Church? Well, Falls Church Arts (FCA) – a non-profit visual arts gallery and cultural hub in the center of the city – provides just that from The Kensington Building at 700-B West Broad Street.
Falls Church Arts: New Exhibit Opens July 20; Hamblin Wins Second Straight Top Prize
With its thriving membership, Falls Church Arts (FCA) – the City’s showcase local arts institution at 700-B West Broad St. – scheduled two All Member, “all media” exhibitions this season divided alphabetically: the first for members with last names A-L ended yesterday; and the second for those from M-Z will open Saturday, July 20.
Falls Church Arts: All Member Show Opens June 15
The City of Falls Church’s showcase community arts organization and gallery – Falls Church Arts (FCA) – is celebrating its artists’ best “all media” work during the All Member Show at the Falls Church Arts gallery at 700-B West Broad St., from June 15 to Aug. 18.
Falls Church Arts: Dane Hamblin’s “Dahlia” Wins Juror’s Choice Award in ‘Flora and Fauna’ Show
Highlighting Saturday evening’s opening reception for Falls Church Arts’ new show “Flora and Fauna: Thriving or Threatened” April 20, painter Dane Hamblin

The gallery of Falls Church Arts is at 700-B West Broad St. (Route 7), Falls Church. It’s open Tuesday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

Artworks can also be viewed online at www.fallschurcharts.org. All pieces can be purchased at the gallery or on the website.


By Christopher Jones