Fiction & Florals

Join us for Fiction & Florals, an interactive workshop bringing together the art of floral arrangement and literature. This summer, learn to create a flower bouquet inspired by N.K. Jemisin’s urban fantasy novel, The City We Became.

Guided by florist Ivy Paniagua, we will explore the book’s main characters, each representing the different boroughs of our city, and learn how to express them in floral composition. Just as the novel explores how the six souls of New York come together despite their differences, you will learn how the various colors, textures and personalities of flowers work together in the story of a floral arrangement.

This workshop is open to all—whether you are an NK Jemisin fan, or simply looking for a fun creative experience, join us!

What to Expect
Hands-On Instruction: Learn the basics of floral arrangement, composition, and design.
Literary Discussion: Dive into excerpts and engage in guided reflection around themes of the complexity of motherhood and the social pressures women often face.
Floral Storytelling: Learn how different flowers can tell different stories-- just like this book explores how one choice can create various life paths.
Creative Design: Create a beautiful, expressive floral arrangement reflecting the book’s themes and imagery.
Designed for readers and non-readers alike, this workshop is a chance to engage with literature in a whole new way. Join us and get creative!

A few things to know about the program:

All materials are provided.
Participants will leave with their floral arrangements.
No prior reading required! All are welcome, whether you’ve read the book or you’re just curious.
Short excerpts and facilitator prompts will guide the discussion.
Copies of the book will be available for checkout!
Registration is required as spots are limited.