Floral exhibit at Art Studio to open with demonstration
BY ANDY COUGHLAN

Scott Hasty, above, amidst flora at his shop in Orange where he maintains a European-style, open market atmosphere. Right and below are two floral designs representing his varied style. Below, Hasty at work. The Art Studio, Inc. will present "The Floral Artistry of Scott Hasty," Jan. 13 at 720 Franklin in Downtown Beaumont. The show opens with a free reception and demonstration from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Floral artist Scott Hasty is on a mission to show Southeast Texans the limitless possibilities of the art of floral design.

The Art Studio, Inc. will present "The Floral Artistry of Scott Hasty,"a unique floral art event and art exhibition in January at its gallery located at 720 Franklin in Downtown Beaumont. The show opens Jan. 13 with a free reception and demonstration from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

"We are excited about Scott having a show at The Studio, especially as he will be doing demonstrations of his art during the opening reception," Greg Busceme, TASI founder, said. "It fits into The Studio's mission to make all forms of art available to the community."

The gallery event will feature floral designs by Hasty and his studio of artists, and will incorporate other forms of art in some of the designs. The designs will incorporate fresh flowers and will be for sale during the show. A percentage of the sales will go toward The Art Studio's Shoestring Campaign fund-raiser.

Design by J. Scott Hasty AIFD

During his demonstration, Hasty will create a piece inspired by a painting.

"My heartbeat is to broaden the gap between professional and unprofessional through education and by presenting my craft and the principles and elements of design," Hasty said.

Hasty said that he is always thinking about design and how to incorporate elements from nature into his work.

"There is always a stack of flower magazines beside my bed," he said. "Just because I leave here at the end of the day, doesn't mean I stop working. I am always thinking about design - always."

"Many times, I get my designs from a simple fence line when I am driving. I see vegetation along the highway and I see the way nature has the principles and elements of design."

Hasty said he could not have imagined in 1977 he would be where he is in his craft now. When he started, "I simply wanted, as a florist, to put flowers in a vase.

Design by J. Scott Hasty AIFD

"It's something in life when your livelihood is your hobby."

The show will be an extension of Hasty's artistic philosophy, to be found at his new European-style shop at 130 Strickland Drive in Orange, next to Baptist Hospital.

"It's an open market atmosphere," he said. "The customers can come in and watch us design and enjoy the process. They can stand right in front of the table and see from start to finish their creation."

"We have a blank palette and we let the flowers be the color." he said.

Hasty opened Scott's Planter in 1977 before selling the shop in 1981 and going to work for Du Pont. He continued to freelance in floral design and when his division closed down in 1993, he returned to his passion and opened J Scotts Aflorist.

In July of this year, Hasty was awarded the floral industry's coveted Accredited in Floral Design designation and was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) during ceremonies in Washington D.C.

AIFD has approximately 1,500 members worldwide and accredited membership is considered as a high honor in the floral industry, spokesperson Thomas Shaner said.

In 2003, Hasty won the Allied Florists "Houston Cup" and followed that with winning the title of 2003 Texas Cup Champion.

The Art Studio, inc. is located at 720 Franklin in downtown Beaumont.

SOURCE:  www.beaumontjournal.com