Alongside her contributions to the “Art of Flowers” exhibit, local artist and designer Joy Matthews has been greatly involved in several of the Antiques, Fine Arts, and Design Week’s other events.

TIFTON — The latest event from the Tifton Council for the Arts encourages patrons to celebrate the finer things in life.

The local arts organization is in the process of hosting the second Antiques, Fine Arts, and Design Week, a nine-day event dedicated to highlighting and appreciating the beauty and artistry of works new and old alike, that began last Wednesday, May 15.

Kicking off the celebration, as well as serving as a guiding compass for the overall theme, was the Syd Blackmarr Arts Center’s opening of the “Art of Flowers” exhibit, a collection of works in mediums from watercolor and oils to textiles celebrating the beauty of flowers.

Syd patrons got to enjoy a “soft” opening of the exhibit May 16, alongside the week’s “Flicks and a Fiddle” event.

Filmmaker Joseph Talerico, known for his old-school approach to movies through his use of an antique Motiograph projector, presented a pair of silent films to guests of the Syd, with South Georgia musician Kelby Clark providing musical accompaniment for the movies and local artist Joy Matthews painting the mood of the evening to Clark’s tune.

The official opening reception of “The Art of Flowers,” however, was scheduled May 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Alongside the normal festivities, arts council executive director Bruce Green is expected to hold a demonstration on floral arrangement.

Events for the arts council’s celebration will continue throughout the week, beginning with a floral design class 6 p.m. May 21 at the Conger Gas Teaching Kitchen. Green and Matthews will instruct students on the proper methods of floral design and arrangement. Students will have the opportunity to make their own custom hand bouquets and take them home from the class.

Brooke Sanders of Groco Nursery will give a presentation beginning at 6 p.m. May 22 on landscape design, followed by a seminar from Green on creating “rooms” in a garden to bring more attention to the space.

Green will then speak once more at the Syd at 6 p.m. May 23 on floral design and arrangement, as a means of offering those unable to attend the class with Matthews the opportunity to catch up, and the week’s events will finish May 24 with an interactive presentation from Eloise Styer on antique chair caning, to be held at 3rd & Main Antiques starting at 1 p.m.

“The Art of Flowers” exhibit is free and open to the public, but all other events will require a ticket to enter, which must be purchased on the Tifton Council for the Arts website for $20. However, one ticket will allow entry into all of the week’s events.

For more information on Antiques, Fine Arts, and Design Week or any of the events related to it, visit the Tifton Council for the Arts website at tiftonarts.org or contact (229)382-3600.