Detroit botanical artist Lisa Waud is nearing the culmination of her latest endeavor, “Portrait,” an engaging flower installation housed on the ground level of Detroit’s historic Boyer Campbell factory at 6532 Saint Antoine, nestled in the vibrant Milwaukee Junction neighborhood.
“Portrait” is not merely an art display but an interactive experience crafted to evoke feelings of playfulness and delight. Guests are encouraged to immerse themselves beneath towering floral crowns, designed meticulously by Waud over the past weeks, inviting them to capture moments through photographs and selfies.
Open to the public for a limited span of two days, the installation welcomes visitors on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. Admission is priced at $20 per person, with complimentary access granted to children under 10, obtainable through Waud’s official website.
In explaining the broader artistic narrative behind “Portrait,” Waud reflects on its essence as a celebration of “individuality and the democratization of royalty.”
This initiative marks the culmination of Waud’s residency at the Boyer Campbell factory, following two previous projects. “Petrichor” offered a sensory journey by recreating the aroma of rain meeting soil and the sensation of verdant grass reclaiming the expansive 16,000 square foot interior ground floor of the factory. Meanwhile, “Memory Forest” envisioned a future bereft of wooded landscapes, reimagined from memory using recycled materials.
Waud’s Detroit residency continues to build on her acclaimed 2015 installation “Flower House,” which garnered international attention for transforming an abandoned Detroit home into a floral spectacle.
Beyond Detroit, Waud’s artistic ventures have extended to Port Austin in 2021 with “Party Store,” a transformative botanical installation within a former party store, showcasing locally sourced fresh-cut flowers that adorned every available surface.
As “Portrait” draws to a close, Waud’s creative journey remains a testament to her unique vision and commitment to infusing spaces with art that captivates and inspires.
