ABOUT

LEAD DESIGNER

The Providence Hospital Foundation is pleased to have Blake Smisson’s landscape creativity and experience in the production of the 25th Anniversary of the Festival of Flowers garden showcase.

Smisson grew up in Fort Valley, Georgia, a central Georgia town known for its peaches, Blue Bird school buses and the American Camellia Society. From a young age, he had an appreciation for nature and an interest in architecture and design. The two interests came together at the University of Georgia where Smisson enrolled in the College of Environmental Design and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture. Prior to graduating, he took an internship in Destin, Florida, where he assisted in the landscape design for the Watercolor community. After completing his internship and graduating in 2002, Smisson moved to Birmingham to begin his career at the design firm of Nimrod Long and Associates. For 11 years, he worked at Nimrod Long on an array of projects ranging from residential gardens to hospitals and major shopping venues both in Birmingham and throughout the southeast. In 2013, Smisson and his family moved to Mobile, his wife’s hometown, where he began work for WAS Design, Inc. Since moving to Mobile, Smisson has continued to grow his portfolio to include campus/community planning, retail and park design, along with residential design. With the help of the creative team at WAS Design, Smisson is excited to bring his vision for the 25^th anniversary Festival of Flowers to life.

HONORARY CHAIR

Ann Smith Bedsole has been a longtime supporter of the Providence Foundation Festival of Flowers since the very early years of the show. The Sybil Smith Foundation, for which she serves as chairman, has lent generous financial assistance that has helped ensure the success of this extraordinary community event.

Ann has spent her life championing causes that improve the quality of life for Mobilians and all Alabamians. She was instrumental in founding the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science in Mobile and, as a State Senator, sponsored the legislation to make the vision a reality.   She has served on numerous non-profit boards focused on social issues, education, and historic preservation.

Ann has received many awards for her unselfish public service. She was named First Lady of Mobile and Mobilian of the Year and was elected to the Alabama Academy of Honor.  She also received the Chamber of Commerce Fred Delchamps Award and the Lillian C. McGowin Outstanding Philanthropist Award.

Ann currently serves as President and Chairman of the Board of the White Smith Land Company, Inc.

Thank you, Ann, for your dedication to the Festival of Flowers and for helping us celebrate twenty-five blooming years!

FEATURED ARTIST

Augusta Wilson was raised in Mobile, Alabama, with a heavy influence of proper etiquette, creativity and design. Wilson received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from the University of Georgia and a Master of Fine Arts in painting from Savannah College of Art and Design-Atlanta. Her extensive education led her to the hills of Cortona, Italy, for a summer. Wilson now resides in Decatur, Georgia, with her husband and two young sons. When she isn’t painting, she enjoys teaching classes at Binders Art Store and in her home studio as well as helping other creatives with their fine art businesses. She is most interested in bridging the gap between paintings that belong in the Museum of Modern Art and paintings that match your sofa. Wilson’s paintings can be found throughout the United States.