This year's All Children's Hospital Foundation's William Belcher award ceremony on October 28 was designed to be a calming, Zen-like escape for attendees. Held at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park, Rosalind Ryan of Showorks focused on the four classical elements-earth, air, fire, and water-when creating the event for the pediatric hospital's annual society banquet.
Every aspect of the design employed one of the four elements. From the St. Petersburg tea martinis-made with soothing white tea, Ketel One vodka, and soda water, and garnished with a strawberry and lime-to the use of botanicals and water in all of the floral arrangements, Ryan set out to create a complete Zen oasis.
For each of the four different centerpiece designs, glass cylinders were filled with botanicals, greenery, and even potting soil to represent the presence of the earth, while candles played into the element of fire. Various other arrangements showcased pink orchids, wheatgrass, and a collection of pebbles and small rocks. Large cherry blossom branches were suspended above each table, with three candleholders dangling from satin ribbons.
Each year the William Belcher award is given to the patron who best represents the spirit and philosophy that Belcher, former chairman of the hospital's board of directors, embraced.
