Friday, June 13 from 12-7 pm
Transcending Barriers, Blooming with Pride
Immerse yourself in the vibrant colors of nature at Blooming with Pride, a family-friendly event that invites the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to unite and celebrate the rich beauty and diversity of the natural world. Witness a living art display as the Garden comes alive with vibrant plant art installations created by florists, horticulturists, and artists placed throughout the Garden. Each creation showcases that, like plants, love thrives in all shades and forms.
Plants Are For Everyone!
All-Day Events
Pride Garden Showcase (All Day):
Witness a living art display as Red Butte Garden comes alive with vibrant blooms and plant arrangements. Each exhibit represents the rich experiences and journeys within the LGBTQIA+ community, showcasing that, like plants, love thrives in all shades and forms.
Family Activities (All Day):
Engage in exciting activities for all ages, from craft projects and on-the-go science experiments to exploration stops and interactive games. Create lasting memories while nurturing a love for nature and promoting the values of acceptance and unity.
Self-Guided Garden Tours (All Day):
Embark on a self-guided tour of Red Butte Garden, highlighting unique plant species in our collection. Learn about how plants promote happy, healthy ecosystems and mirror the beauty of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Share Your #BloomingWithPride Moments!
Follow us on Insta @RedButteGarden or FB @RedButte and share your excitement using the event hashtag.
Join Us & Participate
Join Us
If your organization would like to participate in Blooming with Pride, contact us at jason.alba@redbutte.utah.edu
Share Your #BloomingWithPride Moments!
Follow us on Instagram @RedButteGarden or Facebook @RedButte and share your excitement using the event hashtag.
Getting Here
Directions & Parking
Red Butte Garden Visitor Center and parking lot address:
300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Additional parking is available in Lot 75 near the Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre. Free shuttles to and from the Red Butte Garden Visitor Center will be available during the event.
You can find driving directions to Red Butte Garden HERE
And a more specific parking map HERE
Learn more about Red Butte Garden membership.
The 2025 Blooming with Pride Floral Exhibit Artists to be announced soon!
Revisit the 2024 Floral Exhibit Artists below.
Among the event’s highlights is a showcase of artistic floral and plant displays created by local artists and florists. The seven exhibits to be on display were selected from over 45 proposals submitted by artists nationwide. We thank all the talented artists, florists, and horticulturists for their entries.
Alyssa Cumpton
Exhibit | "Maybe the Cat Lady Isn't so Crazy"
Alyssa Cumpton is a self-taught artist who happened to get both a Criminal Justice and Fine Arts degrees on her way through college at Boise State. She works as a professional muralist and traveling sidewalk chalk artist and has competed in many events across the West. Alyssa has also worked in the landscaping industry for over a decade, a career that has fostered her love of gardening and plants. Her work is inspired by many trips hiking and exploring the country. She lives down a dirt road in the middle of nowhere with her dog, chickens, and, yes, eight cats.
Bekah Ogan
Exhibit | "Despite everything, it's still you."
We wither, we bloom. The cycles of nature have always felt soothing to me. I’ve been a floral designer for almost 10 years. I take inspiration from the creative world around me. When creating, I incorporate the emotions and visuals I receive from my favorite musicians, artists, and films. I take colors that have certain moods to me and combine with them a flower’s unique quality or sentimental value to evoke the emotion I want to portray. My artistic style is textured and whimsical, and I’m always looking for a way to draw a person in.
One of my favorite events I contribute to yearly is “Art in Bloom” in downtown Ogden, where floral designers create displays inspired by local artists’ contributions. I have competed for several years and have won the People’s Choice Award in 2021, Honors in 2022 for my dried botanical work, and then came in Second Place in 2023 with my interpretation of Big Kid Medicine. I find comfort in flowers; one of the best things about them is how they are with you throughout your entire life–yet they have such a short life span. Every day, I use flowers to inspire and uplift others and myself.
Instagram: @beksblooms
Corey Kimzey
Exhibit | "Queerness Gives Life"
My name is Corey Kimzey. My art journey started by making presents for other people. I was a student majoring in statistics and struggled with some mental health issues, so I started making felt book pages as gifts. Making them brought me joy, and I loved seeing the happiness they brought others. This project led me to explore creative ventures like poetry writing, macrame, wood carving, flower sculptures, and many more. I love exploring all artistic mediums, but I especially love projects involving nature or natural elements. I am genuinely grateful for what art has brought into my life.
I’ve also always been interested in how art and math combine. I especially love exploring how shapes and patterns can be used in creative projects. Even as a child, I always added patterns to my art homework. Math and art often go hand in hand. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I am truly honored to present at Red Butte Garden’s Blooming with Pride Event.
Kat Nix
Exhibit | "Heaven on Earth"
Kat Nix is a floral designer, artist, herbalist, death doula, and the owner of Ritual in Bloom, a floral business that centers rituals and intentionality in floral design. In her business, she explores the relationship between moon cycles, ancestral knowledge, rituals, and the subtle yet powerful wisdom flowers share. Kat has a degree in Urban Ecology and a minor in Multidisciplinary Design from the University of Utah. She also mentors Latinx teens and is the Public Art Program Manager for the Salt Lake City Arts Council. All these experiences have fueled Kat’s love for art, community, and creating immersive installations.
With deep gratitude for the resiliency, love, and guidance of her ancestors and plantcestors, Kat is devoted to continuing to be a student of curanderismo and end-of-life work, exploring the relationship between the medicine and magic that flowers provide as we navigate transitional spaces.
Lya Yang
Exhibit | Embrace
Lya Yang is a visual artist born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, by immigrant parents. They received a BFA from the University of Utah with an emphasis in Painting and Drawing. They have since worked in various visual mediums, including sculpture, installation, and photography.
Mal Strunk
Exhibit | "Deserted Despair to Blooming Pride"
Hi Flower Friend, I’m Mal!
I’m known for my big, bold, bright floral designs. I am a Utah native who loves locally grown and sustainable flowers. There is something magical about creating with what’s blooming and capturing the exact time and place you’re in.
I’ve been creating all my life, but the medium of flowers found me 4 years ago. Flowers were a refuge during my darkest days. Floral design came so naturally to me, and I’ve been in awe, watching my artistry bloom as I find myself again. In the past 4 years, I’ve gone through such a transformation and have even come out to my family and begun to live my most authentic life. Putting myself and my artistry out there is so difficult at times and more rewarding than anything I’ve ever experienced.
Last summer, I won a national competition for Florists’ Review magazine—Best in Bloom. I have designed weddings, events, personalized photoshoots, crowns for newborns, and so much more. This will be my third year designing an 8-foot-tall floral arch in the shape of Utah for Utah Flower Day.
Giving back to my community, especially my LGBTQIA+ family, is incredibly important. Seeing humans of all ages revel in the magic of flowers brings me joy! I am so excited to create my installation for the Blooming with Pride event and celebrate our incredible queer community.
Instagram: @malthecreative
Megan Foote
Exhibit | "Colors of the Spirit"
Megan Foote is a queer, disabled, and autistic artist from West Jordan, Utah. She loves working with various mediums, but some of her favorites are clay and paint. She has also recently worked heavily with digital mediums and enjoys exploring new techniques. Megan loves incorporating symbolism and “easter eggs” into her pieces and often explores themes of sexuality, politics, and identity through her craft. Creating works of art is her personal way of processing her thoughts and feelings and building an understanding of the world around her. This is Megan’s first art installation and her professional artistic debut.
Red Butte Garden Team
Jason Alba, Bryan Anderson, Heidi Anderson, Stacy Anderson, Nick Lloyd, Sara Nejatifar, & Lauren Swidnicki
Exhibit | "True Colors"
Welcome to our display, where we explore what it means to be true to yourself. Meet Leonardo de Poochio, a topiary dog made of brown carex, fearlessly painting his self-portrait while defying society’s rules.
LEONARDO DE POOCHIO: A MIRROR OF COURAGE
Leonardo’s self-portrait is more than just a picture. It reflects how he sees himself, not how others see him. This painting represents the idea that everyone has a hidden, authentic self, waiting to come out. Ideally, we’d all show our true selves without fear. However, society often pressures us to fit in, telling us which parts of our identities are acceptable and what should stay hidden. This creates a struggle between the masks we wear for the world and the true selves we want to reveal.
By painting himself as he sees himself—without hiding anything—Leonardo challenges society’s expectations.
His painting exposes his vulnerabilities and invites judgment from others. He knows not everyone will accept his true self. Still, he draws strength from being true to himself. His unfinished painting symbolizes the ongoing journey of self-discovery and the courage needed to stay true to oneself.
SYMBOLIC FLOWER PALETTE: A RAINBOW OF IDENTITY
Leonardo paints with a palette of symbolic flowers representing the LGBTQIA+ community. Each color and flower has its own meaning:
- Red Roses: Signify love, solidarity, affection, and commitment.
- Orange Gerbera Daisies: Represent creativity, and energy.
- Yellow Snapdragons: Symbolize joy, optimism, and the courage to be authentic despite challenges.
- Green Carnations: Signify growth, harmony, and LGBTQIA+ pride.
- Blue Hydrangeas: Represent tranquility, acceptance, and unity.
- Purple Lavender: Symbolizes identity, pride, resilience, and community support.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND ACCEPTANCE
Embracing your inner self isn’t a solo journey. It’s enriched by the love and acceptance of others, represented by the sunflowers, bamboo, and gladiolus. With their support, we can embrace every part of ourselves.
YOUR AUTHENTIC JOURNEY
As you explore our display, think about your own path to authenticity. Write your thoughts on a card and add them to our community board. If you find a message that resonates with you, take it, and let it guide you on your journey to being true to yourself.
BREAKING FREE FROM CONFORMITY
Let’s challenge norms and create a garden where every flower, no matter its shape or color, is cherished, and every voice, no matter how soft, is heard.