We can take your reservation in-person at Rockford Art Museum (711 N Main Street), over the phone at (815) 968-2787 or you can mail a check (payable to Rockford Art Museum) with a list of attendees and your contact information.
October 16, 2026
11:00 am
Rockford Art Museum, 711 N Main Street, Rockford, IL, 61103, USA
SAVE THE DATE! Friday, October 16th
Doors open at 11 AM, presentation and lunch at noon
Rockford Art Museum | 711 N Main St. Rockford
Join us for this year’s annual luncheon presented by Women’s Art Board benefiting educational programming at Rockford Art Museum. The event will be held Friday, October 16th, in the galleries at Rockford Art Museum (711 N Main St., Rockford). Doors open at 11 AM for a silent auction and social hour, and the luncheon will begin at noon.
Our 2026 speaker is Laura Dowling, an award-winning florist and designer. From 2009 to 2015, Dowling served as Chief Floral Designer for the White House where she managed the floral design for thousands of private and official White House parties, receptions, and state dinners as well as large-scale installations for holidays including the iconic White House Christmas. Dowling is known for her contemporary and romantic style of flower arranging that is rooted in classic French design. She is the recipient of the American Horticultural Society’s “Great American Gardener Award” for achievements and contributions in floristry and is a featured speaker at leading flower shows, museums and cultural institutions across the country. In 2016, she received the “Distinguished Flower Ambassador” award from the Royal Horticultural Society of Belgium at a ceremony honouring international floral diplomacy in Ghent, Belgium. A native of Chehalis, Washington, Laura received her B.A. degree in political science and Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Washington in Seattle. Laura was inspired to change careers (from strategic communications to flowers) after travelling to Paris and becoming intrigued with French flower design. She studied French floral art under the direction of leading Parisian designers and operated a small studio out of her basement kitchen. From this position, Laura competed in the nation-wide search for White House Chief Floral Designer and won, proof that identifying and following a passion can lead to extraordinary things. By expanding her floral design and consulting platform to include writing books and teaching, Laura’s goal is to continue to share a unique vision for creative floristry in the garden style and to inspire others with her story.
This annual luncheon continues to be an educational, entertaining event. Presented by Women’s Art Board, ticket proceeds help the group support RAM education programs throughout the year. Reservations required.
We can take your reservation in-person at Rockford Art Museum (711 N Main Street), over the phone at (815) 968-2787 or you can mail a check (payable to Rockford Art Museum) with a list of attendees and your contact information.
Stay tuned!
<p>If you have a group that you'd like to sit with simply include their names on your registration form and we'll do our best to seat you together. Tables can accommodate up to 10.</p>