Flowers, coins, hats and lavender tea – the perfect recipe for a charming day out at the Royal Australian Mint.
As part of the inaugural UPSTAGEING Canberra festival, the Mint is opening the doors to a delightful weekend celebration of creativity with Floral Impressions: Coins in Bloom, a new exhibition drawn from the National Collection.
Before the exhibition officially opens, visitors are invited to an exclusive free preview on Friday, 27 March from 10am to 4pm. It’s the perfect excuse to spend a leisurely morning or afternoon surrounded by flowers, art and a good cup of tea.
Start with an early look at Floral Impressions: Coins in Bloom, which takes visitors across continents and through centuries – from the blossom-laden coins of the Bahamas and Japan to the elaborate floral medallions of New Zealand and Australia.
Then wander into the Mint Café for a special afternoon tea complete with a florally decorated cupcake and lavender tea.
The café and foyer will be transformed with vibrant floral displays created by Canberra floristry students, adding colour and fragrance to the day.
Elegant and imaginative millinery by celebrated Canberra milliner Cynthia Bryson will also be on display, turning the Mint foyer into a stylish garden party of flowers and hats.
Floral Impressions: Coins in Bloom officially opens to the public on Saturday 28 March from 10am to 4pm, continuing the floral theme with the student arrangements and Cynthia Bryson’s millinery still on display for visitors to enjoy alongside the exhibition.
The weekend concludes on Sunday 29 March, featuring a special ‘fireside chat’ at 10.30am with Cynthia Bryson in conversation with cultural critic, writer and longtime community arts innovator, Cris Kennedy. The event is free though bookings are required.
Running from 20 to 29 March, UPSTAGEING Canberra features more than 200 performances, exhibitions and workshops across over 50 venues, celebrating creativity and cultural participation for older Australians.
The festival is funded by the ACT Government and delivered by Council on the Ageing ACT, following an initiative of the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing.
Whether you come for the coins, the flowers or the cupcakes, the Royal Australian Mint is serving up a weekend where culture, creativity and lavender tea are all in full bloom.
For further information, visit www.ramint.gov.au