DETROIT, MI.- Gifted, talented, skillful and engaging. These are words that have been used to describe Chris Giftos, New York florist extraordinaire. The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) will host Giftos for a lecture and floral arrangement demonstration on Wednesday, April 29 at 11 a.m., with a luncheon to follow. The event is the 10th Annual Elizabeth Sites Kuhlman Lecture sponsored by the DIA auxiliary Friends of Art and Flowers.

Giftos retired as director of Special Events and Chief Floral Designer at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art after 33 years of creating floral arrangements for special events at the prestigious museum. During his career as a master floral artist, he created arrangements for princes, movie stars and famous philanthropists. He designed Elizabeth Taylor’s bridal bouquet for her 1964 wedding to Richard Burton, and was the floral arranger for dinner parties hosted by Jackie Onassis. Giftos has also appeared on the Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey television shows, and has traveled the world giving lectures on floral arrangements.