31. Library Bookcases
Hillwood Museum
Ami Wilber
2026 installation
First Floor - Library
The Inspiration
These built-in oak bookcases hold volumes from the Andersons’ extensive collection of books, including classical and contemporary literature as well as nonfiction works on history, politics, art, and travel.
The Flowers
Recipe: Allium, fritillary, orchids, hellebores, roses, hyacinths, wooden book made by Kevin Beamer
Florist’s inspiration: My floral installation is inspired by the books in the Anderson Library and harken back to the books I read in childhood—stories filled with wondrous places. Those early narratives shaped my perspective on nature, where gardens felt magical, and every detail held meaning. I translate that sense of discovery into my arrangement, using color, texture, and movement to evoke nostalgia and storytelling. Flowers become characters within each composition, expressing innocence, growth, and transformation. Through my work, I aim to recreate the feeling of opening a favorite childhood book—inviting others to step into a moment of beauty, memory, and possibility. The gate through which the viewer gazes upon the arrangement is derived from the Andersons’ bookplate, bearing the eagle of the Society of the Cincinnati, their names, and their diplomatic honors.
THE DESIGNER
Ami Wilber
Hillwood Museum
Ami Wilber has cultivated a love for nature by creating beauty from it—spending much of her childhood picking flowers from the meadow behind her house to create bouquets for her mom. She graduated from Miami University with a degree in Fine Arts and went on to receive her MFA in sculpture from Rochester Institute of Technology, School for American Crafts.
She has been with Hillwood Museum since 2016.
As Hillwood’s Floral and Event Décor Designer, she blends her knowledge of art and floristry to create living sculptures, trying to capture the whims of nature in a composed setting.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY
Zoe Shields Photography
Zoe Shields the founder and creative director of a multi-disciplinary studio that brings concept-driven visual identities to life across digital and material mediums.
She began her career in New York, assisting on shoots for W Magazine and photographing backstage at Spring Studios during New York Fashion Week. Since, she has consulted global consumer brands on digital strategy and experiential design, helping them craft meaningful experiences for today's audiences. She holds a BFA in Photo and Imaging from NYU and a master's degree from Vanderbilt.
