Viola Flower School in Santa Monica
Where creativity, beauty, and floral artistry come to life.
Floral Design Education in Full Bloom
Viola Flower School is a premier flower school in Santa Monica, CA, where creativity, wellness, and floral artistry come together. We believe flowers have the power to spark joy, foster connection, and create moments of calm and inspiration.
Viola Flower School is our newest evolution - a space where floral artistry meets mindful learning and intentional practice. Designed for budding florists, curious creatives, and anyone craving beauty and stillness in their day, our workshops and immersive courses invite you to slow down, create with purpose, and reconnect through flowers.
Our Santa Monica studio is both a working flower shop and a hands-on learning lab. You’ll design with premier blooms, master foundational and advanced techniques, and gain insight into the inner workings of a floral business. With passionate educators and practicing designers at the helm of our curriculum, Viola Flower School is the most comprehensive floral design program available. From weeklong professional masterclasses to foundational and advanced workshops, each course is thoughtfully crafted to build confidence, awaken creativity, and deepen your relationship with floral design.
Viola Flower School is the educational heart of Viola Floral—an inspired space where flowers become a medium for learning, connection, and personal growth. As a leading floral design school in Santa Monica, we invite students of all experience levels to explore floral design in a supportive, art-forward environment.
Our Flower School Offerings
Floral Workshops
Hands-on floral workshops designed for creative exploration, seasonal inspiration, and joyful learning. Each session offers guided instruction with premium blooms in an intimate, welcoming studio setting – all while drawing focus on the mental health and wellness benefits of flowers. Perfect for solo creatives, date nights, friend-dates, or team outings. All experience levels are welcome, and private bookings are available.
Bloom Academy
An immersive, multi-session professional masterclass designed for those seeking a deeper understanding of floral design and the business behind it. Through structured coursework, mentorship, and real-world practice, participants develop technical mastery while refining their personal design style. This program is ideal for those who want to design confidently and/or explore a professional path in floristry.
Salon Events
Thoughtfully curated gatherings that blend flowers, art, conversation, and community. Each Salon Event is a one-of-a-kind experience, featuring special guests, live demos, and intimate conversations that leave you inspired. Our events bring together creatives, designers, and flower lovers for inspired dialogue, meaningful connection, and shared moments of wellness and beauty.
Upcoming Flower Workshops in Santa Monica
Book a Private Workshop
Coming Soon!
Bloom Academy
Bloom Academy is Viola Floral’s signature professional masterclass – a premier educational program that transforms curious creatives into confident floral designers.
This comprehensive design program is ideal for those who want to confidently design for their own events or explore a professional path in floristry, while understanding the business behind it.
Grounded in artistry, technique, and emotional expression, Bloom Academy blends the structure of a traditional education program with the inspiration and hands-on experience of a working floral studio.
Bloom Academy is created to give people something that has been missing in floral education: a place where creativity, craftsmanship, and personal growth intersect with real-world practice. Each weeklong masterclass culminates in an earned design certificate from Viola Flower School.
Why Learn Floral Design at Viola Flower School
Boost Mental Health
Flowers improve mental health - they lower anxiety, improve stress and promote mindfulness.
Design Mastery
Master the art of flower arranging by learning how to design with confidence.
creative exploration
Stimulate your senses and tap into your creative potential through tactile, hands-on design.
Bonding Experiences
A meaningful way to celebrate life’s moments together, bond with like-minded creatives, and make new friends.
Petal It Forward
A percentage of your purchase goes to support local cancer and mental health/wellness non-profit organizations.
Meet Your Instructors
Jelena Trifunovic, M.Ed., Viola Floral Founder
Jelena is an entrepreneur, former science educator/professor and mother of three. Jelena’s passion for floral design is centered around the special bond she shared with her late mom, Luby, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2016.
Jelena delights and inspires audiences with her flower arranging workshops — talking about the abundant mental health and wellness benefits of flowers, tips and tricks of how to arrange like a pro, and how flowers remind us to live in full bloom.
Jelena’s combined love for flowers, education, and the beauty of life inspires those around her as she continuously reinvents how we experience flowers. Viola Floral workshops are so much more than a “flower class” — they are a sharing of joy and love, a reminder of our connection to nature, and a practice of self-care and self-love.
Elise Piatkowski, master floral designer and instructor
Weary of the daily grind of commuting to her Manhattan office job, Elise sought a change. With the support of friends and the invaluable guidance of talented mentors, she transformed a passion for floral design into a full-time profession.
Almost a decade later, Elise has honed her skills and cultivated a distinctive, authentic style. Her expertise spans a diverse range of projects, from intimate gatherings to grand-scale events. Beyond her own creative endeavors, she enjoys sharing her knowledge through workshops and teaching experiences at Viola Floral.
hear from our students
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Flower School in Santa Monica
Do I need experience to attend flower arranging classes in Santa Monica?
No experience is required. Viola Flower School welcomes all skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced creatives. Our instructors guide each participant step by step and provide individualized feedback throughout the class.
Can I book a private flower arranging workshop?
Yes. We offer private flower arranging workshops for celebrations, corporate events, team-building, and special gatherings. Private bookings are available at our Santa Monica studio located at 916 Colorado Avenue. We can also host private workshops at a location of your choice, including your home or office.
Where do the workshops take place?
All sessions are held inside the Viola Floral studio in Santa Monica at 916 Colorado Avenue. Viola Floral is a fully functioning professional flower shop, giving students the opportunity to learn in a real-world environment.
How long are the flower workshops?
Workshop length varies by class, but most floral workshops last between 1.5 to 3 hours. Bloom Academy masterclasses are multi-day immersive programs.