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.
Floral Experiences
Flowers and Mindfulness
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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.
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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.
How much do flower arranging workshops cost?
Our workshops range from $75 to $395 depending on the experience. Seasonal flower arranging workshops start at $185 and include all materials, premium seasonal blooms, and a finished arrangement to take home. Specialty experiences like Yoga & Flowers start at $75, and our Advanced Design Series ranges from $225 to $395 for those looking to deepen their skills. For private flower arranging workshops, please contact us directly using the Inquiry Form or call us at (310) 425-2422. You can view current pricing and availability on each workshop listing above.
What's included in a Viola Flower School workshop?
Every workshop includes hands-on instruction from our team of professional floral designers, all tools and materials, and a seasonal selection of premium blooms. You'll learn foundational or advanced techniques (depending on the class), and you'll leave with a finished arrangement you designed yourself. We also cover flower care tips so your creation lasts as long as possible. Refreshments and light bites are always included. Just bring yourself and something comfortable to wear, and layers as the studio can get cold in the Fall and Winter months.
Do you offer corporate team-building or private group workshops?
Yes. Private workshops are one of the most popular things we do. Companies book them for team-building, client appreciation events, and milestone celebrations. We also host bridal showers, birthday parties, and friend group gatherings. The minimum for private groups is 6 people, but private workshops are offered as well for $500 for the hour, for two people. Workshops are customized around your theme, color palette, or occasion, or what you're looking to learn specifically. We've partnered with many brands like Goop, Netflix, Dior Beauty and Brunello Cucinelli on collaborative workshop experiences, and we invite you to reach out for your company gathering. We work with groups of all sizes. Please fill out the Inquiry Form or call the studio at (310) 425-2422 to start planning.
Can I give a flower workshop as a gift?
A workshop makes a beautiful, memorable gift for birthdays, Mother's Day, bridal showers, or for any occasion, for anyone who loves flowers. Gift certificates are available for any dollar amount. You can purchase one online, by calling the studio at (310) 425-2422, or visiting us at 916 Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica. We're happy to help you choose the right experience.
What types of flowers will I work with in class?
You'll design with the same premium, seasonal blooms we use in our studio arrangements for our daily orders and events. Depending on the season and the workshop, that might include garden roses, peonies, ranunculus, lisianthus, seasonal greenery, and other specialty stems. We source fresh flowers each day, so every class features a slightly different palette and recipe. In fact, the recipes never repeat. Part of the experience is learning to work with what the season offers, and gaining exposure to blooms you typically wouldn't see.