Courses
Bloom your floral arrangement skills with our variety of floral courses. You’ll learn the art of using flowers to design beautiful arrangements. Whether you’re looking to be a master florist or simply just want to grow your floral skills, these courses are perfect for you. You don’t even need to have a green thumb!
Spring Beginner Course
Course begins Saturday, January 13, 2024
When: Saturdays 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
BW Wholesale Flowers, 2647 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
$750.00 per student
(covers course instruction and materials)
Class requires pre-registration and payment in full.
Need a payment plan? Please contact us today to ask about payment plan options and scholarships.
Class #1
Topic: The Basic’s
Tools, Terminology, and Design Basics
Design Class: Create a one-sided floral arrangement and learn how to make bows
Shop Talk: Career choices in the floral industry
Class #2
Topic: Centerpieces
Types, Styles, and Seasonal Options
Design Class: Create a fixed stem all around arrangement
Shop Talk: How to design on a budget
Class #3
Topic: Mass Arrangement and Bud Vases
Terminology and Construction Secrets
Design Class: Create a larger one-sided mass arrangements
Shop Talk: Taking an order and other customer service tips
Class #4
Topic: Water Arrangements
Large and Small Hand Tied Centerpieces
Design Class: Create a dozen roses arranged in water, boxed rose techniques
Shop Talk: Flower shop etiquette
Class #5
Topic: All About Plants
Learn about green and flowering plants; identify and care of plants; repotting techniques
Design Class: Preparing a dish garden
Shop Talk: Importance of knowing what we sell
Class #6
Topic: Personal Flowers
How to create corsages, boutonniere’s and prom flowers
Design Class: Create corsages, bouts, & arm bouquets
Shop Talk: Florist pitfalls; community involvement; define personal goals
We can’t wait to be part of your floral design career. Regristration closes January 6, 2024, reserve your spot today!
Spring Advanced Course
Beginner Course is a recommended prerequisite.
Course begins Saturday, March 2, 2024
When: Saturdays 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
BW Wholesale Flowers, 2647 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
$700.00 per student
(covers course instruction and materials)
Class requires pre-registration and payment in full.
Need a payment plan? Please contact us today to ask about payment plan options and scholarships.
Class #1
Topic: Brief Review of Beginner Class; Introduction to Line Design and Ikebana, The Japanese Floral Art Form
Design Class: Ikebana arranging with a kenson, L and crescent shape designs
Shop Talk: Floral Design in relationship to their purpose and setting
Class #2
Topic: Line Designs Continue with Hogarth Curve, European Vegetative Designs
Design Class: Create a Hogarth style arrangement and a vegetative centepiece
Shop Talk: Historical flower arrangments and their influences on today’s designs
Class #3
Topic: Free Style Arrangement and Working with Color
Design Class: Working with product and creating a free style arrangement is the challenge; Experimenting with color blocks and other techniques
Shop Talk: How today’s styles of decor influence flower designs
Class #4
Topic: Dried Flowers
Design Class: How to dry and preserve flowers, create a dried arrangement in the designers’ choice of container and style
Shop Talk: The language of flowers– how and why it developed and how it can relate to todays world
Class #5
Topic: Mirror Image Design
Design Class: How to design for large spaces. Design two matching, yet opposite, arrangements
Final Class: A design challenge
If you’ve already taken our beginners course, this one’s for you! Registration closes February 24, 2024.
Professional Series
If you have taken one of Pennsylvania Floral Academy’s classes in the past or are currently working in the floral industry, our professional series is for you. Join us to expand your expertise beyond daily arrangements. Get creative and explore new techniques in a pressure free hands-on learning environment. In addition to improving your designs, learn how to turn your passion into a profitable business with coaching from a professional with 40+ years of industry experience.
All classes held at BW Wholesale Flowers, 2647 Smallman Street; Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Funeral Flowers Mini-Course
Class will be held Sunday, April 14, and Sunday, April 21, 2024
*Students are required to attend both sessions to complete the course*
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
BW Wholesale Flowers, 2647 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
$450 includes all materials and instruction
Class requires pre-registration and payment in full. Class size is limited
This course begins at a local funeral home to discuss and learn the behind-the-scenes mechanics and placement of funeral flowers. Returning to BW Wholesale, students will construct an overhead lid, foot and standing sprays along with matching urns and more. All aspects of sympathy work will be demonstrated and discussed as well as the latest trends and styles.
Upon completion of this 12-hour course, a professional Pennsylvania Floral Academy certificate will be achieved.
Registration closes on April 10, 2024, reserve your spot today to get started!