ADULT COMMUNITY EDUCATION | WORKSHOP | 2.5 HOURS (Evening)
Sorry, this workshop has been cancelled.
Enjoy the magic of autumn with Katherine Olmstead, Canadian International Master Florist, in a hands-on floral design workshop where pumpkins become your vessel. Learn techniques to scoop, prepare, and design directly into a full, real pumpkin using seasonal blooms, mossy branches, ornamental gourds, wispy grasses, cool-textured foliage, and other natural treasures. This workshop will be a fun, relaxed evening of creative "play" and learning as you craft your own artful, one-of-a-kind centerpiece.
Workshop Highlights:
- All tools and materials provided
- Halloween treats and seasonal refreshments
- Step-by-step instruction rooted in European floral techniques and botanical storytelling
- Pumpkin-specific design techniques, including scooping, gridding, and arranging materials for stability and longevity
- Focus on texture, colour, shape, seasonality, and the interplay between living, dried, and freshly cut elements
- Learn material knowledge, design composition, and practical floral design skills
- Suitable for professional florists, floral hobbyists, and creatives of all levels
- Take home your finished, artful pumpkin centerpiece
Additional Info:
- Feel free to bring small personal decorations or your own tools to customize your arrangements
Your registration includes all-day admission to the Gardens at HCP (9:00-3:30 last entry)
Date & Location
Saturday October 25, 6:00-8:30 pm
The Classroom at the Gardens at HCP, 505 Quayle Road, Saanich
Fees & Registration
$80.00 HCP Members
$95.00 Non-Members Interested in Membership?
REGISTER ONLINE or call 250 479 6162
Instructor Bio: Katherine Olmstead IMF
Katherine Olmstead is a floral designer, horticulturist, and marketing strategist based in Victoria, British Columbia. In 2023, she became the first Canadian to earn the title of International Master Florist, graduating from the Boerma Institute in the Netherlands under the mentorship of Gregor Lersch, a globally celebrated floral artist.
Originally from Toronto, Katherine draws inspiration from her diverse travels and the natural beauty of her home on Vancouver Island. She is passionate about blending her botanical knowledge with artistic creativity to design sustainable and innovative floral pieces for events, creative projects, wearable fresh floral fashion, and installations.
Katherine is enthusiastic about promoting sustainability and sharing her expertise through teaching and mentorship. Her workshops offer participants a chance to connect with local nature, develop artistic skills, and explore their creativity in a welcoming, hands-on environment. When she’s not designing in a studio or working in a local flower shop, Katherine enjoys experimenting with other artforms and types of expression to add on to her floral toolbelt.
