Instructors

Design Instructors

Vince Petrovsky AAF, AIFD
Heaven and Earth Floral, West Palm Beach, Florida

Born in San Francisco, California, I grew up in a climate rich in beautiful flowers and plants.  My father was an artist and avid gardener.  His passion for plants and art spilled over to me.  As a child I loved gardening, taking control of the front yard to display my talents to the admiring neighbors.  In school when projects were assigned I always chose an artistic direction.

My floral career began during high school, in January 1981, when I took an evening job in a “Flowers by Sears” concession in a shopping mall.  I remember making my very first commercial arrangement and knew I was hooked on floral design!  This was my first calling.  I loved making arrangements and discovered all of my talents as a person can be used daily as a designer & businessman.  Floral design combines my love of plants & flowers and my creative artistic talent.  Following high school I attended California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo for 4 years.  I majored in ornamental horticulture and was very active in The Gordon Student Chapter of the American Institute of Floral Designers.  The O.H. Department awarded me “Outstanding Senior” for 1985.  Upon completion I moved to sub-tropical South Florida.

In Florida I have worked in retail flower shops, one decorative accessory/silk flower store, and designed and maintained a garden for weddings for a catering company.  I’ve also have had wonderful experiences as a free-lance designer.  In 1988 I was accepted as a member of AIFD.  I’ve attended numerous National Symposiums and have participated actively behind the stage and have assisted with one program.  In 1996 I was blessed to purchase an existing flower shop, which I re-named Heaven & Earth Floral, to represent the creative unity from which my talents flow.

In 2003 I won the Florida State Florists’ Association Designer of the Year.  In 2004 I won “The Holland Cup” in New York City and won Southern Retail Florists’ Association Designer of the Year.  In 2005 the Society of American Florists recognized my contributions as an outstanding citizen & floral designer by inducting me into the American Academy of Floriculture.  In 2008 I was fortunate to be on the SAF Design Team for their annual convention.

John Klingel AAF, AIFD, PFCI
SouthFloridaCenter for Floral Studies, West Palm BeachFlorida

Mr. Klingel has recently added published author to his professional resume. “The Frugal Florist Do-it-Yourself Flowers on a Budget ®” is a how-to book empowering the entry-level designer through simple, step-by-step instructions, pictures and diagrams.  The at-home arranger can also visit www.frugalflorist.biz to purchase books and The Frugal Florist branded design kits, floral products and accessories to create arrangements from the book.