A Dream in Bloom: Teaching at the New York Botanical Garden
I am absolutely honored and delighted to announce that starting this fall, I am teaching at the prestigious New York Botanical Garden! This milestone is one I’ve been working toward for a long time, and it would never have been possible without you—my students, my family, my friends, my fellow faculty members, and the creative peers who have cheered me on at every step. You’ve each been a part of this journey, whether by taking a class, sharing my work, or simply believing in me.
Today also carries deep personal meaning. It would have been my grandmother’s 104th birthday. She passed away just 24 days ago, and I know in my heart she would be brimming with pride at this news. Announcing it today feels like a way of honoring her—a celebration of her fierce spirit and the joy she inspired in me.
A Van Gogh-Inspired Beginning
My first workshop at NYBG will be in collaboration with their current Van Gogh exhibition. I’ll be teaching Van Gogh’s Iris—a vibrant, bold flower to complement the garden’s artistic displays of sunflowers and sculptures inspired by the master himself. The two-day workshop will take place in October, and there are more exciting workshops ahead in sync with other exhibits (I can’t wait to share those soon!).
How This Bloomed Into Reality
Flowers have always been a part of my life, but something shifted the moment I started making them. I’d visited NYBG for exhibits—the dazzling Holiday Train Show, the breathtaking Orchid Show—but three years ago, one visit changed everything.
Standing in front of those orchids, I was overwhelmed by their beauty. That day, I became a NYBG member. Seeing flowers up close—not just in photographs—transformed my art. I began moving toward botanically accurate creations, petal by petal, day by day. NYBG, with over 130 years of history in celebrating and preserving plant life, became an unspoken mentor to me.
Last year, during the Orchid Show, I stopped at their “touch table,” where visitors could smell and explore orchids with a horticulture staff member. We started chatting, I showed her photos of my work, and she smiled and said, “Why don’t you teach here?”
It felt like a sign.
Persistence in Full Bloom
I applied. I didn’t make it past the resume stage. I followed up by email, by phone, offered to send samples, even to visit in person. Still no luck. How could a resume possibly capture the magic of what happens in a workshop? You, my students, know that what we create together can’t be reduced to bullet points.
That’s when I decided to channel my grandmother’s sass and courage. I made a bouquet of my handmade flowers, wrote a personal note, tucked in my resume, wrapped it in tissue and ribbon, and hand-delivered it to the head of Continuing Education.
A few days later, I got an email inviting me to discuss teaching at the Garden. I nearly fell off my chair.
The Roots of This Journey
It all began in 2019, when my friend Sarah was getting married and I became curious about sugar flowers. I practiced every single day that year. Even with my beginner’s skills, I applied to teach at The Art School at Old Church. They took a chance on me, scheduling my first class for March 2020—only for COVID to postpone everything until November. Since that first workshop, I’ve never looked back.
I am deeply grateful to the administrators who believed in me then, and to the students who kept returning, spreading the word to their friends, local libraries, and other art schools. A special thank-you to Teri Lieberman, Marjorie Copeland, and Barbara Grapin for being my champions.
This next chapter at NYBG feels like the perfect blend of passion, persistence, and community support. It’s a dream come true—and proof that bold moves, a little patience, and a lot of heart can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.
Thank you for being here.