Judging Schools
Floral Design and Horticulture Judging & Exhibiting Schools
The 1st School for Judges and Exhibitors of Flower Arranging, the first of its kind in Canada, was conducted in 1956-1958 in Toronto. Design judges continued to graduate from Floral Design Schools in: 1963, 1971, 1980, 1996, 2006, and 2016.
The Royal Botanical Gardens, with encouragement from the Garden Clubs of Ontario, undertook the training of Horticulture judges. Schools were completed in 1967, 1976, 1986, 1999 and 2011. Schools alternate between design and horticulture with each being held approximately every 10 years. Schools include a series of six 3 day sessions, spread over 3 years. Sessions are taught by accredited judges and plant experts. All Schools take place at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington. The Garden Clubs of Ontario 8th School for Floral Design Judges, Instructors, and Exhibitors
The Judges Council of the Garden Clubs of Ontario will be organizing a Design Judging School starting in April 2025 and consisting of an expected five sessions, with graduation to occur in 2027.
The dates for all sessions have been booked at Landscape Ontario, 7856 Fifth Line, Milton, Ontario, K9T 2X8 Session 1: April 9 -11, 2025
Session 2: September 17-19, 2025 Session 3: May 6-8, 2026 Session 4: October 28-30, 2026 Session 5: June 9-11, 2027 In the past, in addition to learning about the planning, organization and running of a flower show, students have had sessions on schedule writing, judging ethics, plant identification, specific lectures on judging various types of designs (traditional, modern, abstract, miniature, table, and more), as well as information about exhibiting and teaching.
Each learning session will be $100.00 to help offset the cost of paying for materials, lecturers, etc. If you are interested in attending, please send in your name and contact information to Marie Decker mardecker12@gmail.com . During the course of the School, each student will be expected to bring entries for the in-house flower shows and practice judging purposes. Please watch for this request which will come in the course mailings. You will receive complete instructions as to what you are expected to bring. A ‘first’ (or red ribbon) in this flower show will count as one of the required ‘firsts’ for completion of the requirements of the course. Admission Requirements:
A Judging Certificate will be awarded by The Garden Clubs of Ontario to those students who successfully complete the course and meet the following requirements: Examinations: Successfully pass all written and judging examinations, each of which requires a passing mark of 70%. Students who do not meet the passing requirements may continue in the school. Supplemental examinations will be held after the completion of the 6th session for those students who fail or are unavoidably absent for no more than three written examinations and two judging examinations. Judging: Provide proof of having judged the Design Division with an accredited GCO judge, during the three year term (2025-2027) of the school, and in at least 2 different localities: of five (5) flower shows with standard show schedules, three of which must fulfil the standard show requirements of having the minimum number of exhibits. Exhibiting: Provide proof of having won three (3) First Prizes (red ribbons) at three (3) different standard shows during the term of the school. Shows must be judged by accredited GCO judges. Provide proof of having exhibited at six (6) shows (need not be standard shows) during the term of the school. Exhibits must be in two (2) diversified design classes each year and at different shows. One of the 6 credits may be for a class in the Special Exhibits Division. Shows must be judged by accredited GCO judges. Verification Cards or Credential Cards will be given to you at the first session of the school. Administration: Serve on a flower show committee during the term of the school as Chair of one or more of the following committees: Show Chair, Staging Chair, Schedule Chair, Judges Chair, etc. Provide a schedule listing the flower show committee on which you served. This schedule must be signed by the President of the club or society or the Flower Show Chair. |
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Design Judging School
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