Interview With Inna Makeeva

Tell us how you selected the exhibitors and what are the main selection criteria?

When selecting participants, we were not guided by the titles and regalia of the applicants. The main criterion is the inimitable handwriting of the master, original technique of performance, high skill and own style. After all, the main goal of the exhibition is to show the whole variety of floristic collage. That is why florists from all over Russia are among the exhibitors: Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Vladimir, St. Petersburg and, of course, Moscow. In addition, we tried to select people close in spirit. It was important for us to create a warm, friendly atmosphere of the exhibition and imbue it with the spirit of floral poetry. Therefore, poetry was sounded at the presentation, a flower quiz was held, and then it continued at the poetry evening “Flower Poems and Me”.

Which of the participants would you like to highlight?

Everyone. They are all winners, they are all the first, all the best. Each in his own technique, in his own style, in his own direction. As one of the participants put it, our exhibition is "the Russian team for floral collage." Any creativity is a reflection of the human soul. We cannot say that this soul is better than that.

The first responses to the Floristic Sketches exhibition acknowledge its relevance and relevance. What is an indicator of the success of the exhibition for you ?

First of all, the level of skill of the participants; this is the defining indicator. After all, hundreds and hundreds of visitors went to the masters. They were not only from Moscow, but from all over Russia. They even came from Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Master classes also gave their results - a lot of people wishing to learn floristry. In my opinion, the exhibition was a success. This is evidenced by at least the fact that there are already registered for the next exhibition in 2008. Now the exhibition "Floristic sketches" will be held annually. In addition, we have created the Club of Floristic Collage Masters, whose members will be able to jointly participate in various projects and exhibitions. Of course, our partners contributed to the success of the exhibition. I would especially like to thank Anastasia Troitskaya, President of the Golden Bouquets of Russia Association, Lydia Vasilievna Urubkova, Director of the Art Library named after Bogolyubov,Cultural Center "Green Line" and, of course, our favorite magazine "Flowers".

Inna, you are the head of one of the best floristry schools - the Florissima Flower School. Tell us about the specifics of your school

Over the nine years of our school's existence, we have accumulated vast experience in training florists. We train florists for work in shops and salons. After completing the basic courses, our students can work independently and earn money. This is achieved thanks to an individual approach (groups of no more than five people) and the practical orientation of our classes. Classes are taught by teachers with vast experience, including famous florists, members of the Union of Artists, the Union of Designers. The basic course is built on a modular basis and includes courses on making bouquets, compositions, a collage course and a course in wedding floristry. For those who have successfully completed the basic course, we help with employment, as well as offer improvement courses on various topics. The course programs are constantly expanding and improving in accordance with the requirements of the time.

When working with regions, we take into account their peculiarities and draw up special programs for them. Among the listeners of our courses are not only Muscovites, but also residents of all of Russia (from Vladivostok to Kaliningrad), Kazakhstan, Ukraine and … Cyprus.

Of course, we are not confined to academic work. We participate in various charitable programs. In addition, the Florissima school is an official partner of the Golden Bouquets of Russia project, as well as a partner of the Yunaya Moskvichka creative competition for high school girls.