YOLA GUZ, aifd,cfd
Mrs. Yola Guz, a very well known Profesional Floral Designer from the Dominican Republic initiated her floral career in her native country at age 19.
Her initial studies in Floral Design took place in Santo Domingo at the Learning Institute for Youth and continue in the Vocational Training School, Trinidad Sanchez in 1989. Two years later she studied at the University for Arts, Enrique Urena where she took advanced courses in Ikebana, Garden Landscaping and Event Planning. In 1992 Yolanda was awarded high honors in her Event Planning courses and won a design competition with her interpretation of a Country Wedding. Yola has further her Floral Design studies by attending Texas A&M University in March 2006. Internationally she has studied with the great master designer Gregor Lersch from Germany, Robert Koene from Greece, Hitomi Gilliam, Jim Johnson and Nancy Kitchen from the USA. Recognizing Yola’s talents Mr. Gregor Lersch invited her to work with him on several floral projects in Germany in August 2005.
Other honors include her 1st prize of a design competition at a prestigious Flower Fair of the Dominican Republic in 1998 with her interpretation of a Typical Flower Stand. Her creativity, imagination and technical ability enable her to acquire such a distinction.
From 1996 to 1998 she was the floral speaker and commentator for the well known TV program Interior Decorating that was aired once a week.
In 1999 Yolanda was the organizer of a major Floral Education Show that took place in Santo Domingo.
Her leadership and creativity were instrumental in the success of the event. This event was attended by more than 400 local floral professional.
Yola has been the owner of retail flower shops, educator, commentator, promoter of floral products and the event planner for three of the major hotels in her country. These are the "Hamaca Hotel", the Renaissance "Jaragua", and the Occidental "Embajador". Her responsibilities at these 5 star hotels included the floral decorations for the lobbies and all the landing areas including all the restaurants. Also, she was responsible for decorating all European destination and local weddings and corporate events that took place at the hotels.
In 2002, Yola immigrated to the USA looking for bigger opportunities and new professional challenges.
At the present time she is part of the JIM MARVIN DESIGNER OUTLET design team where she is putting to work all her experience as a creative designer and her solid managerial abilities. She is responsible for designing International Floral Weddings with her husband Ruben Consa.
In December 2005 Yolanda was part of the floral creative team that created 12 floral floats at the prestigious Rose Parade of Pasadena California. Of the 12 floral floats decorated 9 won distinguished awards.
On July 2010 Yola Guz was inducted to active membership of the prestigious American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD).
An organization of about 2000 members worldwide dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professionalism through public education of floral design. Membership is selective and if is offered only to floral designers who have exhibited great technical skills and artistic ability. When AIFD appears after a designer’s name it means that the designer is committed to excellence in floral design. Yola is the 1st ever Dominican designer inducted into the Institute.
Currently Yola is involved with her husband Ruben Consa managing the JIM MARVIN DESIGNER OUTLET in Miami. She is also involved in putting together International Floral Shows demonstrations and design workshops all over Latin America.
