The Canadian Academy of Floral Art
Examination Procedure For Membership
The Canadian Academy of Floral Art recognizes floral design as an art form and honours those
with the ability to take their skill and creativity a level beyond that of the everyday and
transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Membership is obtained through a series of photographs and an on-site testing of artistic
abilities. A screening committee chosen by the Academy reviews each applicant. A decision
will be made to determine if your design capabilities are at a level to allow you to
participate in the examination.
The decision of the screening committee will be final and no discussion will be entered
into between the candidate and any member of the screening committee or the administration.
An example of the Phase One Judging sheet can be viewed and printed from the link below. Click here for Phase One Judging Form
Applicants must submit one unaltered 5"x7"* professional colour photograph
in each of the following five categories.
* any photograph other than a 5"x7" format will be disqualified.
Each category is structured to allow YOU to be as creative as YOU want to be!!!
PHOTOGRAPHS MUST BE PRESENTED IN THE OFFICIAL CAFA PORTFOLIO SUPPLIED BY THE ACADEMY.
Do not write, cut or place any identifying marks on the photographs or in the descriptions
supporting each design. This includes initials, store logos etc. Identification will render
the portfolio unable to be judged. Each photograph must be accompanied by legible description.
Please supply a 5"x7" photograph of yourself on the first page of your portfolio.
Please fill in the biography sheet and submit it with your application.Click Here to get form.
The Academy will retain the portfolio until after the final judging, at which time it will be
returned to the applicant.
The attached application must be returned with a cheque or money order for $145.00.
Upon receipt, an official CAFA portfolio will be sent to you. Portfolios must be submitted
by January 31st of the following year.
NOTE: There is only one submission date in each calendar year. You may resubmit up to
two categories that have been deemed unacceptable by the screening committee. The date
for resubmission is March 31st of the same year as the original submission. A fee of
$25.00 per category will apply for resubmission.
If in the event three or more photographs do not pass the criteria required by the screening
committee, you are ineligible for resubmission. You may however apply for a new portfolio the
following year. You will be notified of the results of your resubmission.
Upon successfully finishing Phase I, the candidate has a period of five years from date of
portfolio presentation to complete Phase II without having to resubmit portfolio.
The on-site examination is traditionally held at the University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada)
on the first Saturday of June, but location & date may be subject to change.
CAFA reserves the right to use all material submitted for their own purposes, including republication and distribution to others. CAFA shall be free to use such material on an unrestricted basis.
CANADIAN ACADEMY OF FLORAL ART
EXAMINATION PROCEDURE FOR MEMBERSHIP
THIS EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF FIVE PARTS
A. The Surprise Package
B. Designer's Choice
C. Wedding Bouquet
D. Body Flowers
E. Expression of Sympathy OR Permanent Flowers*
*Please note for Part E. Expression of Sympathy will be required on uneven years,
Permanent Flowers will be required on even years.
The examination will start promptly at 10:00 a.m. local time and must be completed by
1:00 p.m. local time, a total of three (3) hours.
The examination room will be open at 9:00 a.m. to allow for the assembly of prop materials,
the wiring and taping of the Wedding Bouquet and Body Flowers and the organization of
containers, the foaming of containers and the organization of fresh materials. NO cutting
of fresh material is permitted except for the Body Flowers. Applicants are to bring the
following supplies: wire, tape, glue gun, glue pan and tools etc.
A. SURPRISE PACKAGE
1. All flowers, containers, materials including foam will be supplied.
2. A theme will be announced at the start of the examination.
3. This design must be completed in thirty (30) minutes and will be the first design in the
examination.
The candidate must only use the materials supplied to them.
No other additional decorative accessories will be allowed for the surprise package.
B. DESIGNER'S CHOICE
1. All flowers and materials will be supplied by the participant.
2. All flowers and plant material must be fresh or natural for example bark, moss,
branches
3. The use of props are allowed. *Please note that CAFA will not be responsible for any
props.
4. There are no size or value restrictions however, the judges will evaluate the design on
fresh material as the predominate factor and the props as complimentary to the fresh
material.
C. WEDDING BOUQUET
1. All floral and plant material will be fresh and supplied by the participant.
2. There will be no restriction in size or value.
3. The wedding bouquet can be constructed in a traditional or contemporary method. The
applicant should supply a bouquet stand or support.
D. BODY FLOWERS
1. All flowers and materials will be fresh and supplied by the participant.
2. The body flowers, example, corsage, hairpiece, boutonniere must contain some
wiring and taping.
E. EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY
*Required on uneven years
1. All flowers and material will be supplied by the participant.
2. The use of props is allowed.
OR
E. PERMANENT FLOWERS
*Required on even years.
1. All materials will be supplied by the participant.
2. Material will include silk like, dried materials and/or artificial material.
3. Props are allowed.
4. There are no size or value restrictions.
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. The examination will be three hours, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. local time.
2. The SURPRISE PACKAGE design will be the first to be completed within a 30 minute time
period.
3. Applicants are to supply wire, tape, tools, containers, glue guns, glue trays, aprons,
paper towels, etc.
4. Please be considerate of others when using spray paints & spray adhesives. Their use is
not encouraged so please keep it to a minimum.
5. The examination room will be open at 9:00 a.m. to foam containers and organize materials.
6. A copy of the Phase Two Judging sheet can be viewed and printed from the link below. Click here for Phase Two Judging Form
1. Assembly of fresh products can only occur during the examination period.
2. No wiring or taping, with the exception of Wedding Bouquet and Body flowers.
3. No pre-cutting of fresh materials for design purposes.
4. All flowers and plant material must be fresh except when a Permanent Design is required.
5. Any questions that arise during the examination preparation time or during the examination itself, can be answered by any of the monitors available in the examination room.
6. Each applicant is responsible for doing their own prep work.
A non-refundable fee of $200.00 must be submitted by the applicant by May 1st. Payable to the Canadian Academy of Floral Art. Failure to submit payment on time will jeopardize your place in this years' examination.
The decision of the judges is final. The judges will remain anonymous.
Candidate MUST pass THREE categories in order to qualify for resubmission of one or two
categories. Failure to pass three categories will result in all five pieces being
resubmitted. You have a period of five years from date of portfolio presentation to
complete Phase II, provided an attempt is made each year.
A fee of $25.00 will apply for each category resubmitted, $50.00 for the Surprise Package
category. Full resubmission (5 category) cost is $200.00.
Resubmission must happen at the next years' examination process.
NOTE:
Candidates have a period of five years from presentation of portfolio to complete both
phases. Once phase I is completed, you may resubmit phase II for the time period without
having to resubmit portfolio. Candidate must make an attempt each year in order to maintain
eligibility.
In phase II, you have only the first year to resubmit two pieces that did not meet the
requirements. After the first attempt, you must resubmit all five pieces (within the
allotted time frame) until you successfully pass all five.
All successful applicants become members of the Canadian Academy of Floral Art and may add
the designation CAFA to their name.
Canadian Academy of Floral Art
Local telephone number: 519-836-5495
Toll Free number: 1-800-698-0113
Fax number: 519-836-7529 email: cafa@cafachat.com www.cafachat.com
