Working with flowers and plants has always been a lifelong dream for Gary. After obtaining his B.Sc in Horticultural Science and M.Sc in Crop Science from the University of Guelph, Gary went on to successfully pass the CAFA (Canadian Academy of Floral Arts) and AIFD (American Institute of Floral Designers) exams. In addition, Gary had also taken short floral design training classes in Lyons, France and Aalsmeer, the Netherlands. In 2016, Gary completed his post-grad diploma in Garden Design with distinction from the Inchbald School of Design in London, UK.

In 1997, Gary launched Convallaria Floral Design in Toronto. He has successfully created a brand around his superb design ability, thus establishing himself not only as a well sought after floral designer amongst his clients, but also within the floral industry. His strong design ability as well as his indepth knowledge of indoor and outdoor plants, have given him the opportunity to grow the garden design aspect of the business. Convallaria Floral Design was rebranded to inTuin Design (tuin means garden in Dutch) in 2015 to focus on garden design & events.

Enticed by the prospect of designing and planting gardens during the winter months, Gary has decided to expand his business to the warmer south and launched his new botanical goods boutique and garden design studio - Piante - in Winter Park, Florida in November 2017.

Jess is a graduate from the University of Georgia and has her Bachelors of Landscape Architecture. She has 10+ years experience in the landscape architecture profession with a keen eye for design and love for all things planting, sustainability, and conservation. She is excited to join the garden design team to help grow both the residential and commercial portfolios.

When she isn't designing, she loves to lift weights, walk her dog, paint/ draw/ anything crafty, and hang out with friends.

Avery loves the outdoors! He loves plants and greenery, and being part of Piante garden design installation team brings him a sense of pride to see the designs come alive when the projects are completed!

During his spare time, he loves staying active, listening to music and watching anime!

After a short career in politics and hotel sales, Sue focused on raising her family of three children, volunteering in community, school and church events.

She has always had a love of floral and garden design as well as photography and travel. Raised in New England, she grew up with a real appreciation for the outdoors and nature. Sue moved to Winter Park in 2018 from Southern California and is excited to join the Piante team and dive into the botanical world.

When Sue is not at the shop, you can find her on the tennis court or running half marathons with friends and traveling.

If you look at Rubes hands, you see green thumbs AND green fingers. Enter his apartment and you’ll be transported to a small jungle. His passion for plants is like no other, with the exception of his art. He’s a master at photoshop and utilizes his graphic knowledge into his own work. He creates detailed self portrait photo manipulations that are very personal and reflects what goes on in his mind and his life.

During his spare time, he enjoys having having ceremonial tea time out in his patio, surrounded by nature with his cat, Stella.

Florida native, Tori, is a lover of art and nature. Before earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Photography at UCF she studied Fine Art and Photography at Valencia College and Daytona State College. After completing her studies and briefly working in the museum world, she relocated to her home town in Central Florida where she has continued her pursuit of the arts; owning and operating her own photography and videography business while spending her free time on personal creative projects.

For Tori, working at Piante studio and collaborating Piante’s versatile and talented team has been a delightful creative outlet aside from photography. When she’s not in the studio or at a photoshoot, you can find her curled up on the couch with her cat, crocheting, or playing guitar, or spending time on her patio tending to her plants.

Sinead is a Florida native born and raised in Orlando. Sinead has a passion for teaching, the outdoors, animals, plants, and all things creative! From film photography to scuba diving, she always makes her way to the outdoors. She is happiest at home with her houseplants and her precious dog George. When she isn’t at home or outside, she is helping patients and families as a nursing supervisor.

With four years as a pottery instructor at the Casselberry Art House, Emma’s joy comes from helping individuals bring their artistic aspirations to life. While she personally specializes in creating wheel-thrown pieces, she has experience guiding students in both wheel and hand-building techniques, nurturing creativity and skill development.

Apart from teaching, Emma runs the kiln, ensuring all her students pieces are properly fired. Outside the studio, she also handles the practical aspects, such as actively marketing her own classes at art events. Additionally, she showcases and sells her own work in these settings. This dual involvement allows her to contribute to the pottery community while sharing her creations with a broader audience.

Sarah Johnston is a native from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a second-generation artist that attended precollege courses at Carnegie Mellon University and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a focus in Ceramics from Temple University, Tyler School of Art. She was trained in realistic drawing techniques, printmaking, and ceramics. Sarah has been teaching and creating for over 20 years and loves introducing others to clay and creating of any kind.

Sarah uses color, pattern, and form to express the joys and challenges of interpersonal relationships and her own mental health through her art. She is passionate about the crucial link between individual expression and mental and physical health and believes that art and expression of any kind has the power to heal. In addition to teaching at Piante Design, she is the Executive Director of Community Clay Connections, which is a nonprofit that teaches clay-based art classes that focus on mindfulness and self-care. She also sells her home décor and handmade tiles online and at various local shops in Central Florida.